Alternative Uses for Every Day Things and Natural Medicines

Tom's Disaster Preparations

Alternative Uses for Every Day Things and Natural Medicines

There are many things out there that have been designed for one use but work well in a variety of places and situations. For expamle we know dryer sheets kill static cling and are great for cleaning blinds, computer and TV Screens of dust. Coca Cola is a great rust breaker when working on nuts and bolts. Well on this page I have dug up all that I have received over the years. I place them here to help you in your day to day life as well as provide you with valuable info for emergency situations. You may not always have the prescribed things necessary to do a job but, that does not mean you have to give up. Like using a woman's sanitary knapkin for a large wound dressing there are always alternatives. It is my hope that you take these and learn to look at things in different ways. In that way you will not be without means to improvise. My goal is to turn everyone into McGyvers. That man could build a rocket ship to the moon with string, bubble gum and a little spit. That is the mentality you need to develop to make it through emergency situations that are sure to come.

Tips on alternative uses for everyday items. This takes up where the emergency kit tips leave off. With that said even some of these will help in building your emergency kit, bug out kit, or what ever you wish to call it. It is your stash of goodies that will see you through tough times when they come.

10 New Uses for Olive Oil

Olive oil is a good lubricant because its molecules easily slide past one another, thereby helping solid objects to overcome friction, says Wolke. It's film also fills up microscopic rough spots in surfaces, making them look polished and shiny.

Use Olive Oil to:

1. Shave. Olive oil can provide a closer shave when used in place of shaving cream.
2. Shine stainless steel. Many cleaning standbys, such as ammonia, can dull and even corrode chrome and stainless steel. Olive oil, however, is a safe and effective shining agent.
3. Remove eye makeup. Dab a little under the eyes and rinse off with a washcloth.
4. Prevent wax from sticking to a candle holder. Rub a thin coat on the base of the holder before inserting a candle. Dripped wax should peel away easily.
5. Care for your pet. Add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon to your cat's food to help prevent hair balls.
6. Moisturize cuticles. Apply a small amount of olive oil to the nail beds.
7. Treat dry skin. Rub a thin layer over the skin after a shower or a waxing.
8. Unstick a zipper. Using a Q-tip, apply a drop to lubricate the teeth. (Avoid touching the fabric.) The zipper should move up and down freely.
9. Dust wooden furniture. Apply a bit of oil to a cloth and wipe.
10. Silence squeaky doors. Lubricate hinges by applying a small dab to a cloth, then wiping the top of the hinges so that the oil runs down the sides.

10 New Uses for Lemon

Lemon juice is the strongest food acid in our kitchens, strong enough to make life unbearable for most bacteria, says Robert Wolke, professor emeritus of chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh and the author of What Einstein Told His Cook 2: The Sequel, Further Adventures in Kitchen Science (W. W. Norton, $26).

Use Lemon to:

1. Sanitize a chopping block. Run a slice of lemon over the surface to disinfect.
2. Eliminate the browning that occurs when food sits out too long. Sprinkle apple or pear slices with lemon juice before serving, or squeeze a bit into guacamole and give it a stir.
3. Remove tough food stains from plastic and light-colored wooden cutting boards. Slice a lemon in half, squeeze the juice onto the soiled surface, rub, and let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with water.
4. Fade tea stains on cloth. Dilute lemon juice with an equal amount of water. Use an eyedropper or a Q-tip to make sure the juice targets the stain. Thoroughly flush with cool water.
5. Decorate on the cheap. Fill a glass bowl with lemons for a sunny centerpiece. Or display a row of them along a windowsill.
6. Relieve a sore throat. Cut a lemon in half. Skewer one half over a medium flame on a gas stove or an electric burner set on high and roast until the peel turns golden brown. Let cool slightly, then mix the juice with 1 teaspoon of honey. Swallow the mixture.
7. Whiten fingernails. Rub a wedge on the surface of your nails.
8. Shine the interior of copper cookware. Sprinkle a lemon wedge with salt, then scrub.
9. Brighten laundry whites. Add 1/2 cup lemon juice to the wash cycle of a normal-size load.
10. Remove soft cheese or other sticky foods from a grater. Rub both sides of the grater with the pulp side of a cut lemon.

10 New Uses for Dryer Sheets

Static builds up when fabrics rub together and exchange electrons, says Behnam Pourdeyhimi, director of the Nonwovens Cooperative Research Center at North Carolina State University, in Raleigh. Dryer sheets contain positively charged ingredients that are released by heat and movement, such as the tumbling motion of the dryer. These ingredients bond loosely to any negatively charged fabric surface, such as a piece of clothing with static cling, neutralizing the charge and acting as a lubricant.

Use Dryer Sheets to:

1. Freshen smelly shoes. Insert a dryer sheet into the offending pair and let sit overnight.
2. Remove static from clothing, hair, TV screens, and computer monitors. Wipe the surface with a sheet.
3. Clean pet hair from the floor or furniture. Rub a dryer sheet over the spot where Fluffy left her fur.
4. Replace a sachet. Keep a dresser drawer smelling fresh and clean by placing a dryer sheet on the bottom of it.
5. Loosen caked-on food from a pan. Place a fresh sheet in the bottom of a dirty pan, fill with lukewarm tap water, and let sit in the sink overnight. The pan will be easier to clean in the morning.
6. Tackle suitcase and gym-bag odors. Place a dryer sheet in your suitcase or gym bag so your clean clothes won't take on the odors of the dirty ones.
7. Prevent old books from smelling musty when in storage. Stick a dryer sheet between the pages of your beloved copy of Pride and Prejudice.
8. Wipe up sawdust after working in the garage. Rub a dryer sheet over the fine wood particles.
9. Prevent thread from tangling when sewing. Run a threaded needle through a dryer sheet right before you begin your handiwork.
10. Dust venetian blinds. Close the blinds, then wipe up and down with a dryer sheet.

10 New Uses for Newspaper

Newspaper, by design, is a very absorbent product, because it has to absorb ink. But that also means it is equipped to absorb all sorts of moisture, including moisture and the resulting odors found in shoes, in vegetable drawers, and elsewhere, says Chris Morrissey, vice president of marketing for Sun Chemical, in Northlake, Illinois, the world's largest printing-ink manufacturer.

Use Newspaper to:

1. Deodorize food containers. Stuff a balled-up piece of newspaper into a lunch box or thermos, seal it, and let sit overnight.
2. Ripen tomatoes. Wrap them individually and leave them out at room temperature.
3. Pack delicate items.Wrap frames and figurines with several pieces of newspaper, then crumple the remaining sections to fill extra space in the box.
4. Wipe away tough streaks on glass. Use newspaper with cleaning fluid to clean mirrors and windows.
5. Preserve antique glass. Some older frames have finishes on the glass that can be damaged by cleaning solutions. Remove smudges by rubbing with newspaper dipped in a solution of one part white vinegar and one part warm water. Let air-dry.
6. Dry shoes. Place crumpled paper in them overnight.
7. Wrap gifts. Use the comics to wrap a child's birthday gift, or try the wedding announcements for an engagement gift.
8. Create a home for slushy snow boots. During the winter, keep a pile of newspaper near the entryway. When your little snowmen and -women come home, they can toss their winter wear onto the newspaper instead of creating puddles on the floor.
9. Prepare a garden. In the fall, mow a patch of lawn to make room for a dedicated bed. Cover it with four layers of newspaper, then a four-inch layer of shredded leaves or bark mulch. Hose it down. Come spring, the compost blanket will have smothered the grass roots, and the bed will be primed for planting.
10. Keep the refrigerator vegetable drawer dry and free of smells. Line the bottom with newspaper.

10 New Uses for Baking Soda

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, first hit the mass market in 1846, when Dr. Austin Church and John Dwight began selling their red-labeled soda packages. â€œNot only does baking soda neutralize odiferous fatty acids but it also attacks grease by turning it into a believe it or not soap, says the University of Pittsburghs Wolke. Fact: More than 100 tons of the refrigerator staple were used to clean the Statue of Liberty's inner copper walls during its 1986 restoration.

Use Baking Soda to:

1. Exfoliate skin. Wash your face, then apply a soft paste made of three parts baking soda and one part water. Massage gently with a circular motion, avoiding the eye area; rinse clean.
2. Erase crayon, pencil, ink, and furniture scuffs from painted surfaces. Sprinkle soda on a damp sponge, rub clean, and rinse.
3. Unclog a drain. Pour 1/2 to 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, then slowly pour 1/2 to 1 cup of white vinegar after it. Let sit for five minutes (covered, if possible). Follow with a gallon of boiling water.
4. Remove tough stains from enameled cast iron and stainless steel. Scrub enameled cast iron with a soft nylon brush and a thick paste of baking soda and water. Clean stainless steel with a soft cloth and 4 tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in 1 quart of water. Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
5. Scrub pans. Sprinkle soda on crusted casseroles and roasting pans and let sit for five minutes. Lightly scrub and rinse.
6. Brush teeth. Use a paste of baking soda and water.
7. Fight class-B fires (flammable liquids, such as gasoline, oil, and grease). Baking soda can be used to smother only a small flame.
8. Deodorize. Dust baking soda under your arms to absorb body odor.
9. Clean up minor oil and grease spills on a garage floor or driveway. Sprinkle baking soda on the spot and scrub with a wet brush.
10. Settle a stomach during occasional indigestion. Stir 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda into 1/2 cup of water and drink for a safe and effective antacid.

10 New Uses for Vinegar

Vinegar is a strong preservative because its acetic acid kills the microbes and bacteria that could cause food to spoil, says Michael Doyle, director of the Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia, in Griffin. it's also a good deodorizer the acid neutralizes basic compounds, such as those found in degrading meat, that can be volatile and unpleasant.

Use White Vinegar to:

1. Pinch-hit for lemon in a savory recipe. Use 1/2 teaspoon of vinegar in place of 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.
2. Remove coffee or tea stains from the bottom of a cup. Swish 2 tablespoons of vinegar around in the cup, then wash as usual.
3. Treat oily hair. Vinegar is a good degreaser for oily hair because it helps adjust pH levels. Shampoo your hair as usual, rinse, then pour 1/4 cup over it and rinse again.
4. Wipe salt stains off boots. Dip a cloth or an old T-shirt into vinegar, then wipe away the white residue.
5. Make wool sweaters fluffier. Drop in a couple of capfuls of vinegar during the rinse cycle for an extra-soft feel.
6. Deodorize a garbage disposal. Make vinegar ice cubes and feed them down the disposal. After grinding, run cold water through the drain.
7. Clean a teakettle or a coffeemaker. Boil a mixture of water and vinegar in a teakettle, then wipe away the grime. Fill the reservoir of a coffeemaker with a mixture of vinegar and water and run it through a brewing cycle. Follow this with several cycles of water to rinse thoroughly.
8. Clean a dishwasher. Once a month, with the machine empty, run a cup of vinegar through an entire cycle to reduce soap buildup on the inner mechanisms and glassware.
9. Remove stubborn price tags or stickers. Paint them with several coats of vinegar, let the liquid soak in for five minutes, then wipe away the residue.
10. Kill weeds between cracks in paving stones and sidewalks. Fill a spray bottle with straight vinegar and spray multiple times. (Be careful not to get any on the surrounding grass, as it will kill that too.)

10 New Uses for Coffee Filters

About 100 years ago, a German housewife named Melitta Bentz punctured the bottom of a brass pot, lined it with blotting paper, and voila made the first coffee filter. Almost a century later, a perfected version of Bentzs design is still used. Coffee filters aren't as likely to crumple or dissolve in water as typical paper because they have better wet strength, thanks to longer fibers, says Melinda McDonald, communications manager for Bunn, a beverage-equipment manufacturer. Additionally, the fluted sides and cupcake shape allow substances to flow through the filter freely and prevent grains from flowing over the sides.

Use Coffee Filters to:

1. Diffuse the flash on a camera. When you're taking a close-up, soften the brightness by placing a coffee filter over the flash.
2. Strain wine from a bottle with a broken cork. Place the filter over a pitcher or a carafe and slowly pour the wine into it.
3. Serve popcorn or other snacks. The filters act as disposable bowls, so there's no dishwashing.
4. Make yogurt dip. Use a rubber band to secure a paper coffee filter over the mouth of a deep cup or jar. Slowly pour 8 ounces of plain yogurt onto the filter. Let drain for one hour. In a bowl, mix the thickened yogurt with 1 small minced garlic clove, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with crackers.
5. Heat up leftovers in the microwave. Use a filter as the protective covering over a bowl or a plate.
6. Prevent soil from draining out of flowerpots. When repotting, place a filter at the bottom, over the drainage hole, then add the soil.
7. Prevent scuffs and scratches on fine china. Use flattened coffee filters as spacers when you stack your dishes.
8. Protect hands from Popsicle drippage. Slide the wooden stick of an ice pop through a coffee filter so your hands stay mess-free.
9. Serve pita sandwiches. A circular filter is the perfect size for carrying a sandwich on the go.
10. Clean windows and glass when you're out of paper towels. Coffee filters leave no lint or other residue.

10 New Uses for Ziploc Bags

In 1963 a unique bag with a plastic zipper seal was introduced at a packaging trade show. Most recently, the seals strength was demonstrated at a Riverton, Wyoming, school, where eighth-grade students discovered an uneaten sandwich in a Ziploc bag at the bottom of a locker. It had been there for months. Students were so impressed with the bags ability to seal in the odor (and mold growth) that they actually sent a thank-you letter (along with the sandwich) to the manufacturer, SC Johnson. In a letter back to the students, H. Fisk Johnson, the company chairman, called the locker one of the toughest product test sites we've ever discovered.â€ Good thing Mom didn't use wax paper.

Use Ziploc Bags to:

1. Knead dough. Place dough in a Ziploc bag so your fingers don't get sticky. Or slip your hand into the bag and wear it like a glove.

2. Store panty hose. Nude, Tan, Nearly Naked they look the same out of the package. Tear off the corner of the package listing the brand, size, and color, then slip it into a bag. Store each pair in its own bag to keep hose organized and prevent snags.
3. Remove chewing gum or candle wax from a tablecloth, a couch, or carpeting. Gently rub gum or wax with a Ziploc bag filled with ice cubes until the substance hardens. Shatter gum with a blunt object, then vacuum up the chips. Carefully peel off frozen wax with a plastic spatula.
4. Pipe frosting. Snip off a tiny corner to use a Ziploc as a pastry bag.
5. Store homemade soup. Fill up bags, then lay them flat in the freezer. When the bags of soup freeze flat, you'll be able to pile them up like stacked books for easy, space-saving storage.
6. Protect precious cargo. No bubble wrap? Slip a straw into the top of a nearly closed Ziploc bag and inflate. Remove the straw and seal to make a cushion. (Heirlooms, however, should wait for that bubble wrap.)
7. Break up graham crackers or vanilla wafers to make a piecrust. Fill a bag with the cookies, then roll a rolling pin over it.
8. Prevent a handbag from turning into a snow globe. Store pressed powder and other compacts in Ziploc bags.
9. Gather herbs from the garden. Before winter frost sets in, wash, pat dry, and freeze the herbs in Ziploc bags.
10. Ice an injury. Fill a bag with ice cubes to create a cold compress.

10 New Uses for Velcro

Velcro, whose name is a combination of the French words velour and crochet, was developed in the early 1940s, after Swiss inventor George de Mestral returned home from a walk with his dog and noticed that pesky cockleburs had stuck to his pants and his dog's coat. Examining the burrs under a microscope, de Mestral found the basis for a unique two-sided fastener one side with stiff hooks (like the burrs) and the other with soft loops (like the fabric of his pants).

Use Velcro to:

1. Hang pieces of art or photos on a wall. Stick several strips of Velcro to the wall and to the back of a lightweight frame.
2. Prevent a jacket or a blouse from gaping open. Sew small pieces of Velcro between the buttons to create a smooth surface.
3. Keep a rug in place. Stick pieces of Velcro to the floor and to the bottom of the rug.
4. Stop seat cushions from sliding off kitchen chairs. Place strips of Velcro on the chair and on the cushion.
5. Organize toys. Affix a Velcro strip to the wall and Velcro pieces to stuffed animals to make cleanup fun for toddlers.
6. Keep track of the remote. Use Velcro to attach the remote to the side of the TV when it's not in use.
7. Remove pills from sweaters. Use the hook side of Velcro to pull off pesky balls.
8. Restrain wayward cords. Keep them in one place with a strip of Velcro.
9. Keep a pen or paper handy. Place a small piece of Velcro next to a desk calendar and on a pen so you can jot down to-dos ASAP. In the car, stick a notepad to the dashboard or the door of the glove compartment and you always have paper for a brilliant thought or a last-minute errand.
10. Picnic in peace. Keep a tablecloth from flying away by applying Velcro to the underside of the cloth and to the picnic table.

11 New Uses for Salt

Think twice before you toss that spilled salt over your shoulder the flavor enhancer is incredibly useful. Salt has an affinity to water and can draw moisture out of many foods says Wolke. Grains of table salt are also very hard, which is why they act as a handy abrasive.

Use Salt to:

1. Make eggs or cream whip up faster and higher. Add a pinch of salt before beating.
2. De-ice sidewalks. In a pinch, it can be used as a substitute for rock salt.
3. Keep chicken or turkey moist. Rub salt in the cavity of the bird before cooking.
4. Prevent sauces made with eggplant or zucchini from getting watery. Sprinkle salt on these vegetables before cooking.

5. Eliminate sticky residue from an iron. Run the hot iron (no steam) over plain paper sprinkled with salt.
6. Clean drains. Pour a hot, strong solution (1/2 cup salt for every quart of water) down the drain.
7. Remove dirt from leafy vegetables, such as spinach. Wash the vegetables in a bath of salt water.
8. Prevent frost from accumulating inside car windows. Rub the glass with a solution of 2 teaspoons of salt in 1 gallon of hot water. Wipe dry.
9. Remove sangria and red-wine stains from your washables. Stretch the fabric over a bowl, cover the stain with salt, and carefully pour boiling water over it.
10. Keep shells from cracking when boiling eggs. Add a few pinches of salt to the water.

+ one more

11. Chill a bottle of bubbly fast. Place ice around its base in an ice bucket; sprinkle with a few tablespoons of salt. Layer salt and ice until they reach the neck. Fill with water. Wait 10 minutes; serve.

Facts on honey and cinnamon

It is found that a mixture of honey and cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a "Ram Ban" (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases.

Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada, in its issue dated 17 January, 1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES:
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process r elieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins.

ARTHRITIS:
Arthritis patients may take daily, morning, and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the pa tients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS:
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

TOOTHACHE:
Make a paste of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five teaspoons of honey and apply on the aching tooth. This may be applied three times a day until the tooth stops aching.

CHOLESTEROL:
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patie nts, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS:
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.

UPSET STOMACH:
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.

GAS:
According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that if honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM:
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION:
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

INFLUENZA:
A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural
Ingredient which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY:
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularl y, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increases and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

PIMPLES:
Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS:
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

WEIGHT LOSS:
Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one
cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER:
Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day.

FATIGUE:
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than! than being detrimental to the strength of the body.
Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has d one research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.

BAD BREATH:
People of South America, first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS:
Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restore hearing.

Uses for Peroxide

What Oxy Clean really is - 3% Hydrogen peroxide

This was written by Becky Ransey of Indiana

'I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain little old bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug store. My husband has been in the medical field for over 36 years, and most doctors don't tell you about peroxide, or they would lose thousands of dollars.'

1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. (I do it when I bathe)

No more canker sores and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash. (Small print says mouth wash and gargle right on the bottle)

2. Let your toothbrushe s soak in a cup of 'Peroxide' to keep them free of germs.

3. Clean your counters, table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters.

4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.

5. I had fungus on my feet for years - until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.

6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine, but was healed by soaking in peroxide.

7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.

8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, or plugged sinuses. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes then blow your nose into a tissue.

9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen grea tly.

10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. You will not have the peroxide burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages, but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, reddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually so it's not a drastic change.

11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.

12. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors with, and there is no smearing which is why I love it so much for this.

I could go on and on. It is a little brown bottle no home should be without! Wi th prices of most necessities rising, I'm glad ! there's a way to save tons of money in such a simple, healthy manner.

Send on to others who might need to know the benefits of 3% peroxide!!!

More uses for dryer sheets.........

US Postal service sent out a message to all letter carriers to put a sheet of Bounce in their uniform pockets to keep yellow-jackets away.

Use them all the time when playing baseball and

soccer.

1. All this time you've just been putting Bounce in

the dryer! It will chase ants away when you lay a

sheet near them. It also repels mice.

2. Spread sheets around foundation areas, or in

trailers, or cars that are sitting and it keeps mice

from entering your vehicle.

3. It takes the odor out of books and photo albums

that don't get opened too often.

4. It repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through

a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season.

5. Eliminate static electricity from your television

(or computer) screen.

6. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static

cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet

of Bounce to keep dust from resettling.

7. Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a

sheet of Bounce.

8. To freshen the air in your home - Place an

individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in

the closet.

9. Put Bounce sheet in vacuum cleaner.

10. Prevent thread from tangling. Run a threaded

needle through a sheet of Bounce before beginning to

sew.

11. Prevent musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet

of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing.

12. To freshen the air in your car - Place a sheet of

Bounce under the front seat.

13. Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a

sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight,

and sponge clean. The anti-static agent apparently

weakens the bond between the food and the pan.

14. Eliminate odors in wastebaskets. Place a sheet of

Bounce at the bottom of the wastebasket.

15. Collect cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet of

Bounce will magnetically attract all the loose hairs.

16. Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds.

Wipe the blinds with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust

from resettling.

17. Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering. A

used sheet of Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack

cloth.

18. Eliminate odors in dirty laundry. Place an

individual sheet of Bounce at the bottom of a laundry

bag or hamper.

19. Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of

Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight.

20. Golfers put a Bounce sheet in their back pocket to

keep the bees away.

21. Put a Bounce sheet in your sleeping bag and tent

before folding and storing them. It will keep them

smelling fresh.

Some other helpful hints for alternative uses and recycling...........

A sealed envelope - Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed.

        Use Empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.

    For icy door steps in freezing temperatures:get warm water and put Dawn dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze.    (wish I had known this for the last 40 years!)

    To remove old wax from a glass candle holder, put it in the freezer for a few hours. Then take the candle holder out and turn it upside down. The wax will fall out.

    Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped in baking soda. Comes off with little effort (elbow grease that is!).

    Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt BLUE!) rubbing alcohol on paper towel.

    Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to throw away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided that this would be much more economical. Now a box of S.O.S pads last me indefinitely!
In fact, I have noticed that the scissors get 'sharpened'' this way!

Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works every time!

    Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks.

    Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.

    Spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in each room when the light is turned on. NOTE: be very sparing with how much you use. As the light heats up it really releases the odors and they may become to strong. Don't forget those who may have allergies to perfumes.

    Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linen.

    Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning.

    To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!

    To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove top. (I cook a lot so I know this one works. As soon as the dish comes out of the pot or pan I put a little dish soap in add a litte hot water and put on a low flame. By the time dinner is done all the crusty food stuff are lifted up and clean up is a snap.

    Spray your TUPPERWARE with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains.

    Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.

    When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness. This works very good on fresh cut and peeled apples as well. Soak them in a little salt water before serving. They taste a lot better that way. It also keeps them from turning brown. Also works on cucumbers. Peel a little of the skin off and rub the outsite with salt.

    Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half, and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

     Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces ....... Left over wine?

    To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief.

    Ants, ants, ants everywhere .. Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So, get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.

    Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.

    When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, and then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily. I have also found that Elmers glue will sometimes work. Put a glob on the exposed end of the splinter, let dry and a quick yank later it is gone. Don't for get to clean the wound and use a little antiseptic on it to prevent infection.

     Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer........

Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous China.

Clean a vase.
To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.

Polish jewelry.

Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.

Clean a thermos bottle.

Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary).

Unclog a drain.

Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, and then run the hot water. I have also heard that baking soda does this as well. The problem is that you have to be careful it doesn't bubble up and overflow. Be ready with a little water to slow the chemical reactions.

For cold, flu, and other infection home remedies see the "Long Term Hazard Page" on this site.

For minor burns:

Place a cold compress soaked in Apple Cider Vinegar over the burn area. Regular vinegar also works but not as well as it is usually too strong.

For minor cuts:

When you get those annoying minor cuts that tend to bleed excessively or even for small more serious cuts, dampen a plain tea bag in cold water, wring out the excess water and press the tea bag against the cut. The tea will release an aid to coagulation that helps stop the bleeding faster than just pressure alone.

For all manner of stomach ailments:

Fill a clean jar(Mayonase size) with pieces of sliced Aloe Vera leaves(slice length wise then about 1/4 inche pieces). Fill the jar of Aloe Vera pieces with a dry white wine or Japanese Sake and let set for a month before use. For stomach aches, cramps, nausea, and in some cases diarrhea, drink a 1/2 teaspoon of the wine and wait about 15 minutes. If it does not start to clear up then you may want to pull a piece of the Aloe Vera and chew on it swallowing the juices.

Natural Aspirin:

If you find yourself in the wilds and you have pain, inflamation, just a plain headache you can make a tea from the bark of the aspin tree. Just peal a cup full of chopped up aspin tree bark and boil in water to make a tea. The tea is a natural aspirin.

Now for the lighter side of dealing with everyday problems.....

HOW TO INSTALL A HOME SECURITY SYSTEM IN THE SOUTH!

1. Go to a second-hand store and buy a pair of men's used size 16 work boots.
2. Place them on your front porch, along with a copy of Guns & Ammo magazine
and your NRA magazines.
3. Put a few giant dog dishes next to the boots and magazines.
4. Leave a note on your door that reads:

Hey Bubba,
Big Jim, Duke, Slim, and I went for more ammunition. Back in an hour. Don't mess with the pit bulls -- they attacked the mailman this morning and they messed him up real bad. I don't think Killer took part in it but it was hard to tell
from all the blood. Anyways, I locked all four of 'em in the house. Better wait
outside. We'll be right back.

Hummm!!! Might work........this is not as funny as you might think. I wear a pretty good size shoe. I left a pair over seas at my in-laws house and they were left in plain view in the door way. It was noticed that people did double takes on them even if they said nothing. Had to figure they were thinking a BIGGGG DUDE lives here. Of course there is no substitution for a really good and well trained dog. You get both companionship of the dog as well as security.

No Electricity? How a Zeer Pot Fridge Makes Food Last Longer - Great instructions on food perservation.

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