Recently, as I was half way out the door, car keys in hand and on the way to the home improvement center, I remembered that I might already have what I needed. Cooking spray! That’s it. I’d heard that it just might work. It did, and quite perfectly, too. No more squeaks and I saved a trip and purchase, too.
Got a squeaky door or sticky drawer? Spritz a little cooking spray on the hinges or drawer slides, and then work it back and forth to distribute the “lubricant.” Wipe away any drips with a paper towel.
Use mayonnaise to get rid of white water rings on wood furniture. Make sure the area is completely dry, and then spread enough full-fat mayonnaise on the spot. Let it sit for several hours, even overnight. Now wipe it clean, and buff with a soft clean cloth. Magical, isn’t it?
Don’t toss out that spare eyeglasses case. It can be used to protect your jewelry in your suitcase. Or how about that collection of crochet hooks that are rolling around in a drawer? They’ll fit nicely into that case. It can also make for a dandy manicure kit or emergency first aid or sewing kit. Kinda makes you wish you had several cases, doesn’t it? Here’s one more: Storage bin for those rascally ear buds.
If you buy yeast packets in bulk, some of them could be too old to use by the time you need them. To extend their life by months, store them in the refrigerator or freezer rather than in your kitchen pantry. Zip them in a plastic bag while they’re in cold storage. When you’re ready to use a yeast packet, let it warm up to room temperature first.
Got an old shower curtain? Even if it’s no longer good enough for its original purpose, there are several ways to extend its useful life: Use it to cover your patio furniture or barbecue next winter. Connect it with bungee cords. Or keep it in the truck of your car as a tarp for roadside emergencies in the event you need to sit on the ground, change a tire or make a quick underbody repair.
Look for Rain-X in the automotive aisle of your favorite discount store. It’s sold as a product to keep windshields free of water spots and help rain to sheet off windows. It works great on tub and shower walls to keep hard water stains from building up.
Got an annoying stripped out screw that you need to remove? Easy! To get a better grip, trap one side of a wide rubber band (use one that you saved from that last bundle of fresh broccoli) between the screwdriver and the screw head. Now give it a try.
Would you like to send a tip to Mary?
You can email her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2099, Cypress, CA 90630. Include your first and last name and state.
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