Cleaning Shoes

Tried washing shoes in washing machine and they got shrink I faced this problem twice with different pair one with adidas and one with new balance thinking that it is different material. If you want to give it a try..... http://www.ehow.com/how_2292648_wash-sneakers-washing-machine.html.  Contributor: Padmaswetha.

I use washer all the time and will run it in delicate wash mode. Then add them to drier and did not have any problem. Washed nike, new balance and adidas. Contributor: Navneetha.

Furniture Scratches

Wooden furniture can be tricky; no matter how careful we are there might be some scratches on them. Couple of tips:

We can apply transparent nail polish to cover those scratches (or) use cover it with nail colour close to wood. Contributor: Durga

Some home stores like Home Depot, Ace and Lowe's carry wooden pens. Pick one that is close to wood colour and cover the scratch. It dries fast and really works. Contributor: Rani

Home tip for cockroaches....

Home recipe: Here is an effective one for those who don’t want to go with sprays and stuff.
One unit of boric acid powder
One unit of sugar
Two units of aata (wheat power)
Make it into a dough, then make the dough into balls, dry it in the sun (otherwise they will attract ants).When fully dry, you can leave them all over the place. They attract cockroaches for some reason. When they nibble on it, the acid eats them up and leaves back just brown power and a couple of wings.
Works like magic. Contributor: Uma Duddu

Little Picaso's......

To get rid of the pencil and crayon markers try these........

Try regular white toothpaste..got the tip from HGTV. Contributor:Sriharsha

Mix white Vineger in water and try it, it even removes stains on carpet. Contributor: Keerthi

Tried using white toothpaste use it helps to clear the crayon writing. Contributor: Prasanthi

Try this link. This work for me.Contributor:Pushpa

Shower Curtains, Tiles & Liners

Put shower curtains along with two old towels in the washer, towels help in scrubbing the dirt away. And hang it. Read that we should not put curtain in the dryer.

Try this twice weekly -Spray vinegar lightly at the bottom of the curtain liner and scrub it. This will make curtain very neat.Contributor: Siri


Liners: Spread the liner after you take a shower and will dries out clean. If you see dirt at the bottom wipe it with wet wipes once in a while. If you see mold in between the tiles try to clean it with bleach (make sure to use gloves for the safety of the hands) and for every six months use chaulk(available in walmart or any home stores like homedepot etc). Contributors: Sree and Sriharsha

This and That.......(Part II)

If you are anaemic with low blood values try eating jaggery as big as a lemon along with roasted peanuts. Make sure to remove the husk of the peanuts. You can try eating peanut balls made out of jaggery which is also good for the same purpose.Contributor:Pushkala

Also for ladies try eatting a little piece of jaggery everyday in the morning along with breakfast, it will act like glucose and boosts your energy.Contributor:Pushkala

If you want your pulihora taste better try cooking dals along with rice. That's it.Contributor:PadmaSwetha.

For long life of Cilantro try wrapping it in the aluminium foil and save it in refrigerator. Contributor:PadmaSwetha.

To avoid green chillies from becoming red save them in a container along with some turmerice.Contributor:PadmaSwetha.

Add rangoli(muggu) or chalk powder and to clean the oil spill on the floo. Contributor:Swetha

More Tips.......

Here is a link for good website. Contributor:Radha

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Headache

You don't find any difference in your headache even after drinking tea or applying zandu balm. Here is a tip that works for sure. Make a paste out of water and dry ginger(sonti podi) and apply it on your forehead. Contributor:Nirupama


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Rice Cooker Cleaning

Make a paste with a combination of tamarind paste and lemon and use this to make the bottom of the rice cooker clean. Contributor:Srividya

Fill the cooker with 3/4 volume water and add lemon slices to it. Close the pan with lid and turn it on.Make sure to get one whistle and turn it off. This should clean right away. Contributor:Nirupama, Roopa.

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Digestive Problems

Mix ajwain and salt to control burps. It also helps in controlling indigestion.Contributor:Sushma

We can use pudina hara to control indigestion. It is available in Indian stores.
Milk of Magnesia good for severe constipation. It can also be used by brestfeeding moms but make sure to confirm with you gynecologists.Contributor:Swathi U

Eating or drinking jeera rasam daily jeekalara rasam will also reduce constipation. Contributor:Nirupama

Eat a little of curd with methi seeds and also drinking sabudana porridge(saggubiyyam jawa) with buttermilk will definetely control the symptoms of Desentry.Believe me it really works.Contributor: RamaRamesh.

To control loose motions quickly mix menthi powder with water and drink it.Contributor:RamaRamesh

Let's not forget Kitchen....

We should add a few drops of buttermilk or lemon juice when cookingbhendi to avoid stickiness. We can also add a little tamarind paste or one spoon curd to bhendi. Contributor:Pushkala, Swetha, Kumari

If there is more salt in gravies, just add milk, curd or cream. Also do the same if the gravy becomes too spicy. Contributor:Swetha

If ghee or oil spills, it will be hard to clean up. Just sprinkle some rice flour over it
and clean. Contributor:Pushkala

To avoid stickiness of banana while cooking, add turmeric to the water when cutting or boiling. this make easy to clean hands or the dish we cook.It made a lot of difference to me.Contributor:Pushkala

If you want to retain the green color of spinach avoid putting lid on the pan when
boiling spinach.Contributor:Sandhya

You can peel garlic easily if you keep them in microwave for twenty seconds. Contributor:Shruthi.

Wart Removal

Add water to sunnam(the one we use to make pan) and apply it daily which will help in dropping of the wart.
Try to cut the wart by using a horse hair also helps. It does cause a little pain but definetely wart is gone.
Garlic rasam is also known to remove warts but needs to apply it daily and will eventually falls off. Make sure to apply rasam only on the wart otherwise it can make a mark on the skin.Contributor:Vidya


This link has good information regarding wart removal. Hope this helps. Contributor:Nirupama

Dosa it is.......

If you want a crispy dosa, add a fistful of soaked sabudana(saggubiyyam) and grind it.Contributor:Sriharsha

If you forget to add sabudana while soaking. Add a fistful of poha by running them under water and squeezing water of it and grind along with the batter. Chanadal also can be used for crispier dosas.Contributor:Sravanthi

Grind onion and add this to the batter just before making dosas. This adds so much taste and flavour to dosas. Contributor:Sadhana

Preserving Coconuts

We can store coconut in deep fridge. If we do that we can use them for almost a month. Because of the deep fridge it will also be easy to remove the pulp with a knife just before use. Contributor:Geetu, Harshini.


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Kitchen Cuts and Burns

Apply turmeric or tea powder to control bleeding. Contributor:Manasa

Try applying triple antibiotic cream on the boil. Hold the cut or burn under the running water or apply honey to avoid marks. Contributor: Vidya

Apply Aloe Vera gel available in most of the drug stores. It also cools down the burning sensation. We should apply it everyday to fade the marks of these burns and cuts. It does not need any prescription  and is available for $5.00. Here is the link for it. Contributor:Archana

Stove Top Cleaning and Electric stove

Stains can be removed by spreading baking soda then sprinkling a little water on it. Let it rest for five minutes and then wipe off with paper towel or antibacterial wipes. Without any effort stain goes off like magic. Moreover baking powder is organic and harmless.Contributor:Kalyani

Easy off cleaner works best for any kind of stove cleaning.Contributor:Sriharsha

Electric StoveTop: Use Comet Bleach. Spread it along with little water for five minutes and wipe it off.

 

Indian Non Stick Tavva Cleaning

I use soap pads for everything, we can get them in walmart.It cleans silver, brass, nonstick pans. Contributor:Jyothi.

We can cut raw potato and try to rub it around the pan and clean. Usually I try to avoid easy off cleaning on cooking utensils.Contributor:Ujwala

When using dosa tavva, once finished making dosas try scratching the pan corners with wooden spoon.Contributor:YRK

If we put non-stick pan in dishwasher pan can get scratches so use papernapkin to rub tavva.After that wash it regularly.Contributor:Nirupama

Stains On Sarees-2

Oil Stain: Try rubbing talcum powder on fresh stain. Also you can use atta until the oil is obsorbed.Contributor:Madhuri.

Also try washing with mild shampoo.Contributor:Sriharsha.

Dispose Deep Fried Oil

I usually drain it through the sink and let the hot water run for some time so that it will not clog the drain. Contributor: Shruthi.

I usually save carryout boxes and ocassionally yogurt box, will dispose in it. Contributor: Meera Girija.

Electric Roti Maker Reviews

Most of rotimakers are ok not that great, but the puris come out great. Contributor:Sree Chandana, Hasita.

I was using this roti maker and it was very useful for me. Chapati comes out really good without oil and even used to puff good.and even my mom is using it since one year and is useful verymuch. But dough must be a little loose.I do not know about everybody else but it worked for me very well, chapathis puff like puris. We can try they show the demo and watch it carefully so that you will know the consistency of dough it should be. Contributor:Santhi

I use the rotimaker same as santhi's which is "VIJAY ROTI MAKER". It works best for me. The main thing is the consistency of the dough like Santhi mentioned. She attended the demo so she showed me how to mix that and everything else works great for me. They even puff out like puris. Contributor:Vidya

This and That.......

Lint rollers: To remove any lint from any plush blankets which is very common problem.Contributor:Sriharsha.

Fabric softner: To remove static in the drier cycles.Contributor:Sriharsha

Laundry accidents: When a new color sticks on white clothes. use bleach only if garments are completely white;otherwise it going to ruin the clothes.

Gum on Jacket:Place a paper towel on the gum. Iron on paper towel, gum will stick to paper towel and comes off.Contributor:Roopa

Mouse Traps: Catchmaster Glue Board, Model#72TC Non-Poisonous and useful for Insects also.Contributor:Vidya

Laundry

Indian Clothing:
Partywear: Wash our embroided and partywear in light wash cycle by placing them in pillow covers. This way dreses get clean without loosing any quality or stones. Make sure to leave the dress in the pillow covers in the dryer also.

Discoloration of Clothes: In target you will find color catchers pack. It is similar to dryer sheets that we use for home dry cleaning. Take one sheet out of this pack and wrap it with the garment that you think will discolor and wash it along with all the other clothes. By the end of the wash cycle all the color will stick to the sheet and you do not worry about the other clothes. Contributor: Ujwala.

Collars and Cuffs: Rub thick layer of detergent into the stains of collars and cuffs just before adding into the wash cycle. Outside india, you can buy laundry spray to remove stains. Spray it onto the collars and cuffs, wait for 15 minutes and then run it through the wash cycle.

Ink stains on clothes:
Rub tooth paste on the ink stain, then rub on the same stain with surf.Contributor: Madhuri
Apply hair spray on the ink stains and rinse it, wash it regularly. Contributor: Anitha
To get rid of the ball point pen, rub the stain with cotton wool dipped in spirit. Contributor:Kanthi

Fresh Smell For Laundried Clothes

-Add Downy Fabric Softner along with detergent, add Bounce dryer sheets in drying cycle. Contributor:Keerti,Sindhu,Priya

-In India Comfort works best. Add 1 cup of comfort to one bucket of water, dip washed clothes in the solution and then hang clothes to dry....suvasanale suvasalanalu...... Contributor:Harini

-We can even add this comfort in washer, but be careful to add it when the water for rinsing is filling.If the machine is fully automatic add it to the softner compartment. Contributor:Uma

Carpet Stains

Curry Stains: Mix 2-3 spoons of vinegar, laundry detergent in hot water. Spread it on the stain, and let it dry. Sprinkle some hot water and remove it with tissue paper.

Paint: Use any stain remover from walmart. Contributor:Geeta

Cooldrink Stain: Can use sprite or Foaming Cleanser available at walmart. When using foaming cleanser spray it and let it stand for few minutes and then clean it. It usually cleans with out scrubbing. Contributor: Jyothsna and chaitali

Pickle Stain: Take a small amount of dish detergent(not the one that we use in dishwasher)and rub it into the stain and wipe it with wet cloth. Do not use lot of water which could result in bubbles, repeat it as needed.Contributor:Sriharsha

Turmeric Stain: Usually lysol will remove all the turmeric stains, but for carpet use oxy clean stain remover. And if possible use steam cleaning. Oxy clean is so powerful it removes oil and pickle stains. Contributor:Meera Girija, Sriharsha.

Safety Valves Stuck

Try cleaning with a pin and also wash the pin and change it to a new one. Contributor: Suchitra, Bhargavi.Anita


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Grease on tavva

**Thin Layer Grease: Let tavva get warm or medium high hot and then using a multilayered tissue and rub it. This should clean grease right away. Multilayered tissue is very important otherwise it can burn your fingers.
***Thick Layer Grease: If the tavva is bought in India, this comes along with a green scrubber. Try cleaning with it with little force, this will not disturb any coating on the pan. Contributor:Sravanthi.

Though it is not tried and tested we can try using a grill cleaner but make sure it does not damage the pans. Contributor: Pushpa

Try using vinegar dissolved in water, try pouring it on to the pan as a thin layer.
Bed bath and beyond carries a square silicone tool to clean non stick pans.......this may work. More over non stick pans are not meant to be washed in dish washers. By doing so we are forcing them to leave their coating and making it more vulnerable health wise...as the coating may enter our body through food.Contributor:Meera girija

Store Indian Grocery In Bulk

Try to save them in airtight big containers that we get in walmart or target. And save them in places where the temperatures stay dry. Contributor: Sree

You can save rice and wheat in garage but make sure you save dals in the kitchen closets. Contributor: Swetha

Include some cloves or bayleaves in the bags or the containers that you use for storing groceries. Contributor: Pushpa

If you add red chillies along with groceries will also avoid accumulation of bugs(mukka purugulu). Contributor:Nirupama

Gasket

If you keep gaskets in fridge,this will make it last longer. Contribute: Sriharsha



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Refrigerator Odors

One of the best method is keeping baking soda in the fridge doors. Mark the dates and change it for every three months. Contributor:Sindhu, Sirisha.

Try putting lemon slices or water boiled with lemon peels in the fridge to eliminate odors. One more tip to try is to remove all the items in the fridge, clean with clorox wipes and keep the fridge doors open for two hours and see. Contributor: Anupama

Clean Nonstick and Steel Dishes

To clean steel dishes use any tarnish removers like copper glow and should clean out easily. Contributor:Visalakshee

Nonstick: Use easy off cleaner to clean the outside of the nonstick pan. But never use it inside.Contributor:Sriharsha.

Bed Bugs

1. Throw away your mattress, couch and any other wooden furniture.
2. Ask management for some storage space like garage and put all your stuff there...empty all the closets...turn the furniture upside down...
3. Ask the management to do the extermination. All the bed bugs are gone here.
4. If you get a new mattress, then walmart lo vinyl zip lock mattress protector ani untundi...buy even that...bed bugs can't crawl on plastic...so there is no way that they can enter into your new mattress. Also, mee bed frame legs, mee baby crib legs ni oka plastic cover tho wrap chesi, tie it with a thread...meedi hard wood floor ayithe, bed bugs cracks lo unde chances untaayi kada...so bed and crib legs ni plastic tho wrap chesthe, they can't crawl onto your bed
5. Before getting all your things back into your home, launder all the clothes that you can and put them in extra large zip lock bags that you get in walmart...$20 ki 3 bags vasthaayi.
Laundry chesinappudu clothes lo unna bed bugs and also eggs pothaayi.
6. Now the important step that you shouldn't miss...bed bugs eggs hatch on 11th day ata...so make sure that the management does the extermination again on 11th day. Contributor:Shweta

You can also get rid of these bed bugs by spraying a chemical called "Phantom" or "Suspend" which is available in home stores. This should work immediately without much fuss. Contributor:Pushpa

If you go to home depot they recommend you with bed bug spray and you can keep spraying it every month just as a precaution for future. Contributor:Priya

Bugs in First Floor

Try keeping eucalyptus leaves or pudina to avoid bugs. Contributor:Sriharsha.

Drains Clogged?

We can use plungers, hair stoppers etc. Insert a toothbrush and turn it around and all the clogged hair will come out. Contributor: Vidya

Here we can find liquid plumber in any grocery store which is best for kitchen sinks and bath tubs. It is a gel and add 1-2 cups of gel to the drain. After ten minutes flush the drain with hot water, this will unclog the drain. Contributor:Chaitali

Drainex also works well in cleaning drains and should be done in 20 minutes. Contributor:Sriharsha

Cold and Coughs- Home Remedy

                                                    Source:  http//naturalcuresreport.com

Nose Block: Pin a peppercorn to a safety pin, and hold it on top of burner until it is burnt. Then inhale the flames and you will find relief in five minutes.

Severe Cold and Allergies:  Boil a vessel full of water and try to inhale the steam. Try adding little amount of Vicks or turmeric just before inhaling which is very refreshing. This is very useful tip especially when you are suffering from allergies.  

Dry Cough: We can control dry cough by chewing a piece of karakkaya in your cheek. It is available in small seeds, break it and use a small piece every time. You can chew this while sleeping at night which provides you with good night sleep and in turn a refreshing morning.
                             When children suffering from congestion, it very difficult. It is not safe for them to chew karakkaya at night. Instead break karakkaya into small pieces and boil it along with some water, and make sure kids drink two spoons of this kashayam for every hour. This should provide relief for dry coughs for little ones.

Bellam Kashayam: Consider using a piece of jaggery that has sharp edges. Hold it on the top of burning candle; collect the drips of jaggery into a vessel. Mix this jaggery drops along with water and drink it. This provides a great relief to severe coughs. 
Kids:  Use five drops in two spoons of water
Adults: Use 25 drops in two spoons of water  

Sore Throat: Gargle Solutions
Solution 1:- Boil one and half cups of water and just before it comes to boiling temperature. Add ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (karam), ¼ tsp pepper powder and ½ tsp cloves powder. Let it boil for one minute and turn off the stove, when this solution comes to warm temperature. Gargle with this solution for three times.
Solution 2: Boil four-black peppers, 1/2 cinnamon stick, 1/2 inch ginger slightly smashed, two-clove ,1/2 sp of ajwain1/2 spoon along with one cup of water. When water turns to red color let it become warm, cool and gargle.

Solution 3: Gargle with a solution of ice-cold pineapple or orange juice. 

Apology

Dear Members - Sorry for not updating the posts upto date, but will work on it from now. Took a long break cause of some personal problems. I will make sure this does not happen again. Thank you all for your co-operation.

Heavenly Bathrooms

Source : http://www.homeinteriorszone.com/

A Bathroom is one place where you can get a break, without your kids shouting and your DH's requests. A nice warm bath without any disturbance always feels peaceful. So, here are some tips to keep this peaceful place attractive and heavenly.

1. Showers And Tubs: To cut down on the mildew growth, leave the window open (if you have one) or use a fan to reduce moisture. After a steamy shower, leave the shower door or curtain open and the door to bathroom, ajar to prevent mildew.To brighten up a bathtub that is yellowed, rub with a solution of salt and turpentine. If bath has a glass shower, use a squeege immediately after your turn to control hard water spots on glass. The best solution to clean glass, is water- advice from an expert who installed glass shower in our house.
2. Shower Heads : If clogged, boil them in a solution of 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 quart water, for 15 minutes.
3. Shower Curtains: We can reduce mildew build up on curtains by spreading them, after you finish taking a shower. Once a month, wash the shower curtain in a warm water wash cycle, along with 2 large bath towels. Add 1/2 cup each of detergent and baking soda. Run through the entire wash cycle. Optionally you can add 1 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle, for an extra clean wash. Do not spin dry or wash the vinegar out, after the rinse cycle. Hang immediately. Wrinkles will disappear after the curtain has thoroughly dried. This method will not work without the bath towels.
4. Fixtures: Spray the fixtures liberally with "Spray and Wash" laundry soil and stain remover. Buff with cloth for an excellent shine.Chrome fixtures: Gentle is the keyword when cleaning chrome, because chrome plating is so thin it wears off easily. Clean with a soft cloth dipped in a solution of warm water and dishwashing detergent. You can keep the chrome shine for a longer time, by applying a light coat of silicon wax polish used on cars, and buffing it. Lime deposits often build up on chrome bathroom fixtures. Clean first with detergent and warm water, then wrap the chrome fixture with cloth soaked in white vinegar or a commercial descaler such as CLR. The deposits should soon dissolve.

Tip:Sweep the bathroom floor,and mop it with a solution of water and Fabuloso(lavendar- my personal favourite). Light up a candle and leave it in the bathroom, with the door closed for an hour or two, depending on size of your bathroom. Do not forget to turn the candle off .

Home made mildew remover

• Mix 3 to 4 quarts of water, 1 quart of liquid chlorine bleach, and 2 to 3 ounces of TSP(Tri Sodium Phosphate). TSP is usually used to clean grease,grime and mold from most household surfaces, and is sold in hardware stores and home centers.