This is a list of home tips that I've garnered over the years. Hope that you can benefit from it.
1. How to prevent pills from getting stuck onto your throat? Do you often have your pills or vitamins sticking onto your throat and not able to fully swallow them? Not a nice feeling, yeah? Try this: Wet your throat by drinking a mouthful of water, preferably warm. Then, put some water into your mouth before popping your pills inside. Make sure all the pills are coated with water (swirl them with your tongue and separate them if they stick together) before you swallow everything down. There, you've got a smooth one!
2. How to get rid of house lizards in the friendliest way? Some of you may know that eggshells make a wonderful source of plant fertilizer. But do you know that they can effectively ward off lizards too? With a toddler at home, having lizards poo lying on the floor of my home is unimaginable - to think that my child tend to pick up anything from the floor and put everything into his mouth straight away! So, from a conversation I've overheard the other day at the supermarket, I learned that egg shells can actually drive lizards away. Just place some cleaned egg shells in places where lizard droppings are abundant. It worked really well for me as most of the lizards are gone! In fact, when I 'equipped' one room with it (I put it above the window grilles), they will move to other rooms. Why did this work? Hmm... perhaps lizards have an innate fear of birds? And eggshells emit 'bird odour'? I don't know.
3. How do you remove unsightly price tags/stickers from the new stuff that you'd just bought? One of my main peeve about buying something new is the price tags or stickers that are difficult to remove. They are really sticky and get torn while you're halfway through. If you're in this mess, grab a cotton cloth, drench it with olive oil and try to rub the sticker remains away. You may need to exert force for trickier cases. OR, a smarter way to get around this is to tear it away immediately after you pay for it while they're still 'fresh' and not so sticky. This applies especially to hot and humid climates like Singapore. OR, another easy way is to put it in an aircon room for a while before removal. The gist is to remove them when they are as DRY as possible.
4. How to clean your water boiler/airpot?
I have a 3-litre boiler that I clean everytime I see whitish deposits in the water, or when I see mineral 'barnacles' forming on the sides of the boiler pot - about once every 2 months. I'll either use the juice of 2 lemons or about 100ml of vinegar (distilled or rice wine vinegar) and boil it together with a full pot of water in the boiler as usual. Let the acidic hot liquid sit in the boiler for about 4 hours before pouring them away and flushing the boiler pot with clean water before boiling a fresh pot of water for consumption. This also removes the brownish pot stains, but for tougher stains you will have to repeat the procedure.
Both lemon and vinegar works well but vinegar is a stronger cleaner so I suggest using lemon first, especially for brand-new boilers. Also, remember to wipe down the nozzle area which may be stained with coffee/tea/milk stains - you'll need to bend down and look up the nozzle for a better view. Wipe down thoroughly with a clean tissue dapped with some hot/warm clean water. If left unclean for too long, there might even be mould. Yikes!
Extra boiler tip: Buy them tall enough so that you can refill taller bottles. Once I bought one that is too short and it was very inconvenient. Also, a three-litre boiler is enough for 3 persons, if you drink cooled boiled water from it. And always remember, change the boiler when the rubber gasket that runs around the rim of boiler cover has turned flat and has ceased to seal the boiler properly. Extra electrical energy is used (and wasted) to keep the water around boiling point. This also holds true to faulty fridge rubber gaskets that trims around its doors - more energy is used to keep the fridge cool because the door is not sealed well when closed, as if the door is left opened permanently!
Once, I replaced an old boiler as the hot air gushes out from everywhere, scalding my hands. To my surprise, the electricity bill for the following month reduced significantly by 20 bucks. Coincidence or not, I believe a large part was due to the faulty boiler gasket.
Also, buy boiler with a touch button for dispensing water. It is so much easier than having one that comes with a huge button that you have to exert strength while dispensing water. Imagine the effort and time taken to fill up a 2 litre bottle!
Both lemon and vinegar works well but vinegar is a stronger cleaner so I suggest using lemon first, especially for brand-new boilers. Also, remember to wipe down the nozzle area which may be stained with coffee/tea/milk stains - you'll need to bend down and look up the nozzle for a better view. Wipe down thoroughly with a clean tissue dapped with some hot/warm clean water. If left unclean for too long, there might even be mould. Yikes!
Extra boiler tip: Buy them tall enough so that you can refill taller bottles. Once I bought one that is too short and it was very inconvenient. Also, a three-litre boiler is enough for 3 persons, if you drink cooled boiled water from it. And always remember, change the boiler when the rubber gasket that runs around the rim of boiler cover has turned flat and has ceased to seal the boiler properly. Extra electrical energy is used (and wasted) to keep the water around boiling point. This also holds true to faulty fridge rubber gaskets that trims around its doors - more energy is used to keep the fridge cool because the door is not sealed well when closed, as if the door is left opened permanently!
Once, I replaced an old boiler as the hot air gushes out from everywhere, scalding my hands. To my surprise, the electricity bill for the following month reduced significantly by 20 bucks. Coincidence or not, I believe a large part was due to the faulty boiler gasket.
Also, buy boiler with a touch button for dispensing water. It is so much easier than having one that comes with a huge button that you have to exert strength while dispensing water. Imagine the effort and time taken to fill up a 2 litre bottle!
5. Instant beverages clip. I like to drink instant beverages in 2 to 3 batches as I cannot finish one whole packet in one go. Often, I also make my own version of teh si, teh halia or yuan yang (milk tea, milk tea with ginger and coffee plus tea - all with my own adult milk as creamer) and couldn't finish the whole packet. So, to keep the remaining contents fresh, I'll fold down the packet opening a few times, secure it with a wooden peg and put them in the fridge.
6. Sewing tip. Use tape to keep stray threads from scattering all over the table/floor while you are sewing.
Also, if you have no needle holder, try sticking them on the thread. I had mine on my favourite colour (blue) so that I won't forget which roll of thread they are on.
In addition, if you are at the end of the sewing line and trying to tie a dead knot to secure the line but found that you do not have enough thread left, try this: after looping the thread with the needle, make the knot by entering the needle from the other side where the needle hole is. Hope this really helps.
7. Remove batteries from rarely-used remote controllers. This also applies to your other electronic/electrical gadgets or devices or even toys. If not used for a period of time, batteries which are left in the device may corrode which may, in turn, damage the device itself. Once, I returned home from a one-week vacation and found that the TV remote controller was not working. I opened the battery compartment and found leaky batteries that have corroded the area! Lesson learnt: Remove batteries from remote controllers before leaving house for holiday trips.
8. Do note that there's an expiry date for wet tissue, especially the antibacterial ones. If you buy wet tissue for its antibacterial properties that kill germs, you should look out for its expiry date.
9. How do you clean pillows? Unless otherwise stated in the care instructions of pillows, I'll sun and air my pillows on my window grilles every month. If needed, I'll beat it by throwing/slamming it on the floor several times, which helps retain its shape.
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| This is one great use of horizontal window grilles |
10. Tip for chilli lovers! If you love sambal belacan chilli but dread the oil that comes with it then this tip is for you. Simply drench the chilli with a tissue for a few minutes to soak up the oil. Then remove the oil-drenched tissue either with your fingers or with a chopstick. And now you can enjoy your favourite sauce worry-free as you are saving loads of calories! But remember, do not remove ALL the oil as the chilli will become really dry.
11. Dilute handwash/dishwash liquid to prevent over-drying the skin of your hands. Replace half the liquid with water and mix well. This will, in fact, makes rinsing an easier job!
12. Equip your home with an effective 100% food grade liquid cleanser. Not only does it safely clean fruits, vegetables and baby/kid's stuff (e.g. toys, nursing bottle), it is also an excellent odour removal. After preparing foods like fish or prawns, I always use it to remove fishy odour from my hands, the kitchen sink and even the dish washing sponge. I also use it to remove the onion and even pet odour from my hands. And every weekend, using a bottle brush, I'll use it to wash the family's water flask and everyone's water bottle.
13. Remove sticky residue of cloth-like handyplast using body/hand lotion. Just use some lotion to 'melt' it and rub it away gently. In trickier cases, use a cloth dapped with the lotion for rubbing. But more importantly, in the first place, you should remove it after you have wet the plaster with some tap water. It is not only easier to remove but also much less painful, especially if you are removing for a baby or toddler with delicate skin.
14. A first aid box is a must for every home! I like to put them in a container with a clip-on overhead torch as shown below. Tip: Include lavender essential massage oil in the box so that you can take a whiff or use it for a quick neck/shoulder massage when you're feeling stressed out. Yes, this is my version of emotional first-aid!
More importantly, I'll use it to 'rescue' my son whenever he gets his fingers/leg stuck in his toys (this happens rather frequently!). Just pour a good amount on the stuck area and gently shift from side to side till the stuck area slips out smoothly. Remember, DO NOT use force - you might hurt the fingers/legs. You can even make an instant aromatherapy to relax your mind and body. Just drip a few drops of the oil in a cup of hot/warm water to enjoy the scent (this works best in air-con room and is especially helpful in inducing sleep at night). Anyway, I'm loving my first aid box!
More importantly, I'll use it to 'rescue' my son whenever he gets his fingers/leg stuck in his toys (this happens rather frequently!). Just pour a good amount on the stuck area and gently shift from side to side till the stuck area slips out smoothly. Remember, DO NOT use force - you might hurt the fingers/legs. You can even make an instant aromatherapy to relax your mind and body. Just drip a few drops of the oil in a cup of hot/warm water to enjoy the scent (this works best in air-con room and is especially helpful in inducing sleep at night). Anyway, I'm loving my first aid box!
15. Take fruits or veggies out of fridge to wash only when you're about to eat them. This will help retain its freshness and crispiness. Once, a strawberry farmer told me strawberries are 'afraid' of water as they will start to 'rot' immediately upon contact with water. Conclusion: wash fresh produce (fruits/veggies) just prior to consumption.
16. Mind the gap! Take a GOOD LOOK at the spaces or grooves between the spikes of your hair brush, toothbrush and dining utensils. Are they filled with brownish grime and dirt? If they are (yikes!), then it's time to clean or replace them. Most grime can be removed easily by spraying it under a high-pressure tap for just a few seconds. Thank goodness I still have left just one of this tap in my entire home - the rest are water-saving, low-pressure types. For forks, use a smaller fork to scrape out dirt in between the grooves.
17. Buy a grout brush. The protruding brush bristles in the middle part of the brush makes cleaning the tile grouts a much targeted and less back-breaking job. I wished I have bought them earlier because it makes grout cleaning so much easier. Now, my bathroom tile grouts are as good as new, even at the wall-to-wall and wall-to-floor joint! The best part is, they cost only 2 dollars! After all the struggles with tile grouts cleaning, this calls for a celebration!
18. Clean all electronic gadgets regularly to protect your family from harmful bacteria. Once in awhile, I'll use Dettol wipes to clean the house phones, handphones, computer keyboards and tablets to remove dirt, grime and harmful germs! And if I'm doing spring cleaning, I'll use Dettol wipes on my home's light switches, fan switches, door knobs and remote controllers (e.g. those of air-con, fan, TV, DVD player and game station).
19. Keeping foods fresh. Remove as much air from your food packages before resealing them in order to keep them fresh, mold-free and crispy. Read: Air = moisture, and moisture promotes decaying. Therefore, you must also make sure that your hands are absolutely dry when you are picking out food from the packages from the fridge. They should also be returned to the fridge as soon as you are done with them to prevent condensation. Keep silica gel pads that come with your food packages until you finish the food - they help absorb moisture and thus, keep your food fresh.
20. Squeak alert! Do not ignore squeaky parts of any furniture joints in your house. Treat them just like the joints of your knees - squeaking indicates they are wearing out and needs fixing and lubrication. Examples include: bolts and nuts of all furniture, movable parts of windows and doors (e.g. hinges), sliding tracks, bearings and etc. Remember, the longer you ignore them, the faster they will wear out completely. Can you imagine a ceased up door lock? Lubricate joints by dripping them with enough oil and move the joints a few times to let the oil seep in between.
21. Solutions for your little 'artist' at home. For the umpteenth time, your little kid has scribbled something on the floor tiles or cabinet again. For me, I always use a colourless nail polish remover dabbed onto a cloth to remove them. Cleaning is a breeze! To solve this recurring problem, I gave him a wall with a whiteboard and told him that he can only scribble there. Sometimes he 'forgets' about it and still draws at the wrong places, but at least this has significantly reduced my cleaning chores.
22. Construction site facing your house windows and is making your house dusty? Not an air-con person and don't wish to shut your windows all day? Try this: designate one room in your home to put all the displays, whatnots, and difficult to clean stuff (e.g. books, hi-fi system) into it so that you do not have to spent time wiping them everyday. This 'clean room' should have its doors closed at all times so that dust cannot enter. This has saved me so much work. Return all stuff to their former positions when the construction works are completed.
23. How to clean tough stains on bathroom glasses and glass soap dish? Just like how you would clean your water boiler (see no. 4), put some acid (lemon or vinegar) and very hot water and soak the affected area for at least 2 hours. The stain should come of easily but repeat if necessary.
24. Insert strings of drawstring pants or bags using a plastic coffee stirrer that comes with a loop. Is the waist string accidentally removed from your pants and is difficult to put it back in? Simply tie one end of string to a plastic stirrer with a loop and slip the plastic spoon through by pushing with your fingers until it appears on the other side.
Wondering what's the wooden stick doing there? Its for me to untie any stubborn knots easily. Please see below. Basically you just stick the sharper end of the chopstick into the knot and wriggle your way out :0
25. Use shower soap to wash toilet. For many years, I've been searching for that perfect multi-purpose toilet cleaner. I've tried many of them bought from the local supermarkets but they were disappointing. They either failed to remove the soap scum on the shower glass or they are too harsh that they give my skin (on hands and feet) blisters. Once, in my dismay, I simply used my lavender body shower (diluted with water) to wash down the whole toilet and it worked! The toilet is clean, the glass is scum-free (although, not perfectly but still fine by my standards), I didn't get blisters and my bathroom smells heavenly. Take note not to use fancy body showers that leave a white film or stain after they dry up, especially those that come with moisturizing or whitening properties. You may need to try a few types to find the right one.
26. Invest in an ironing board according to your height. I recently bought a new ironing board as the old-school one that I owned gave way. But this time, I bought one that can be adjusted to a higher and thus, a more comfortable height for me, and I wonder why I didn't notice that the old one was at a level too low for comfort and was putting a strain on my back every time I iron. With this new ironing board, I don't have to slouch while ironing anymore.
27. Interchange insoles of your shoes to get a perfectly-fitting shoe. Are you giving away yet another new pair of shoes simply because they give you feet pain? Before that, perhaps you can try swopping the insoles of your shoes (from an old or a new shoe) to find a better fit. Insoles can totally change the fit of your shoes. The next time you want to discard an old shoe, keep the insole that is still in good condition. You can swop it with your other shoes that doesn't fit well. Most insoles are lightly glued to the shoe and can be removed by tearing out carefully. Remember, wearing a pair of comfortable shoe is the first step (literally) to creating a wonderful day.
28. How to make your clothes last longer.
- Wash and dry them inside out. Do not use too much detergent.
- Do not dry them directly under the sun
- Iron them inside out
- Iron them with minimum heat which is just enough to straighten them.
- No pulling or tugging at them especially when they're still wet.