Country Lore Water Wonder

(Page 3 of 4)

August/September 2003
 
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RHONDA FEATHERINGILL
Palmyra, Indiana

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Sapling Screens

You can make a privacy fence from saplings that need thinning.

RICHARD GAMBIER
Bainbridge, New York

Credit Card Capers

Ever think you could put "plastic" (credit cards) to better use? Recycle them for use as pan scrapers. They're flexible, tough and safely chisel away stuck or burned food from your pots and pan. I think they often do a better job than the plastic pan scrapers that you buy and then throw away.

CHARLES SWISHER
Oxford, Pennsylvania

They remove windshield frost pretty well, too. — MOTHER

Practical Potting Bench

An old ironing board makes a nifty, storable, portable potting bench.

ANNA VICTORIA REICH
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Homemade Liquid Soap

Love liquid soap but hate paying the exorbitant prices? Or maybe you can't stand the perfumes they use? Make your own Using scrap from your favorite soap.

Just save a few pump dispensers from shampoo or hand lotion. At the same time save the scrap of soap left after you use a bar. When you have enough saved, put the soap scrap into a clean, glass jar or bowl, and add boiling water to cover. Let this sit until it ha, cooled. Then stir it with a fork, mashing the lumps. Add an inch or so of boiling water, stir well and let cool. When you stir, it should be reasonably smooth but a little stringy. Add water and stir until it is the right consistency, then fill your bottles. Leave some space in case you want to add more water: it sets up a little in the bottle.

JEANETTE HANBERRY
Anderson, South Carolina

In Hot Water

The next time you need to wash your tiled or linoleum-covered kitchen floor, try this tip: Before you grab your mob. grab your tea kettle. That's right.

Water is universal solvent and, once heated, it does a great job of loosening most of the food-based grime on a kitchen floor. Pour a little bit of boiling water on the dirtiest spots on your floor. Let it stand for a few minutes. I use this method and then mop with just hot tap water mixed with dishwashing detergent. When I'm done, the floor looks spotless, the kitchen doesn't stink of chemicals and I haven't spent money on expensive cleaners. This method is good for the environment.

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