Tips are a wonderful thing to help out as needed. They are sometimes worth repeating because we often forget to write them down. Here are some favorites of mine.
Did you know that?
If you make your soup or stew too salty by mistake, you can add in a cut raw potato and discard it once the item is cooked (it will absorb the salt).
If your brown sugar gets hard as a rock, you can soften it by placing a piece of soft bread in the package and closing it tightly. In a couple of hours, the sugar will be soft again. Or alternatively, you can buy a fantastic item that Sur La Table makes. Here is the link: http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-592576/Brown+Sugar+Saver. It works very well.
To clean a burnt and scorched pan, try this: Sprinkle pan liberally with baking soda, add a few cups of water. Simmer on the stove for a while and then let stand for a few hours. You can usually lift off the burned portion at that time.
You can buy a cheap brand of dishwashing detergent and add a few drops of vinegar to it. This will cut the grease and you won’t have to spend money on expensive brands.
If you store your cottage cheese container upside down it will keep twice as long.
If you like to peel potatoes ahead for your kugel or cholent, add a few drops of vinegar to the water. They will last for 3–4 days.
If you keep your unpopped popcorn in the freezer, it will eliminate “old maids.”
You can use “Miracle Whip” salad dressing to remove dead skin from your feet, elbows, or knees. Only this brand will work.
If you own a leather couch and want to make sure cracking does not happen, treat it occasionally with a cream made from 1 part vinegar and 2 parts linseed oil.
When broiling meat, place a few pieces of dry bread in the broiler pan to soak up the dripping fat. This will eliminate the chance that the fat will catch fire.
To speed up ripening of avocados, place in a brown paper bag and set in a warm place.
To clean a carpet stain, try any of these: pre-wash commercial spray, glass cleaner, club soda, shaving cream, toothpaste. Apply one of these to the stained area. Rub it in and wait a few minutes. If the stain is still persists, combine two tablespoons of detergent, four tablespoons of white vinegar, and one quart of warm water. Work into stain. Blot, blot, and blot.
When baking a pie, put it in an oven browning bag or a plain paper bag. Cut four or five slits in the bag and twist shut. Place on a cookie sheet and bake 10 minutes longer than required.The crust will turn a beautiful golden brown and oven spills are eliminated.
If you put weather stripping on the bottom of your rocking chair, it will keep your floors from being scratched. You can also use weather stripping inside of Shabbos hats to make them fit a smaller head.
If you have a clogged drain, you can try this method: Pour two liters of cola down the drain and let sit 15 minutes. Then flush with hot water. The phosphoric acid will dissolve the clog. After that you may think twice about drinking it.
To protect your bathroom faucets from fingerprints or toothpaste stains you can rub them with a dryer sheet. The sheet will leave behind a residue that will repel water and oil and leave those faucets looking nicer longer.
Hope you enjoyed. Please send in any tips you may like to share to [email protected].
Gail Hochman has been a resident of Bergen County for over 35 years. She has been blessed with many grandchildren.
By Gail Hochman
