April: Tip-a-Day Calendar: Hints and Tricks to Make Life Easier

[Texasmujer]

1 April: For a big cleaning job, such as floors or walls, use two buckets: 1 to hold the cleaning solution, the other to wring out the sponge.

2 April: Play some of your old records (by old artists) for the kids. Teach them how to dance the older dances.

3 April: Change batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

4 April: Tidy up garden beds. Rake leaves and winter debris. Uncover spring-blooming plants, and clip dead and woody stems. Pull up weeds.

5 April: Remove black heel marks on linoleum or vinyl floors by rubbing them with a damp sponge or nylon scrubber
sprinkled with a little baking soda.

6 April: Create a standard form for grocery shopping.

7 April: Jeep a pumice stone in your shower. The best time to remove dry skin from your feet is when skin is wet.

8 April: Before you shop for the season's new clothes, make a list of items you need to fill in your wardrobe. If you see someting on sale, you'll know whether yolu need it or not.

9 April: When giving hand-knitted gifts, enclose a label from the yarn with washing and fiber information.

10 April: Start a butterfly gardren with your family. Go to http://www.butterflies.com/garden to learn what kinds of plants to buy for your area.

11 April: To remove excess water after handwashing a garment, put it between two clean towels and slowly roll a rolling pin over it. The towels will absorb it.

12 April: Write the due dates of bills on your calendar for a visual rminder to pay them.

13 April: Wear a pair of oven mitts to protect your hands whe pruning prickly plants or bushes.

14 April: Keep a small magnet in your sewing basket. Use it to pick up any pins yo drop.

15 April: Put thread, needles and buttons in a small basket near the washing machine so you can repair garments before washing them.

16 April: Shop for annual bedding plants for spring plantings. Don't overbuy: There should be enough room between plants for the flowers to bloom.

17 April: Start a potluck brunch with friends and family. Have everyone bring a favorite dish. To keep interesting, pick a new cuisine each time.

18 April: Empty closets and vacuum them thoroughly to protect against insect infestation. Clear out storage areas and chests to store winter clothes and linens.

19 April: Before storing them for the the summer, wash or dry-clean all blankets, linens and winter clothes to get rid of pet hairs, oil and food spills that could attract moths.

20 April: Put a rubber mat under the dog or cat dish . It will hold the dish in place and catch spills.

21 April: Make plant markers out of old ice-pop or craft sticks and coat them with clear mail to make them waterproof.

22 April: Stop thin straps from slipping off wire hangers by winding a couple of thick rubber bands around the ends of the hanger.

23 April: Store things where you use them: cleaning supplies to messy family rooms, mugs near the coffee maker, jumper cables in the car.

24 April: Start a hobby of bird-watching. Pick up some books about the species in you area and the kinds of nests they build. Consider joining a local bird-watching club.

25 April: When you wash a turtleneck sweater, turn it inside out. Any makeup or oil stains that are on the neck will be better exposed to the fetergent.

26 April: Write the name and number of your wall paint on the insode of the wall's light switdh. If you need to make touchups, you'll know the exact color to buy.

27 April: Take garden hoses out of storage. Check for cracks or leaks and examine the rubber or plastic washers.

28 April: Shine shower doors by wiping off scum with a sponge dipped in white vinegar. Dry off and polish with a soft cloth.
29 April: To keep a frame hanging straight and prevent scratches and marks on the wall, glue rubber erasers to the
bottom edge of the back of the frame.

30 April: Sweep out the garage with a broom or Shop-Vac. Cover oil and grease stains with cat litter until oil is absorbed and then seweep.