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Show It Makes Cents By Vi Judge Blake - Dear Vi: We find that household bleach sprayed on weeds growing between our patio bricks controls them better than several of the commercial products we've tried, and it costs much less. When cutting a cake or pie baked in a reusable aluminum foil pan, use a plastic knife. It won't cut into the aluminum as does a regular knife . Dear Vi: Someone at a picnic wondered why I gathered up the used foam cups. The reason is, I use them for collars around new plants to protect them from cutworms and snails. Just cut off the bottom, make a slit down the side of the cup and wrap it around the plant. We also use bands cut from old nylons to tie tomato plants to their stakes. They're strong and stretchy enough to do the job without cutting into the stems. Steve Bradley, Cedar City Dear Vi: Our garbage disposal smells awful even though we never allow garbage to stay in it. What to do? No name, please Ans: All of our garbage except meat and citrus rinds end up in the compost pit. Meat scraps are placed in plastic bags and put in the trash; citrus rinds go down the garbage disposal to make it and the house smell good. That's only a temporary solution, of course. Try putting two heaping tablespoons of baking soda or Borax in the disposal every few days, or pour in a cup of vinegar or some household ammonia. Salt or non-foaming laundry detergent dissolved in hot water also helps. I usually wash dishes by hand and rinse each item separately under very hot running water over the disposal with it running. This extra hot water bath washes away bad odors. Speaking of odors, do you know someone whose home smells musty, dusty, or just plain stale when you enter? That thought makes me wonder how our home smells to others. I's so easy to get used to one's own environment. The following are some easy and inexpensive ways to keep a home smelling fresh and inviting: Simmer vinegar to dispel to bad odors. Citrus rinds simmering on the stove impart their fragrance, possibly even better than when ground in the disposal.. Before vacuuming, spray rooms and carpets with diluted fabric softener. Vacuum often to keep down a dusty smell. Keep ovens and burners free of grease. Make sure there is no dampness under bathroom and kitchen sinks. Place open containers of ammonia or vinegar throughout the house. Empty kitchen wastebasket daily. Keep the laundry done. Dirty clothes, especially socks and perspiration-stained garment, impart bad odors. Change the vent filters often. Light a candle or a match after using the bathroom and after someone has smoked in the house. Speaking of stale tobacco odors? Our friends moved into an apartment formerly occupied by heavy smokers. Having the drapes cleaned helped some, but the odor was still strong. Cat liter spread on the carpets and left overnight, then vacuumed up helped a lot. Finally, let the blessed sunshine in. Nothing smells better than fresh air. Dear Vi: I keep a small funnel inverted on top of my bottle of distilled water to use when filling my steam iron. If you don't have an extra funnel for this purpose, make one by cutting the bottom off a plastic bottle with a narrow spout. You told us how to do this a long time ago so now we have your homemade funnels and scoops all over the house, with our garden supplies, and in the work shop. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: If you hear a voice within you saying, "You can't do it," by all means do it and that voice will be silenced. Readers: This is your feature. Send your good ideas to: IT MAKES CENTS, 328 So. 300 E. 5, St. George, Utah. 84770, or e-mail e-mail (viblakeinfowest.com.) If used here, I'll send you $2.00 or a copy of one of my booklets, Kitchen Tricks, Vinegar, the Homemaker's Best Friend, or All about Rhubarb. Please state your choice. Also, check my web page (www.infowest.comcents) for more good ideas. For back issues, click Archives. |