Handy tips and tricks

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More effective dishwashing: Add a few tablespoons of vinegar along with the dishwashing detergent when washing dishes. The vinegar cuts the grease and leaves dishes sparkling.

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Oven fries: The secret to awesome oven fries is pre-soaking them in salted water, which makes the potatoes release a bunch of their moisture before cooking. This ensures they will crisp up without having to risk burning them.

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Regular defrosting pays: The thicker the layer of ice in your freezer, the higher the energy consumption. Defrost regularly to save on energy bills. With a lot of fridges it is sufficient to defrost them twice a year, older models freeze over more quickly.

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Polish jewelry with Alka Seltzer: Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.

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Muscle cramps: Drink a glass of water with a tablespoon of vinegar when suffering from a muscle cramp to quickly bring your potassium level back up and relieve the cramp.

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Repairing a cracked plate: Use a large enough saucepan. Fill it with milk and put the cracked plate into the milk. Boil the milk for 45 minutes, and when you take the plate out of the saucepan carefully and the crack will be gone.

[Diane65]

Polish jewelry with Alka Seltzer: Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.

You can also use the old fashioned type of white toothpaste. Just done my silver bracelet and it looks brilliant.

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Icy doorsteps: For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and put dishwashing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze.

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Draining pasta into the colander: When draining pasta run hot water into the colander before draining the pasta into it. A cold colander will cause pasta to stick together.

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Unscrewing a jammed screw: If you need to unscrew a hard screw, heat up the end of a screwdriver until red and then apply it to the top of the screw. The heat between the two of them will help it unscrew. Be careful and don't use a plastic handled screwdriver.