Free funnels

It may be old news that you can cut off the top of a plastic bottle to make a funnel, but if you pay attention, you can have a wide array of free funnels. Soft drink bottles, milk jugs, plastic vinegar bottles and more, are different sizes, so you can have one for everything you need. If you can't find one that fits well, use the plastic backing from a package of bacon and roll it into a point of the right size.

Cheap substitute for clarifying shampoo

Instead of buying clarifying shampoo (used to remove buildup so you can continue using your favorite shampoo), use a table spoon of baking soda dissolved in a cup of water. Work it well into your hair and scalp, rinse, then use half water and half vinegar as a final rinse. This will remove shampoo residue and leave your hair very soft.

Neat kitchen organizer

If you get tomatoes or berries in plastic "baskets," use them to hold dish cloths, scrubbers, or anything you use often, under your kitchen sink. Staple or duct tape them to the inside of your kitchen cabinet at a handy height.

Braided rug from plastic bags

The title link explains it in more depth than I have room for here. They're going to take away our plastic bags? Use bread sacks. Look around, there are plenty of plastic bags besides just the grocery store kind. Maybe it's time to stock up...

Stretch shoes that are too tight

To stretch genuine leather shoes, mix equal parts water and rubbing alcohol and get the inside of the shoe wet where you wish it to stretch. A squirt bottle works great.

(Thanks to Joyous, from Dollar Stretcher forums)

Sunflower seeds to the rescue!

If you like to make pesto or dishes that call for pine nuts, try substituting much cheaper sunflower seeds for them. Sunflower seeds also work in many places where slivered almonds are used. Experiment!

Age spot fader

You don't need the expensive kind - just mix vinegar and onion juice and apply to age spots. It takes the same amount of time to fade them that the commercial version does. If your skin is dry, you can use lotion or cream after the application is dry.

Repairing denim

If you have just a small hole in your jeans or denim jacket or dress, turn it inside out and put a piece of duct tape over the hole. It can even hold through a few washings. If you cut the duct tape with rounded corners it will stay on longer.

Emergency rain gear

Need a rain hood and cape/coat? Take a large plastic trash bag and slit the seam on the long side about 8 inches, starting at the bottom corner. Slip it over your head and it will cover your hair and body - how much depends on how tall you are.

Use less detergent this way

Use less detergent and get your clothes cleaner, too? Yes. All you have to do is allow a 10 to 15 minute soak between the first minute or two of agitation and the rest of the cycle. Be sure the detergent is dissolved. Try using a little less detergent, and if clothes come clean then, use even a little less next time until you see a problem, then increase it just a little. Always measure!

Looking like Easter

My personal site is growing, however slowly! I just put up a few articles you might be interested in. Let me know what you think!

Easter

Peeled colored eggs

Put peeled hardboiled eggs in the leftover liquid from pickled beets or dill or sweet pickles, and let them set in the refrigerator for a few days. Pink and pale green make a cool Easter dish! It also preserves the eggs so they will keep longer.