The ol' Skinflint Curmudgeon

Uses - items from your kitchen

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101 Uses for.....
Holiday Newsletter 2006

Disclaimer; these shared ideas are exactly that, shared in the tradition of folklore.  Skinflint Curmudgeon just shares the ideas, doesn't take responsibility for whether they work or not..use your own common sense and good judgement
 
This page shares uses fo items you find in most every kitchen: 
-Baking Soda
-Vinegar
-Salt
-Lemon Juice
- Olive Oil

Many Uses for Baking Soda
 
link to Arm & Hammer website  for more suggestions

CLEANING

*Use to remove melted plastic bread wrapper from toaster. Dampen cloth and make a mild abrasive with baking soda.
 
*Use dry with a small brush to rub canvas handbags clean.
 
*Use to sweeten sour dishcloths.
 
*Repel rain from windshield. Put gobs of baking soda on a dampened cloth and wipe windows inside and out. (vinegar also works)
 
*Soak your shower curtains in water and soda to clean them. (include a little vinegar as well for the germs)
 
*Keep your drains clean and free-flowing by putting 4 tablespoons of soda in them each week. Flush the soda down with hot water.
 
*Clean your bathroom with dry soda on a moist sponge - sink, tub, tiles, shower stall, etc.
 
*Clean plastic, porcelain and glass with dry soda on a damp cloth. Rinse and dry.
 
*To remove burned-on food from a pan: let the pan soak in soda and water for 10 minutes before washing. Or scrub the pot with dry soda and a moist scouring pad.
 
*Run your dishwasher through its cycle with baking soda in it instead of soap to give it a good cleaning.
 
*Polish silverware with dry soda on a damp cloth. Rub, rinse and dry.
 
*Sprinkle soda on greasy garage floor. Let stand, scrub and rinse.
 
*Sprinkle soda on barbecue grills, let soak, and then rinse off.
 
*To remove stubborn stains from marble, Formica or plastic surfaces, scour with a paste of soda and water.
 
*Wash out thermos bottles and cooling containers with soda and water to get rid of stale smells.
 
*Clean combs and brushes in a soda solution (unsure on this one as well, maybe boiling water is needed)
 
 

FOOD

*Add to water to remove the "gamey" taste from wild game.
 
*Add to water to soak dried beans to make them more digestible.
 
*When scalding a chicken, add 1 tsp. of soda to the boiling water. The feathers will come off easier and flesh will be clean and white.
 
*Clean vegetables and fruit with baking soda. Sprinkle in water, soak and raise the produce.
 
 
HEALTH

*Deep splinter removal can be a procedure requiring stitches, by soaking the affected finger in a solution of warm water and one tbsp. baking soda twice a day for about 20 minutes each time. After a few days the splinter will painlessly pop out, in the bowl of water.
 
*Use baking soda as an underarm deodorant.
 
*Windburns and sunburn: moisten some baking soda and apply directly.
 
*Bee sting and Bug bites: use a combination of baking soda and water.
 
*Used as a mouthwash, baking soda will also relieve canker sore pain; gargle with 1/2 tsp. baking soda in 1/2 glass of water. Freshens and cleans your mouth.
 
*Take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water to relieve acid indigestion or heartburn.
 
*Putting 2 tbsp. of baking soda in your baby's bath water will help relieve diaper rash irritations.
 
*Sprinkle baking soda on your wet toothbrush and brush your teeth and dentures with it.
 
 
MISC

*Making Play Clay: combine 1 1/4 cups water, 2 cups baking soda, 1 cup cornstarch.
 
*Sprinkle soda in tennis shoes, socks, boots and slippers to eliminate odor.
 
*Sprinkle a bit of dry soda in your ashtrays to prevent smoldering and reduce odor.
 
*Soda absorbs kitty litter odors. Cover the bottom of the kitty box with 1 part soda; then add a layer of 3 parts kitty litter on top.
 
*Deodorize your fridge and freezer by putting in an open container of baking soda to absorb odors. Stir and turn over the soda from time to time. Replace every 2 months.
 
*Baking soda will also put out fires in clothing, fuel, wood, upholstery and rugs.
If your baby spits up on his shirt after feeding, moisten a cloth, dip it in baking soda and dab at the dribbled shirt. The odor will go away.

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  Many Uses for Salt

link to Morton Salt website for lots more uses ideas


CLEANING


**If a pie bubbles over in your oven, put a handful of salt on top of the spilled juice. The mess won't smell and will bake into a dry, light crust that will wipe off easily when the oven has cooled

**Salt and lemon juice removes mildew

**Cover wine-stained fabric with salt; rinse in cool water later

**Soak enamel pans in salt water overnight and boil salt water in them next day to remove burned-on stains

**Rub any wicker furniture you may have with salt water to prevent yellowing.

**Freshen sponges by soaking them in salt water.

**Mildly salted water makes an effective mouthwash. Use it hot for a sore throat gargle.

**Use a mixture of salt and lemon juice to clean piano keys.

**Clean you iron by rubbing some salt on the damp cloth on the ironing surface.

**Clean brass, copper and pewter with paste made of salt and vinegar, thickened with flour

**Use salt to clean your discolored coffee pot.

**Sprinkle salt on your shelves to keep ants away


FOOD

**Soak fish in salt water before de-scaling; the scales will come off easier.

**Put a few grains of rice in your salt shaker so it doesn’t get sticky and easier pouring

**Add salt to green salads to prevent wilting.

** Test the freshness of eggs in a cup of salt water; fresh eggs sink; bad ones float.

**Add a little salt to your boiling water when cooking eggs; a cracked egg will stay in its shell this way.

**A tiny pinch of salt with egg whites makes them beat up fluffier.

**Soak wrinkled apples in a mildly salted water solution to perk them up.

**Rub salt on your pancake griddle and your flapjacks won't stick.

**Adding a little salt to the water when cooking foods in a double boiler will make the food cook faster

**Gelatin sets more quickly when a dash of salt is added.
 


MISC

**Boil clothespins in salt water before using them and they will last longer.

**Soak your clothesline in salt water to prevent your clothes from freezing to the line; likewise, use salt in your final rinse to prevent the clothes from freezing.

**Use salt for killing weeds in your lawn.

**To fill plaster holes in your walls, use equal parts of salt and starch, with just enough water to make a stiff putty.

**Eliminate excess suds with a sprinkle of salt.

**Add a little salt to the water your cut flowers will stand in for a longer life.

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   Uses for Lemon Juice
 
CLEANING

*Lemon juice can be use to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits

*Use to clean and shine brass and copper

*Mix with vinegar and or baking soda to make a cleaning paste. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section, then use the lemon to scrub dishes, surfaces and stains.

*Mix 1 cup of olive oil with 1.2 cup of lemon juice and use for furniture polish on hardwood


HEALTH- The chemical composition of lemons provides a natural defense against infection internally and externally.

*Cough Syrup: mix 1 part lemon juice with 2 parts honey ( Do not give to children under 1 year and test for food allergies)

*Sore Throat: drink tea with lemon and honey relaxes and soothes the throat, while relieving a cough. The lemons also help us recover from the flue. If you don’t like tea, use hot water, lemon juice and honey

*For the Digestion: drink lemon juice mixed with water in the morning or any time during the day.

*Dab a little lemon on the insect bite to help heal and reduce swelling


FOOD

*A lemon at room temperature will yield more juice than a cold one. If it is cold you can microwave it for a few seconds before squeezing

*Freeze the juice in ice cube trays, when frozen save in a plastic bag, Pull out later for use in drinks.

*Put Lemon wedges inside the cavity of a whole chicken for flavor

*Marinate meat with lemons to tenderize it

*Squeeze lemons onto vegetables while steaming, to keep the colors bright

*Add lemons or lemon juice to rice while cooking to make it fluffier

*Substitute lemon juice for vinegar when cooking for a different taste

*Add a few drops of lemon juice to improve the taste of fruits, this also cuts down on the browning effect they have over time.

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                   Use Olive Oil to:

1. Shave. Olive oil can provide a closer shave when used in place of shaving cream.

2. Shine stainless steel. Many cleaning standbys, such as ammonia,
can dull and even corrode chrome and stainless steel.
Olive oil, however, is a safe and effective shining agent.

3. Remove eye makeup. Dab a little under the eyes and rinse off with a washcloth.

4. Prevent wax from sticking to a candle holder. Rub a thin coat on the base of the holder before inserting a candle. Dripped wax should peel away easily.

5. Care for your pet.
Add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon to your cat's food to help prevent hair balls.

6. Moisturize cuticles. Apply a small amount of olive oil to the nail beds.

7. Treat dry skin. Rub a thin layer over the skin after a shower or a waxing.

8. 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 freely.

9. Dust wooden furniture. Apply a bit of oil to a cloth and wipe.

10. Silence squeaky doors. Lubricate hinges by applying a small dab to a cloth,
then wiping the top of the hinges so that the oil runs down the sides.

Furniture Polish - Olive Oil and Lemon Juice
Here is a great tip on saving money on furniture polish.
1 cup of olive oil
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 clean 16 oz. spray bottle
Combine the oil and lemon juice in the spray bottle. Shake well before using. Use a clean, dry cloth to buff and polish. Works wonders and saves you money! By Sabrina from Council, N.C.
------------------------------

 recipe on a video:
5 lemons
1 cup olive oil
spray bottle
Cut 5 lemons in half and squeeze all the juice in a measuring cup until you have 1/2 cup pure juice (remove any pulp and seeds) Pour lemon juice into a spray bottle, then add 1 cup olive oil. Shake mixture until well mixed. Acid in the lemon juice will prevent olive oil from spoiling. Now you can be environmentally safe and polish all of your furniture eliminating the harmful fumes in the commercial furniture polishes.

Many Uses for Vinegar
 

FOOD

+Thirst-quenching drink: apple cider vinegar mixed with cold water.

+Add a spoonful of vinegar to cooking water to make cauliflower white and clean.

+Storing cheese: keep it fresh longer by wrapping it in a vinegar-soaked cloth and keeping it in a sealed container.

+Make your catsup and other condiments last long by adding vinegar.

+Boiling eggs, add some vinegar to the water to prevent leaking out of a cracked egg.

+Poaching eggs, add a teaspoon of vinegar to the water to prevent separation.

+Add a spoonful of vinegar when cooking fruit to improve the flavor.

+Soak fish in vinegar and water before cooking for a tender, sweeter taste.

+Add vinegar to boiling ham to improve flavor and cut salty taste.

+Improve the flavor of desserts by adding a touch of vinegar.


+Add vinegar to your deep fryer to eliminate a greasy taste.

+Add a tablespoon of vinegar to fruit gelatin to hold it firm.

+For fluffy meringue: beat 3 egg whites with a teaspoon of vinegar.

+Prevent discoloration of peeled potatoes by adding a few drops of vinegar to water, they will keep fresh for days in fridge.

+Homemade sour cream: blend together 1 cup cottage cheese, 1/4 cup skim milk and 1 tsp. vinegar

+Olives and pimentos will keep indefinitely if covered with vinegar and refrigerated.

+Avoid cabbage odor by adding vinegar to the cooking water.
 


CLEANING

+Remove berry stains from hands with vinegar.

+Boil vinegar and water in pots to remove stains.

+Add vinegar to laundry rinse water: removes all soap and prevents yellowing.

+Clean jars with vinegar and water to remove odor.

+Remove lime coating on your tea kettle; add vinegar to the water and let stand overnight.

+Vinegar mixed with salt; cleans copper, bronze, brass, dishes, pots, pans, skillets, glasses, windows. Rinse well.

+Clean fireplace bricks with undiluted vinegar.

+Pour boiling vinegar down drains to unclog and clean them.

+Clean breadbox and food containers with vinegar-dampened cloth to keep fresh-smelling and clean.

+Eliminate mildew, dust and odors; wipe down walls with vinegar-soaked cloth.

+Prevent grease build-up in your oven by frequently wiping it with vinegar.

+Rinse glasses and dishes in water and vinegar to remove spots and film.

+Remove stains from stainless steel and chrome with a vinegar-dampened cloth

+Clean windows with vinegar and water.
 


HEALTH

+Arthritis tonic and treatment: 2 spoonfuls of apple cider vinegar and honey in a glass of water several times daily.

+Skin burns: apply ice cold vinegar right away for fast relief. Will prevent burn blisters.

+Clear up respiratory congestion: inhale a vapor mist from steaming pot containing water and several spoonfuls of vinegar.

+Apple cider vinegar and honey as a cure-all: use to prevent apathy,, hay fever, asthma, rashes, food poisoning, heartburn, sore throat, bad eyesight, dandruff, brittle nails and bad breath.


+To make a good liniment: beat 1 whole egg; add 1 cup vinegar and 1 cup turpentine. Blend.

+After shampoo hair rinse: 1 ounce apple cider vinegar in 1 quart of distilled water.

+Apply vinegar to chapped, cracked skin for quick healing.
 


MISC

+Pets' drinking water: add cider vinegar to eliminate odor and encourage shiny fur.

+Paint adheres better to galvanized metal that has been wiped with vinegar.

+Skunk odor: remove from pets by rubbing fur with vinegar.

+Hardened paint brushes: simmer in boiling vinegar and wash in hot soapy water

  More - A list of 63  Uses for Vinegar
 
Found at link 
 
 
1. Arthritis tonic and treatment; 2 spoonfuls of apple cider vinegar and honey in a glass of water several times daily.
 
2. Thirst-quenching drink: apple cider vinegar mixed with cold water.
 
3. Sagging cane chairs: sponge them with a hot solution of half vinegar and half water. Place the chairs out in the hot sun to dry.
 
4. Skin burns: apply ice cold vinegar right away for fast relief. Will prevent burn blisters.
 
5. Add a spoonful of vinegar to cooking water to make cauliflower white and clean.
 
6. Storing cheese: keep it fresh longer by wrapping it in a vinegar-soaked cloth and keeping it in a sealed container.
 
7. Remove stains from stainless steel and chrome with a vinegar-dampened cloth.
 
8. Rinse glasses and dishes in water and vinegar to remove spots and film.
 
9. Prevent grease build-up in your oven by frequently wiping it with vinegar.
 
10. Wipe jars of preserves and canned food with vinegar to prevent mold-producing bacteria.
 
11. To eliminate mildew, dust and odors, wipe down walls with vinegar-soaked cloth.
 
12. Clean windows with vinegar and water.
 
13. Hardened paint brushes: simmer in boiling vinegar and wash in hot soapy water.
 
14. Clean breadbox and food containers with vinegar-dampened cloth to keep fresh-smelling and clean.
 
15. Pour boiling vinegar down drains to unclog and clean them.
 
16. Clean fireplace bricks with undiluted vinegar.
 
17. An excellent all-purpose cleaner: vinegar mixed with salt. Cleans copper, bronze, brass, dishes, pots, pans, skillets, glasses, windows. Rinse well.
 
18. Make your catsup and other condiments last long by adding vinegar.
 
19. To clear up respiratory congestion, inhale a vapor mist from steaming pot containing water and several spoonfuls of vinegar.
 
20. Apple cider vinegar and honey as a cure-all: use to prevent apathy, obesity, hay fever, asthma, rashes, food poisoning, heartburn, sore throat, bad eyesight, dandruff, brittle nails and bad breath.
 
21. When boiling eggs, add some vinegar to the water to prevent white from leaking out of a cracked egg.
 
22. When poaching eggs, add a teaspoon of vinegar to the water to prevent separation.
 
23. Weight loss: vinegar helps prevent fat from accumulating in the body.
 
24. Canned fish and shrimp: to give it a freshly caught taste, soak in a mixture of sherry and 2 tablespoons of vinegar.
 
25. Add a spoonful of vinegar when cooking fruit to improve the flavor.
 
26. Soak fish in vinegar and water before cooking for a tender, sweeter taste.
 
27. Add vinegar to boiling ham to improve flavor and cut salty taste.
 
28. Improve the flavor of desserts by adding a touch of vinegar.
 
29. Add vinegar to your deep fryer to eliminate a greasy taste.
 
30. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to fruit gelatin to hold it firm.
 
31. Steep your favorite herb in vinegar until you have a pleasing taste and aroma.
 
32. Use vinegar instead of lemon on fried and broiled foods.
 
33. To remove lime coating on your tea kettle; add vinegar to the water and let stand overnight.
 
34. To make a good liniment: beat 1 whole egg, add 1 cup vinegar and 1 cup turpentine. Blend.
 
35. Apply vinegar to chapped, cracked skin for quick healing.
 
36. Vinegar promotes skin health: rub on tired, sore or swollen areas.
 
37. Reduce mineral deposits in pipes, radiators, kettles and tanks by adding vinegar into the system.
 
38. Rub vinegar on the cut end of uncooked ham to prevent mold.
 
39. Clean jars with vinegar and water to remove odor.
 
40. Avoid cabbage odor by adding vinegar to the cooking water.
 
41. Skunk odor: remove from pets by rubbing fur with vinegar.
 
42. Paint adheres better to galvanized metal that has been wiped with vinegar.
 
43. Pets' drinking water: add vinegar to eliminate odor and encourage shiny fur.
 
44. For fluffy meringue: beat 3 egg whites with a teaspoon of vinegar.
 
45. Pie crust: add 1 tablespoon vinegar to your pastry recipe for an exceptional crust.
 
46. Half a teaspoon per quart of patching plaster allows you more time to work the plaster before it hardens.
 
47. Prevent discoloration of peeled potatoes by adding a few drops of vinegar to water. They will keep fresh for days in fridge.
 
48. Poultry water: add vinegar to increase egg production and to produce tender meat.
 
49. Preserve peppers: put freshly picked peppers in a sterilized jar and finish filling with boiling vinegar.
 
50. Olives and pimentos will keep indefinitely if covered with vinegar and refrigerated.
 
51. Add 1 tsp. vinegar to cooking water for fluffier rice.
 
52. Add vinegar to laundry rinse water: removes all soap and prevents yellowing.
 
53. After shampoo hair rinse: 1 ounce apple cider vinegar in 1 quart of distilled water.
 
54. For a shiny crust on homemade bread and rolls: just before they have finished baking, take them out, brush crusts with vinegar, return to oven to finish baking.
 
55. Homemade sour cream: blend together 1 cup cottage cheese, 1/4 cup skim milk and 1 tsp. vinegar.
 
56. Boil vinegar and water in pots to remove stains.
 
57. Remove berry stains from hands with vinegar.
 
58. Prevent sugaring by mixing a drop of vinegar in the cake icing.
 
59. Cold vinegar relieves sunburn.
 
60.When boiling meat, add a spoonful of vinegar to the water to make it more tender.
 
61. Marinate tough meat in vinegar overnight to tenderize.
 
62. A strength tonic: combine raw eggs, vinegar and black pepper. Blend well.
 
63. Douche: 2 to 4 ounces of vinegar in 2 quarts of warm water.

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