Life Made Easy

COFFEE FILTERS
Paper coffee filters work just as hard away from the pot. Their strong fibers keep them from crinkling or dissolving in water

1. Keep fine china flawless. Rest a coffee filter between each dish before storing. The filters acts as a cushion to prevent chips and cracks.

2. Put an end to microwave splatters. Placed upside down over a dish, the filter will protect against a mess without touching the food.

3. Outsmart pesky glass streaks. Spray the surface with a cleaning solution and wipe with an unused filter-it won't flake, tear or leave lint behind.



SALT
Besides being essential to our health, salt is a popular all-around-the-house helper. Acting as a mild abrasive and humectant are just a few of salt's tricks.

1. Make candles drip-proof. Combine 1/2 Tbs. of salt and 2 cups of water, then soak candles for 2 hours. Remove and let dry. A thin invisible crust will form on the surface that will keep away melted wax encased.

2. Help vibrant fabrics retain their color. As the washer is filling, pour 1 cup of salt in with your laundry. It will set the pigment during the wash cycle, guaranteeing colors won't bleed.

3. Frost-proof your windshield. Just a spritz a salt-water solution on the window before you go to bed. The coating lowers the freezing point of water, which prevents snow and condensation from sticking to the glass.





DRYER SHEETS
Laundry sheets emit positively charged ions, which attract negatively charged particles. The result: The sheets reduce static and easily pick up dirt and dust.

1. Whisk away specks on specs. Wipe lenses clean with a used dryer sheet. The magnetic charge lifts dust and grease without scratching the delicate surface.

2. Keep TV screens clear longer. Wipe an LCD screen with a used dryer sheet. The sheet's electrons remove dirt and cancel out dust-attracting static, so future grime is less likely to stick.

3. Treat tootsies to a refreshing dip. Place 2 dryer sheets in a bowl of warm water and soak your feet for 10 minutes. Then use them to buff away rough, scaly patches on your feet.The softeners in the laundry staple work to moisturize weary skin.


LEMONS

Their high citric acid concentration makes lemons ideal for nontoxic cleaning, deodorizing and exfoliating.

1. Brighten discolored whites. Pour 1 cup of lemon juice into the washer after adding the detergent. The citric acid will gently bleach the fabric.

2. Guarantee a long-lasting manicure. Soak fingertips in a mixture of 1/4 cup of lemon juice and 2 cups of warm water for 4 minutes. Rough cuticles will be softened my the juice's alpha hydroxy acid without being robbed of moisture. Plus, the citric acid gently strips away nail's surface oils so polish adheres better.

3. Keep fruit from turning brown. Sprinkle lemon juice over fruit after slicing and let the ascorbic acid work its magic. It will slow down the oxidation that occurs when fruit's pigments are exposed to air.


PETROLEUM JELLY
This petroleum by-product is an odorless, semisolid mixture of hydrocarbons. Why do we love it? It lubricates, repels moisture, breaks down oil-based pigments, heals chapped lips and more.

1. Double the staying power of perfume. Prior to spritzing on fragrance, apply a dab of petroleum jelly to your wrists. The odorless oils in the jelly give scent molecules something to bond to, so the perfume lingers longer.

2. Silence a squeaky shower curtain. Swiping a thin coat of petroleum jelly over the pole will give the metal a slick finish, so the curtain will slide open and shut quietly.

3. Make bath time tear-free. Coating your tot's eyebrows with petroleum jelly provides a water-resistant barrier that prevents shampoo bubbles from stinging his eyes.



You can find these and more in First Healthy Living Made Easy