CHALK
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Remove Stains – Mark stains heavily with chalk before washing. The dust helps absorb the oils, making the stain easier to clean.
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Stop Tarnish – Wrap chalk in cheesecloth and store with silverware. It absorbs moisture and helps prevent tarnishing.
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Keep Ants Out – If ants are trotting into your house, draw chalk lines around their entry points. Many chalks contain calcium carbonate, which ants don’t like.
VINEGAR
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Clean a Coffeemaker – Get rid of stains and mineral deposits by filling the reservoir with 1 part white vinegar, 2 parts water, and brewing.
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Prevent New Clothes from Losing Color – Soak them in 1 part vinegar, 1 part cold water for 15 minutes before washing.
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Kill Grass and Weeds – Pour vinegar on upshots between bricks and stones. The acidic component kills young weeds.
SALT
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Vegetable Wash – Remove dirt from greens such as spinach, arugula and kale by swirling them around in a bowl of salt water.
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Clean a Greasy Pan – Shake some salt on the pan before washing to absorb most of the greases.
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Remove Water Marks from Wood Surfaces – Make a paste of salt and cooking oil and gently rub onto the ring with a sponge. Let sit for a few minutes then wipe with a soft cloth and polish as usual.
COFFEE FILTERS
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Clean Mirrors, Windows and Wine Glasses – Put your hand inside like a mitt and wipe. Filters are lint free and leave no streaks.
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Line Flowerpots – Put a filter inside the pot to stop soil from leaking through the drainage holes on the bottom.
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Save the Wine After You’ve Broken the Cork – If you pour the wine through a filter, you’ll catch the lost pieces of cork.
TOOTHPASTE
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Deodorize Hands – Wash hands with a blob of toothpaste to get tough odors such as onion or garlic off.
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Whiten Sneakers – Clean rubber roles by rubbing scuff marks with an old toothbrush and non-gel toothpaste.
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Defog Goggles – Coat the inside of swimming goggles with toothpaste then wipe off. They’ll be crystal clear.