"Viewers Frugal Tips"
Thank you Peggy for these great homemade lip balm recipes!
Apricot Citrus Lip Balm
1 t Beeswax (5 ml)
1 t Apricot kernel oil (5 ml)
1 t Calendula oil (5 ml)
Few drops essential oil of
Lemon or orange
Great for chapped lips!
Melt the beeswax. Add the apricot and calendula oils, stirring constantly.
Remove from the heat while stirring and when partly cooled, add the essential
oils. Store in a small glass pot or jar.
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Cocoa Butter Lip Balm
2.5 oz cocoa butter
2.6 oz beeswax
1.4 oz sweet almond oil
Melt ingredients together, stir and put into container.
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Castor Oil Lip Balm
1.5 oz cocoa butter
1.5 oz beeswax
3 oz castor oil
Melt in microwave. Then add castor oil, stir, and pour into your lipgloss
container.
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Homemade Lip Balm
This lip balm recipe is easy to make and pretty versatile. You can try different
flavoring oils to suite your taste.
1/4 vegetable or nut oil (Example: Almond oil)
1/4 ounce beeswax
1 teaspoon honey or glycerin
1/2 to 1 teaspoon natural flavoring oil (Example:
Peppermint or Lemon oil)
Melt beeswax in a double boiler. Remove from heat and whip with an electric
beater until creamy. Combine other ingredients and whip until thoroughly mixed.
Store in an airtight jar.
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Here is a remedy for chapped lips:
CHAPPED LIPS
Exfoliate your lips by using an old toothbrush and a
menthol based lip balm. Apply lip balm first, then
brush gently with the toothbrush.
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Inexpensive Lip Balm
1 Tablespoon solid vegetable shortening
1 teaspoon any flavor unsweetened Kool ade
1/4 teaspoon honey (optional)
Can be doubled to tripled if you want to make a lot.
Put in a sauce pan and heat on medium heat until melted Stir well and pour in
small jars (don't use the grainy part in the bottom of the pan) and let cool til
set, can be put in the refrigerator or freezer til set if you want it faster.
Then carry with you and use whenever you want. I never put honey in it.
*Tips from Sandra, Tenn.
Coffee filters, Who knew! And you can buy 1,000 at the Dollar Tree for almost nothing.
COFFEE FILTERS: Not just for making coffee...
1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave.
2. Clean windows and mirrors. Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll leave windows sparkling.
3. Protect China -Separate your good dishes by putting coffee filter between each dish.
4. Filter liquid- If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.
5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.
6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter.
7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.
8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.
9. Hold tacos- Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods.
10.Plant Pot- Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going through the drainage
holes.
11. Prevent a Popsicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes as needed in a coffee filter.
12. Do you think we used expensive strips to wax eyebrows? Use strips of coffee filters.
13. Put a few in a plate and put your fried bacon, French fries, chicken fingers, etc on them. Soaks out all the grease.
14. Keep in the bathroom. They make great "razor nick fixers."
*Tips From Peggy, Tenn.
1. Peel a banana from the bottom and you won't have to pick the little 'stringy things' off of it. That's how the primates do it.
2. Separate your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you
leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.
3. Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!
4. Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.
5. To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy c re am in and then beat them up.
6. For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.
7. Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of garlic.
8. Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.
9. Leftover snickers bars from Halloween make a delicious dessert. Simply chop them up with the food chopper. Peel, core and slice a few apples. Place them in a baking dish and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes!!! Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream. Yummm!
10. Reheat Pizza - Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.
11. Easy Deviled Eggs- Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.
12. Expanding Frosting - When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.
13. Reheating refrigerated bread - To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.
14. Newspaper weeds away - Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.
15. Broken Glass - Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.
16. No More Mosquitoes - Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.
17. Squirrel Away! - To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.
18. Flexible vacuum To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.
19. Reducing Static Cling Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and ... ta da! ... static is gone.
20. Measuring Cups Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add you r ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.
21. Foggy Windshield? Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car . When the window s fog, rub with the eraser! W orks better than a cloth!
22. Reopening envelope - If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily.
23. Conditioner - Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.
24. Goodbye Fruit Flies - To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!
25. Get Rid of Ants - Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!
*INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS The heating unit went out on my dryer! The gentleman that fixes things around the house for us told us that he wanted to show us something and he went over to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. (I always clean the lint from the filter after every load clothes.) He told us that he wanted to show us something; he took the filter over to the sink and ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made of a mesh material ... I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like. Well ... the hot water just sat on top of the mesh! It didn't go through it at all! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film, but it's there. It's what is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and static free ... that nice fragrance too. You know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box well this stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. This is also what causes dryer units to potentially burn your house down with it! He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (and to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush (or other brush) at l east e very six months. He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long! How about that!?! Learn something new everyday! I certainly didn't know dryer sheets would do that. So, I thought I'd share!
Note: I went to my dryer and tested my screen by running water on it. The water ran through a little bit but mostly collected all the water in the mesh screen. I washed it with warm soapy water and a nylon brush and I had it done in 30 seconds. Then when I rinsed it ... the water ran right thru the screen! There wasn't any puddleing at all! That repairman knew what he was talking about!
*Tips from Peggy, Tenn. "I can't believe I never knew this"
I had to go into the kitchen and check this out for myself. Whoever looks at the end of your aluminum foil box? You know when you try to pull some foil out and the roll comes out of the box. Then you have to put the roll back in the box and start over. The darn roll always comes out at the wrong time. Well, I would like to share this with you. Yesterday I went to throw out an empty Reynolds foil box and for some reason I turned it and looked at the end of the box. And written on the end it said, Press here to lock end. Right there on the end of the box is a tab to lock the roll in place. How long has this little locking tab been there? I then looked at a generic brand of aluminum foil and it had one, too. I then looked at a box of Saran wrap and it had one too! I can't count the number of times the Saran wrap roll has jumped out when I was trying to cover something up. I'm sharing this with my friends. I hope I'm not the only person that didn't know about this.
*Tips from Brooke, Alabama
1. Use Empty toilet paper roll to store small appliance cords in. It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.
2. Stop icy doorsteps from freezing: use warm water and put Dawn dish soap in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't freeze.
3. Remove old wax from a glass candle holder, put it in the freezer for a few hours. Then take the candleholder out and turn it upside down.
4. Remove Crayon marks on walls. A damp cloth, dipped in baking soda.
5. Save on S.O.S Pads for those small jobs, Cut each pad in half with a pair of scissors. Then use the small pad for the small job and you won’t have a whole wasted pad that will just get rusty.
6. Blood stains on material. Pour a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and wipe off blood.
*Tips From Carol,Tenn.
If your car has a Alarm system, then this a great Tip.
1. At night put your car keys beside your bed or somewhere close. Then if you hear a noise outside your home or someone is trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. Make sure to test it first, it'll go off from most everywhere inside your house. Odds are the burglar won't stick around.
2. Also remember to carry your keys in your hand while walking to your car in a parking lot.
3. Keeping your keys in your pocket while your outside is also a good idea. In case you fall outside you can activate the car alarm and then other family members will know there's a problem.
*Tip From A Tenn. Gal, Tenn.
1. Wash out ziploc bags and reuse them, to save money. (Unless you stored meat in them.)
*Tips From Sandra Tenn.
1. Instead of buying name-brand glass cleaner for $3 a bottle, purchase windshield washer fluid for less than $1 a gallon.
2. It does an incredible job on mirrors, windows, all crystal items, and jewelry, too.
1. Homemade Scouring Powder (Works great)
1 cup baking soda
1 cup borax
1 cup salt
2. Drain Cleaner
I cup baking soda
Add 1 cup hot vinegar
Wait a few minutes, then flush the drain with 1 quart of very hot water.
3. For garbage disposals, use 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup of vinegar.
4. Automatic Dishwasher Powder
Use 2 Tablespoons baking soda and 2 Tablespoons borax per load.
5. Drip Coffee Maker Cleaner
Mix 1 cup warm water and 1/4 cup baking soda. Let it drip through the
coffee maker. Then drip a pot of plain water to rinse. It will keep
your coffee maker clean and fresh.
6.Teapot Cleaner
To remove rust stains and mineral deposits, fill the teapot with
water and add 2 Tablespoons of baking soda and the juice of half a
lemon. Boil gently for 15 minutes. Rinse and repeat if needed.
7. Microwave Cleaning
Make a cleaning solution of 4 Tablespoons of baking soda to 1 quart
of warm water. Use it to clean the inside surfaces of the oven, or
place a few spoonfuls of baking soda in water in a microwave safe
cup. Boil the water 3-5 minutes. The walls of the microwave will
be damp. Simply take a sponge or paper towel and wipe down the
insides of the oven.
8. Unclog Gas Stoves
To unclog burners on a gas stove, simply add 1/4 box of baking soda
to 2 quarts of water and boil for a few minutes.
9. Easy Toilet Cleaner
Sprinkle 1/2 box of baking soda into the toilet tank once a month.
Let it stand overnight before flushing. The tank and the bowl will be
both clean and deodorized.
10.Air Freshener
Simply mix equal parts of baking soda with your favorite perfumed
bath salts. Put it in a soap dish or in small sachet bags wherever
you would like to freshen the air.
11. Carpet Deodorizer
Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of cornstarch, and 15 drops of
essential oil fragrance for scent. Sprinkle on the rugs before
bedtime and let it sit overnight. If you like, you can work it into
the carpet the next morning with a stiff bristle brush or broom, then
vacuum.
12. Laundry Booster (Works Great!)
Add 1/2 cup baking soda to the washing machine along with your usual
amount of liquid laundry soap. It will make whites whiter and colors
brighter. (NOTE: It doesn't work with powdered laundry detergents!).
13. Clean Brushes and Combs (Works Great)
Fill sink with hot water and 1/4 cup of baking soda. Watch the dirt
and oil dissolve away!
14. Underarm Deodorant
Sprinkle under your arms, even after shaving. It won't irritate your
skin. If you prefer a smoother textured deodorant, mix it with a
little talcum powder.
15. Clean Glasses
Hold your eyeglasses over a sink and sprinkle a small amount of
baking soda on them. With wet fingers, gently rub the lenses. Rinse
clean and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
16. Breath Freshener
Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda into a cup of water and rinse.
It will eliminate even morning mouth, garlic and onion odors! Make
your own mouthwash by combining 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon
of salt, and 1 cup of water. Add a few drops of flavoring if desired.
17. Tooth Whitener
Mix 1 teaspoon baking soda with 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice. Using a
cotton swab, apply it to your teeth, brush clean with water and
rinse. Coffee and tea stains will disappear! (NOTE: This is an
occasional treatment only. Lemon juice contains a lot of acid and
shouldn't be overused, or used alone. Combined with baking soda,
the acid is buffered and won't destroy the tooth's enamel).
18. Denture and Retainer Cleaner
Combine 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of powdered laundry
detergent and 1 cup of water. Soak the dentures or plastic retainer
for 30 minutes and rinse well. If you prefer, you can use 1 cup of
water and 2 teaspoons of baking soda in a glass.
19. An Inexpensive Sports Drink
For each quart of boiled water add 1 level tablespoon of salt, 1
rounded teaspoon of baking soda, 4 rounded teaspoons of sugar, and 1
package of sugar free Kool-Aid. Stir until clear and refrigerate.
20. Clear Up a Stuffy Nose
Add a teaspoon of baking soda to your vaporizer. It will unblock
nasal passages and keep the vaporizer clean as well!
21. Baby Fever Reducer
Bathe the infant in a tub of lukewarm water with 1/2 cup of baking
soda. Use less if you are using a plastic infant tub. This is also an
effective remedy for diaper rash.
22. For Dogs and Cats
Sprinkle baking soda on your pet's brush or comb to deodorize their
skin and fur. Adding 2 tablespoons of baking soda to your dog's bath
water and rinse water will make their coat clean and shiny. Using
baking soda on pet stains will eliminate the odor and prevent the
pet from returning to the same spot in the future for another
accident. Sprinkling the litter box with baking soda keeps it fresh
and deodorized.
23. Paint Brushes
To restore brushes stiffened and hardened by paint, simply boil them
in a solution of 1/2 gallon of water mixed with 1/4 cup vinegar and 1
cup of baking soda.
24. Nontoxic pesticide
Put baking soda under sinks near pipe openings and along basement
windows to repel ants, silver fish and roaches. Roaches will
dehydrate and die after eating baking soda.
25.In the Garden
lightly sprinkle baking soda around flowerbeds to
prevent rabbits from nibbling at your buds. Sprinkle baking soda on
slugs to get rid of them without having to resort to costly and toxic
pesticides. To sweeten your tomatoes by reducing their acidity,
sprinkle baking soda lightly on the soil around your tomato plants.
26. The soda from an old box used to absorb odors in the refrigerator .
For even more great uses for baking soda, including kid's science
projects, cleaning ideas, odor control, and more, go to Arm & Hammer
online.
