I used to subscribe to the magazine Real Simple and boy did I love getting that little puppy in the mail each month! If you have never flipped through one, you're missing out! The title could not be any more spot on. Everything they write about applies to real, everyday people and everything is either simple to do or helps simplify your life! There truly is something for everyone in each issue and not to mention, it is so fun and colorful to look at. I absolutely love the magazine layout and design and it never fails that after I read it, I have strong urges to cook a beautifully nutritional meal in only 8 minutes, re-arrange the living room furniture, organize and alphabetize my pantry and arrange the clothes in my closet by style, color and texture. (Side note: I did have a WONDERFUL college roommate and friend, Carly, who is a walking Real Simple advertisement and has the most organized, perfect, 'Container Store' closet you'll ever see. Ever. More on her to come :))
Though I do not subscribe to the awesome mag anymore, one my favorite articles has always been "New Uses for Old Things" and I check their website from time to time to see what new suggestions they might have. I think I am intrigued by this section because 1) it involves someones genius, innovative mind to think of these rather simple things (ok, maybe sometimes they aren't genius ideas but just 'happened' to figure these things out by chance. Either way..they thought of it, not me!) and 2) they are all time and/or money savers. Gotta love that, huh?!
Here are a few new uses for old things we all have around the house that I thought were noteworthy. Or, at least somewhat entertaining & goofy ;) Enjoy!
Remove tough food stains from plastic & light
colored wooden cutting boards. Slice a lemon in
half, squeeze the juice onto the soiled surface, rub,
and let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with water.
Whiten fingernails. Rub a wedge on the surface of your nails.
Eliminate the browning that occurs when food
sits out too long. Sprinkle apple or pear slices with
lemon juice before serving or squeeze a bit
into guacamole and give it a stir.
~ Olive Oil ~
Shave. Olive oil can provide a closer shave when used in place of
shaving cream.
Prevent wax from sticking to a candle holder. Rub a thin layer
on the base of the holder before inserting candle. Dripped wax
should peel away easily.
Unstick a zipper. Using a q-tip, apply a drop to lubricate
the teeth. (Avoid touching the fabric). The zipper should move
up and down with ease.
Remove eye makeup. Dab a little under the eyes & rinse off with
a washcloth.
~ Felt Circles ~
Secure slinky garments. Stick a felt circle onto each arm
of a hanger to keep clothes from sliding off.
Anchor a cutting board. Place a circle under each corner
of the board so it stays in place while you slice & dice.
Prevent tabletop scratches. Attach a circle to the bottom of
a vase so it doesn't scuff surfaces.
~ Toothpicks ~
Find the end of the roll. When you've finished using
tape, wrap the end around a toothpick so you can
easily locate it the next time.
Label meat. Are those burgers rare or well-done? They
all look the same on the outside. Identify just-off-
the-grill meats with different colored toothpicks
so they won't get mixed up.
Press a gadget's Reset button. What fits perfectly
into that tiny hole? You guessed it.
~ Post-It Notes ~
Clean a keyboard. Run the sticky side between the keys
to collect crumbs and bits of lint.
File away. Divide a pile of paper into sections using Post-It
notes as you would folder tabs.
Mark containers. Cut off the sticky zone and use it
as a label for travel bottles of shampoo, etc.
~ Clear Nail Polish ~
Avoid rust stains in the bathroom. Coat the bottom
of a shaving-cream can to fend off rings on the
ledge of the tub.
Seal an envelope. When a flap won't stay stuck, find
closure with clear polish.
Extend the life of jewelry. Paint a thin coat onto a
piece of costume jewelry to prevent it from losing
its luster.
~ Old Earrings ~
Add some flair. Use an old earring as
a decorative push pin for that boring bulletin board.
Make a magnet. Remove the back of an earring that has
lost its match. Glue a magnet to the back to
add some flair to your fridge.
~ Rubberbands ~
Open jars with ease. When a small lid
won't budge, wrap a rubber band around it
several times to give you a better grip.
Bring order to your dishwasher. Tether
stemware and other delicate, wobbly items to the rack.
Wrap a gift. Use multiple colored rubber bands instead
of ribbon to add modern flair to a small present.
~ Salt ~
Eliminate sticky residue from an iron. Rub
the hot iron (no steam) over plain paper sprinkled
with salt.
Remove sangria & red-wine stains from your
washables. Stretch the fabric over a bowl, cover
the stain with salt, and carefully pour boiling water
over the stain.
Chill a bottle of bubbly - fast. Place ice around its
base in an ice bucket; sprinkle with a few tablespoons
of salt. Layer salt & ice until they reach the neck. Fill with
water. Wait 10 minutes; serve.
:: HUGE side-note/disclaimer :: While I recognize that the above mentioned ideas may encourage you to hold onto old items that previously may have been tossed out without a second thought, I am against the act of "hoarding." I believe you should still throw out unnecessary items as you see fit, keep your home as clutter-free as possible and above all else...practice good hygiene! If you have ever seen the show Hoarders on A&E...you know what I am talking about. If you have never seen the show, please, take a moment and watch a sneak peak here. If you did not get a chance to do your spring (or summer) cleaning...you might just change your mind after watching ;) You will thank me.
The above are just some simple ideas. What are some old things you've found new uses for?
Till next time,
Courtni :)
