Strange Uses for
Common Household Products
By Jeanette Joy Fisher
Every common household product has a specific purpose,
but they can often be used quite effectively under very
different circumstances. Here are a few examples:
Hairspray
You can use common hairspray to stop flies and bees
from pestering you. One squirt will generally send them
into a quick tailspin. Hairspray can also be effective
in stopping the spread of poison ivy or poison oak. Just
coat the area with hairspray and the rash will be
effectively contained.
Toilet Paper Rolls
If you're plagued with too many cords around the
house--and who isn't--you can help organize the tangled
mess by stuff lengths of them into old toilet paper
rolls. Whether they're electrical cords or speaker
cables, it will help reduce the jumble.
Blood Stains
If you find yourself having to deal with a blood stain
on a piece of clothing, you can get the stain out
quickly by pouring on a little hydrogen peroxide on it,
and then gently wiping the area. The results can be
quite dramatic.
Scents
Instead of spending big money on expensive room
fresheners, you can make your own by simply placing a
little of your favorite perfume or after shave onto a
light bulb. That way, you'll get a nice scent every time
the light is turned on. Along those same lines, you can
make clothes drawers smell sweet and fresh by placing
fabric softener sheets on the bottom of each drawer.
ANTS!
If you've got armies of ants in your kitchen, you could
spend lots of money on expensive traps and baits, or you
could try a couple home remedies, using common household
items. The first would be to draw a line on the counter
or shelf, or wherever the ants' main trail is, and see
for yourself if they don't stop using that route. The
second line of defense would be to sprinkle salt around
on your shelves. It is also a natural ant deterrent.
Pots
If you left the pot on the stove a bit too long and now
have a baked-on mess to deal with, try this before you
either buy a commercial product or toss the pot in the
recycle bin. Just add a couple drops of dishwashing
detergent to the pot, and then add only enough water to
cover the bottom. Then bring the mixture to a boil, and
the food will lift right off.
You don't have to spend big money on specialized
products when oftentimes the same results can be gained
by adapting common household products to new inventive
uses.
Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher
Interior Design Psychology
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