Housekeeping Made Easy

Spoiled food odor

Place a bowl of white vinegar on the counter for a few hours. The odor will disappear for good.

Freshen a garbage disposal

Sprinkle baking soda in it along with a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Scrub with a brush (a new toilet brush works great), getting under the rubber gasket and all around the inside. Then, turn on water and let the disposal run to flush thoroughly. For a fresh citrus scent, throw in a few cut up lemons or limes and run them through, too, using lots of water.

Freshen laundry basket

Place a fabric softener sheet in the bottom of your laundry basket (remember to change it weekly). You can also simply sprinkle some baking soda in the bottom of your basket and that will help absorb the odors as well.

Freshen linen closet

In the linen closet place cotton balls that have been sprayed with your favorite scent. Once they are dry place them in corners and on the shelves.

Microwave filth

Food splatters all over the inside of your microwave and cooks itself on after time. To easily remove this mess, place a sponge soaked in water in the microwave. Cook on high heat for 2 minutes, then allow it to sit without opening the microwave door, for 5 minutes. The filth is now ready to be wiped right off - no scrubbing - and your sponge is right there!

Microwave odors

Keep a cup of baking soda in the microwave, between uses to keep potatoes from smelling like bacon or other unusual combinations!

Mothball substitute

Take your leftover soap slivers and put them in a vented plastic bag. You place the bag with seasonal clothes before packing them away. Not only will the scent prevent them from moth harm, but also they'll smell great when you pull them out.

Permanent marker on carpet

Dab a washcloth soaked in rubbing alcohol onto the marker stain. Do not rub it - just blot it - rotating the cloth to a clean spot every time.

Photos stuck together

With a hair dryer on low, slowly melt them apart.

Cockroach problem

Combine equal parts boric acid and sugar, mix well. Sprinkle in crevices and, if building or remodeling, between walls before putting up plaster board. Put the powder in jar lids; place lids behind the fridge and under sinks.

Source: http://www.healthguidance.org/authors/483/Mike-Douglas