Cleaning a Burned Smooth Top Stove?
I too have a smooth top stove (white, unfortunately), but have found that some elbow grease, Soft Scrub and Scotch Brite work pretty well to get most of the stain off. There may still be a bit of discoloration, but for the most part your stove should look pretty...
Cleaning Hair Spray Off a Flat Iron?
Kakittelson1 said the best way with just two words - rubbing alcohol. I clean my tiled bathroom floors with it to remove the over-spray from my hairspray. Use a cotton ball soaked with the alcohol, or a saturated wash cloth and you should have no problem, and...
Garden: Beauty Berry Bush (Callicarpa Americana)
This plant is beautiful! I live in Florida also and would love to get one. Im in the metro Orlando area so if you have any info as to where I can get this please e me back - xstchr92 AT aol.com Thank you!
Getting Food Home From the Grocery Store
Another easier ice method would be to freeze blocks of ice in quart containers, or soft drink bottles, or anything that you can place upright in your freezer. Make sure to give anything head room since ice will expand when frozen. I keep several of these in...
Placing Hot Pans on Glass Tops Stoves?
Yes, you can place a hot saucepan, frying pan or anything you take from the oven onto your stove top. Ive had mine for years and (knock on wood) there have been no mishaps to date.
Remedy for Smelly Front Load Washer?
Not only do I leave the door open as much as possible (hubby like to close it on me), but I pry open the gasket thats around the door and stick a dusting rag in there to absorb whatever water is left. Ive found that by doing both it might take a while to totally...
Caring for Your Septic System?
The very first thing I would do is to find out when was the last time the septic tank was pumped. You did not say if you were renting or buying but if its the latter you may want to include a pump-out as part of your closing and have the seller pay for it. We...
Things to Do With Kids in New Orleans?
Contact the Lousiana Tourist Bureau and they will send you many, many, pamphlets about what you can do in New Orleans. Dont forget to take your camera tho since it is a very picturesque city. Enjoy!
Removing Hair Dye Stains on Nails?
Though its not my thought, but one that I came across in another helpful web site, try rubbing your nails with whitening toothpaste. Presumably if it gets teeth white(er), then it should remove the stains from your nails. Hope it works!
Disposing of Free Address Labels to Prevent Identity Theft?
You can also use them if you go to any kind of show where you can submit your name and address on an entry form for (whatever). If I live to 100 Ill never use all of the labels I have so Ive started cutting off the little decorative picture/initial/flower and...
Recycling and Disposing of Electronic Waste?
If you live near a Best Buy they will recycle for you. You pay them $10 but then they give you back a $10 gift card, so you really havent paid to have your stuff recycled. Id call first to make sure the stores in your area do offer this program.
Battery Operated Pepper Grinder Does Not Work Properly?
A double plastic bag and a meat terderizing mallet might work. If you dont have a mallet a heavy bottomed saucepan could do the trick too. I double bag as a safety precaution!
Getting Out of Debt
If you have more than one credit card try to pay off the one with the highest interest rate first, adding as much additional as you can afford. Go on to the next card and (obviously) pay the minimum amount plus any fractional additional amount you can afford...
How Can I Make Homemade Balloon Weights?
For my daughters graduation I went to Home Depot and purchased the largest (and heaviest) washers that I could find. Also went to the paint department and purchased some black spray paint ($1.00), then on to Michaels to purchase silver glitter. After spraying...
What Can I Use to Soften My Feet?
All of the prior suggestions are great and you also may want to try soaking your feet in Epsom Salts (in warm water). Not only is it a relaxing soak but it will help soften your skin so that a pumice will work even better. Please make sure you dry inbetween...
Place Dough on Dryer to Rise
This may sound kind of strange but I pull my car out into the sun and place any dough I want to rise in my trunk. There is no air circulation (i.e. cold air) and it gets just hot enough that the dough will rise perfectly. Living in Florida, with continual air...
Paint Color Advice for a White and Gray Kitchen?
Having black 4x4 tiles as my kitchen backsplash (and hating it), I can only suggest that you go with the suggested white subway tile. The black makes the kitchen extremely dark. All of the colour suggestions sound great but before painting any of them may I...
Repairing a Tub Spout Diverter?
Having just repaired this same problem - its not the diverter (spout) thats the problem its the cartridge that controls the water. If it is a single unit (i.e. hot and cold on same control) you need to pop off the center of the control knob, unscrew the rest...
Where Can I Buy Rubber Canning Jar Rings?
If you have an Ace Hardware store in your area they carry them (all of the time), or you might want to check at your local Wal-Mart. Of course the internet options are a good place too.
Cleaning Artificial Plants?
Thanks to all of you who posted in response to my inquiry. Im guessing that the 409 will work for the kitchen plants (grease, yuck), and then swooshing for the others!
Things to Do in Sarasota?
Mote Marine Labs is a great place to visit if you have children although even adults will find their exhibits very interesting. Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria Island are must visits if you enjoy walking along the beach (at sunset its...
Are Super Absorbent Dish Towels Worth the Extra Money?
IKEA and Target both carry a flour sack type kitchen/bar twoel that is super absorbet. They are comparable to the movie theatre towels that used to be given out at theatres many many years ago. Im still using the ones that my Grandmother used to get in laundry...
T-fal Cookware Turned Grey in the Dishwasher?
T-Fal is not the only cookware that will end up with a gray-ing finish when put into the dishwasher. I have several really expensive saute pans that have done the same thing and a good old scrubbing with SOS pads brings the shine right back on them. Its a lot...
Replacement Battery for Fossil Wrist Watch?
Both of my daughters have Fossil watches and when contacting the company they were told that the warranty on the watch (usually lifetime) would be voided if the battery was not replaced by an authorized Fossil dealer. Yes, its a tad pricey, but to keep the...
Keep Spare Oxygen for Emergencies
The utility companies in Florida have a policy where you are put on an emergency list so that should there ever be a power failure you will be the first to have yours restored. Im not sure if generators are supplied but when using one make sure that it is well...
Make Circle Template
May sound strange but the plastic that many bacon packages have under the bacon strips would be an alternative to cardboard. Since they are quite a sturdy material there would be no change in the dimensions that you cut into/onto them the way the cardboard...
Leftover Candy Cane Recipes?
Thank you to everyone who gave me several ideas to use up those candy canes. Must have had a brain fog not remembering that any girl scout troop could probably use a great deal of them! Thanks again. M
Add Handles To Flat Templates
Sandy, you might also consider using corks from craft stores [ or even hardware stores] as they are a bit higher and might be easier to handle than the caps. Older crafters who may have arthritis in their fingers may also find the higher corks easier to use...
Dresser Drawers Stuck Closed?
It may sound like a hassle, but the first thing to do is empty out each drawer. Then turn it upside down and run an old/new candle across the bottom rungs of the drawer. You may have to do this a couple of times but try inserting the drawer and pulling it in...
Disguising Smoke Detectors?
Although I agree with many of the posters the only question I would like to ask is: Are you more concerned about how these detectors look, vs the fact that they have the capability of saving your life? The best suggestion (for ceiling mounts) is the mesh food...
Caring for Stray Cats?
Please contact your local SPCA or Humane Society. Most have a capture and release, spay/neuter program for this type of feral colony. I understand that you are a humanitarian but as other posters have mentioned all you are doing is harm to these cats as they...
Feeling Dizzy All the Time?
Although you have received a great deal of information from our fellow posters the best one, and least dangerous one, is to see a physician. Please do not try to self diagnose yourself. Leave that to the professionals who can both diagnose and treat you for...
Ear Cropping and Tail Docking?
Sounds to me like youre trying to start a designer dog breed. Ive had both min pins and chihuahahas and both are adorable as they are, not a mixed breed. Docking is cruel, please dont consider it.
Dishwasher Dulls Wilton Cake Pan?
Thanks MCW, I was hoping that there would be a way to restore the shine to it as it doesnt look very appealing to bake in the way it is. I appreciate your help tho.
Dishwasher Dulls Wilton Cake Pan?
Hey, hey, just in case any of you do the same dumb thing; Wilton told me to grease it down, let it sit for 24 hrs, wash, rinse and do it again and although the shine wont come back it will look considerably better than it does now. Thought Id try the manufacturer...
Safely Disposing of Medications
You can always take any unused meds back to the pharmacy where you purchased them (in original bottles, please). The pharmacy has a specific area where they place these meds for disposal. Rather than bagging, crushing, or dumping meds this is the easiest and...
What Are These Bugs?
The are definitely NOT roaches! Having lived both in the North and South I would recommend that you listen to all of the other feedback about them being June bugs (a relative of the Japanese Beetle), and not the people who have said they are flying roaches...
Filling In Acrylic Nails Inexpensively?
Forego the acrylic nails and go to your local Walgreens (or any other drug store) and purchase Calcium 600mg with vitamin D. I have NEVER had nails that would properly grow and if they did get any length to the they would split, bend and break off. Since Ive...
Washing Clothing With Bleach (Without Having Them Smell Like Bleach)?
Thank you to all who responded to my problem! The only items I was trying to bleach were whites and ended up having to rewash them about four times (with oxi-clean and vinegar alternately) before the smell dissapated. Im in Florida and we are now in our rainy...
Preventing Fish Oil Capsule Burps
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the freezing tip. I was getting so frustrated with fish burps that I wanted to stop taking the pills but my cardio doc probably would have had a fit. When Im done here, into the freezer they go!! One other hint, altough not...
Getting Rid of Used Cooking Oil?
P l e a s e never, never put grease down a disposal unless you like spending $100 plus every year for a new one. If youre on a septic system the same is true - save any empty container (with a lid), fill it and put it in your household trash for pick up OR...
Facial Redness?
I dont know if Sarna is new on the shelves but my husband also has facial redness. He applies the Sarna before retiring for the night and although not complete cleared the redness is lightened. There are two different types, one in a green pump bottle, the...
Removing Cat and Dog Hair from Bed Sheets and Blankets?
I can recommend two options. #1 purchase one of the rollers that you use to take lint off of clothing. You may go through several sheets but I know it takes all of my cats fur off of just about everything. Oh yes, if youre near and IKEA Ive found them to be...
My Frugal Life: Consider Crafting for Christmas
To Cyinda: Have you considered a coupon book? You can choose anything from taking someone to a movie, paying for a haircut, dusting & vacuuming, etc., etc. The sky is the limit when it comes to giving/making those coupons. I still have ones that my daughters...
Printer Message: Not Communicating With Computer?
You dont say what brand your computer is, but if it is an HP you can go to their website www.hp.com and click on the live help box. They have walked me through uninstall and reinstall a couple of times. I have now found out that when my printer queues things...
In Need of a Snappy Business Name?
How about A to Z Cleaning. Under the title you can put that you do whatever needs to be done: lawns, houses, cars, etc., whatever it is that you clean.
Making Your Own Coffee Packets?
I have to preface my suggestion by saying what I do when cooking corned beef (go ahead and laugh). I dont like all of the spices floating around in the water so I take 2 regular coffee filters, put the spices in and carefully staple it closed! There is no metal...
Name Ideas for a Pet Food Pantry?
Second Chance (as mentioned), and Second Chances Food Pantry are great! To clarify the full meaning of your free pantry I suggest Chances Free Pantry. This might encourage more people to donate to you, and others to come to you where there is no other choice...
Plumeria Not Blooming?
Although not an expert on plumeria/frangipani, if it is the top portion of the plant that has frozen you can probably cut that off without damaging the plant itself. It may take a bit longer to flower if you do this but you will be saving the plant itself. I...
Uses for CD Containers?
If youre talking about the cd containers that are individually wrapped, vs the ones that come in 25 - 50 round containers, heres an idea that I just saw on Real Simple: Lay the colour part on your counter and insert a 3x5 recipe card on the clear side and flip...
