The Complete Idiot's Guide to Household Solutions

402 Pages·1998·7.215 MB·English

by  Melodie Moore

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"This book
books
provides an easy,
practical, and smart
COMPLETE
solution to most of
life's common
pesky problems."
—Esther Davidowitz,
Deputy Editor of First
* GUIDE* for Women magazine
H o u s e h o ld
S o l u t i o ns
• Down-to-earth advice for
solving hundreds of home
decorating and repair problems
• Quick and easy ways to save
on food, clothes, and beauty aids
• Idiot-proof steps for making
safe and effective products to use
around the home and garden
Mélodie Moore
carpet stain
Removing
t cost you an
shouldn' 21898"62706
arm and «
Discover quick and easy
ways to...
• Save on car and travel
You're no idiot, of course.
expenses.
You know that you should be able to fix that leaky faucet,
clean those messy pots, and save on your heating bill. But • Eat better for less.
when it comes to dealing with those never-ending chores
• Solve everyday health
and dilemmas, you feel like a slave to
your home. and beauty problems.
Unlock those shackles now! The Complete Idiot's • Eliminate pet odors.
Guide® to Household Solutions helps make you lord or
• Get rid of bugs.
lady of the manor again, with thousands of hints and tips
for getting things done quicker, cheaper, easier, and • Polish furniture.
smarter. In this Complete Idiot's Guide® you get:
• Remove stubborn
*4?> Valuable tips that help you save money on
decals.
decorating, entertaining, and travel.
1^ Idiot-proof solutions for keeping your kitchen, • Simplify home
garage, and home office in tip-top shape. repairs—indoors and
*4g> Easy-to-follow instructions for home repairs and out.
lawn and garden maintenance.
- • Enjoy more family
^ More than 75 formulas for household cleaning, pet
fun times.
products, tried-and-true home remedies, and more!
• Never pay full price
Jl^ff MELODIE MOORE, former CPA, is the founder
for anything again!
^gp' and editor of Tightwad Living, a mini-magazine that
focuses on time and money-saving household solutions.
Moore's articles have been published in numerous
magazines, and her books, The Frugal Almanac, Smart
Cents, and Vim and Vinegar, have helped thousands of
people with their everyday chores and dilemmas.
best-selling titles in
Cover image © 1998
ISBN 0-02-862706-7 the Complete Idiot's
Michael A. KellerlThe Stock Market
51 695
Guide® series!
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Visit us online at
books
http://www.mgr.com
9 "780028M627069
Household
Solutions
by Mélodie Moore
alpha
books
A Division of Macmillan General Reference
A Simon & Schuster Macmillan Company
1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019-6785
Copyright © 1998 by Mélodie Moore
All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording,
or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. No patent liability is
assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every
precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author
assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for
damages resulting from the use of information contained herein. For information,
address Alpha Books, 1633 Broadway, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10019-6785.
THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO & Design is a registered trademark of Prentice-
Hall, Inc.
Macmillan Publishing books may be purchased for business or sales promotional use.
For information please write: Special Markets Department, Macmillan Publishing USA,
1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019.
International Standard Book Number: 0-02862706-7
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: Information available on request
00 99 98 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Interpretation of the printing code: the rightmost number of the first series of numbers
is the year of the book's printing; the rightmost number of the second series of num­
bers is the number of the book's printing. For example, a printing code of 98-1 shows
that the first printing occurred in 1998.
Printed in the United States of America
Note: This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its authors. It is intended to
provide helpful and informative material on the subject matter covered. It is sold with
the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering profes­
sional services in the book. If the reader requires personal assistance or advice, a
competent professional should be consulted.
The authors and publisher specifically disclaim any responsibility for any liability, loss
or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indi­
rectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book.
Alpha Development Team
Publisher
Kathy Nebenhaus
Editorial Director
Gary M. Krebs
Managing Editor
Bob Shuman
Marketing Brand Manager
Felice Primeau
Senior Editor
Nancy Mikhail
Development Editors
Phil Kitchel
Jennifer Perillo
Amy Zavatto
Assistant Editor
Maureen Horn
Production Team
Development Editor
Carol Hupping
Production Editor
Suzanne Snyder
Copy Editor
Krista Hansing
Cover Designer
Mike Freeland
Photo Editor
Richard H. Fox
Illustrator
Jody P. Schaeffer
Designer
Kevin Spear
Indexer
Sandy Henselmeier
Nadia Ibrahim
Layout/Proofreading
Angela Calvert
Kim Cofer
Mary Hunt
Contents at a Glance
Part 1 : Cleaning Solutions Room by Room 1
1 Doing the Dirty Deed: Cleaning the Kitchen 3
Solutions and tips to help you get your kitchen sparkling
clean.
2 Sparkling Bathrooms 25
Painless ways to clean the most used room in the house.
3 Spotless Bedrooms, Dining and Living Rooms 39
Shortcuts for cleaning the rest of the house.
Part 2: The Clothes Closet 55
4 Durable Duds 57
Better clothes for your money; storing them right.
5 Wash and Wear: Laundry Solutions 69
Time- and money-savings ideas for cleaning and repairing
your clothes.
6 Accessorize Your Life 85
Buying shoes, jewelry, and eyeglasses—and keeping them
looking like new.
Part 3: The Great Outdoors 97
7 The Lawn and Garden 99
Low-maintenance solutions to your front- and backyard
chores.
8 The Parking Zone: The Garage and Basement Solutions 113
Keeping everything in its place, clean and ready for the job
at hand.
9 Savings on Wheels 125
Getting the best deal on your next car; saving on car
insurance, gas, cleaning, and repairs.
Part 4: All in the Family 139
10 Tips for Kids 141
Money-saving, creative ways to care for babies, young
children, and teens.
11 Pampered Pets: Cats and Dogs 157
How to keep Fido and Fluffy happy, healthy, and
beautiful.
12 Beautiful All Over 171
Dozens of natural beauty aids you can make yourself for
good-looking skin, hair, nails, and teeth.
13 Home Remedies 187
Easy and safe ways to relieve minor aches, pains, and
other things that ail you.
14 Holidays and Other Special Occasions 203
Creative ways to make the most of special times.
15 On the Go: Travel Tips 219
Good ideas for planning your get-aways and packing the
most fun into your travel.
16 The Home Office 229
Keeping your home office—and the jobs you do there—
well-organized and efficient.
Part 5: Eating Smart and Cheap 237
17 Food, Glorious Food 239
Making the most of the food you buy: fruits and veg­
etables, dairy products, desserts, and leftovers.
18 Food-Shopping Strategies 251
Best buys at food stores; playing the coupons.
19 Cooking, Baking, and Grilling 263
Techniques for cutting, cooking, microwaving, baking, and
grilling; homemade mixes that'll save you plenty.
20 Food Storage 275
Hints for a well-stocked, well-organized kitchen; keeping
foods fresher longer.
Part 6: Keeping the House in Tip-Top Shape 289
21 Paint and Paper 291
Smart ways to minimize the mess and the work when you
paint and wallpaper.
22 Home Maintenance and Repairs 305
Fix-it tips for simple plumbing, electrical, and other
household projects.
23 Energy-Saving Solutions 321
Conserving energy all around the house.
24 Pesky Pests 331
Nontoxic ways to keep away all the indoor and outdoor
pests that drive you crazy; quick relief from insect bites and
stings.
A: This for That: Substitutions for Common Ingredients 345
B: Useful Weights and Measures 349
Index 357
Contents
Part 1 : Cleaning Solutions Room by Room 1
1 Doing the Dirty Deed: Cleaning the Kitchen 3
Stick With the Basics First 4
Vinegar: Almost Too Good to Be True 4
Baking Soda's Not fust for Baking 4
Ammonia Packs a Punch 5
Salt for Seasoning, and Then Some 5
Doing The Dishes 6
Dish Detergents 6
Stretching Your Detergent 6
Detergent Booster 7
Glassware and China 7
Plasticware 8
Knives, Forks, and Spoons 9
Cleaning Pots and Pans 9
Removing Stains 9
Getting Those Really Tough Pot Stains 10
Don't Sweat The Small Stuff 12
Electronic Touchpads 12
Can Openers 13
Blenders and Food Processors 13
Coffeemakers 13
Toasters 13
Microwave Ovens 13
The Big Ones 14
Dishwashers 14
Refrigerators and Freezers 14
Washing Machines 15
If You Can't Stand the Heat: Cleaning Ovens
and Stoves 16
Salt the Spill 16
Whole-Oven Cleaning 16
Range Hood Cleaner Without Elbow Grease 16
Range Rings 17
Contents
The Kitchen Sink 17
Stainless Steel Sinks 17
Porcelain Sinks 17
Cleaning Underfoot 18
Hardwood Floors 18
Linoleum Floors 18
Tile Floors 18
Painted Floors 18
Counters and Cabinets 19
Stain Remover 19
Tile Backsplash 19
Cabinet Door Cleaner 20
Down the Drain 20
Garbage Disposals 20
Preventing Clogged Drains 20
Oh, the Odor! 21
Room Deodorizers 21
Cutting Boards 21
Refrigerators 22
2 Sparkling Bathrooms 25
Ready, Set, Clean! 25
Homemade All-Purpose Bath Cleaner 26
A Good Once-Over 26
Home-Brewed, Heavy-Duty Cleaner 27
Home-Brewed Disinfectant 27
Rub Dub Dub: Cleaning the Tub 27
Plastic and Acrylic Tubs 28
"Automatic" Tub Cleaner 28
Soggy Soap Solution 28
Bathtub Ring 28
Sticky Decals 29
Shower Power 29
Shower Door Solutions 29
Heads Up! 30
Curtain Call 30
Mold and Mildew 30
Bath Mat Cleaner 31
Ceramic Tile 31
Home-Brewed Ceramic Cleaner 31
Heavy-Duty Grout Cleaner 31
Mildew Stains on Grout 31
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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Household Solutions
Cleaning Sinks 32
Pain in the Drain 32
The Most Used Seat in the House 33
Home-Brewed Toilet Cleaner 33
Automatic Bowl Cleaner 33
Hard-Water Stains 33
Rust Stain Remover 34
Toilet Brush Cleaner 34
Spic 'n' Span Floors 34
Cleaning Painted Walls and Washable Wallpaper 35
From the Top Down 35
Faucets and Fixtures 35
Wood Cleaner 35
Mirror, Mirror 36
Home-Brewed Window and Mirror Cleaner 36
Scratch Remedy 36
Help, Vm in a Fog! 36
3 Spotless Bedrooms, Dining, and Living Rooms 39
Start at the Beginning 39
Down with Dust Bunnies 40
Dusting Tight Spots, Nooks, and Crannies 40
The Dust is Flying 40
Bedtime 41
Mattress Matters 41
Oh, the Odor! 41
A Place to Lay My Head 42
Bundle Up 42
Made in the Shade 42
Cleaning Down Under 43
Basic Floor Cleaner 43
Heavy-Duty Floor Cleaner 43
Wood Floors 43
Dustpan Solutions 43
Caring for Carpets 44
High-Traffic Areas 44
Make It Easy on Yourself 44
Stairs 44
Fluffing Up Indented Carpet 45
Smelly Carpet Odors? 45
Homemade Dry Carpet Cleaner 45
• • •
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