Recycle Tips

[Guest guest]

INFLATABLE IDEAMylar balloons are expensive; so don't throw them out. You can use them again. Here's what I do when a Mylar balloon gets tired. I use a plastic drinking straw with one end trimmed into the shape of a fountain pen nib to help me let every bit of air escape. I insert it into the balloon through the base and up through the rubber gasket. Then I press out as much air as possible, remove the straw, and fold and store the balloon. My local grocery store will refill used balloons with helium for a quarter. Sometimes I inflate them like ordinary balloons, and other times I use them just partially filled as packing material when mailing boxes. They easily fill empty space in a box. No more Styrofoam peanuts! -- Elizabeth F., Arkansas

FURNITURE REPAIR FROM SCRATCHUse shoe polish (paste or wax-based) to touch up nicks and scratches on doorframes and furniture. It's quick and easy to use, and when rubbed in really makes the scratch seem to disappear. -- Gale B., Oklahoma SLICE AND SERVE, NOW OR LATERIt is easy to cut a large sausage into slices with an electric knife. Even if it is partially frozen, the knife slices through the plastic packaging and the sausage with ease. I like to cook the entire package all at once, wrapping and either freezing or refrigerating the cooked sausage patties for future meals. I simply pop them into the microwave for a few seconds. Easy! -- Ann B., Arkansas CARDBOARD COVER-UPDid you ever buy a new valance with a wide pocket and have only the narrow rod on your window? To give the appearance and draping of a wide rod, just cut a narrow piece of cardboard from a packing box and slide it into the pocket. Now slip the narrow rod behind the cardboard. Nobody will know the difference! -- Alice T., Iowa A FOREMAN CLEANUP TKOAn easy way to clean your George Foreman grill is to wet a double layer of paper towels and lay it in the grill while it is still hot. It steams the mess away and makes the grill easy to clean when it cools down. -- Melanie W., Texas GIVE YOUR SINK A FACIALI recently discovered a great way to use Ponds Cleansing Pillows after washing my face. There's a lot of cleanser left after using them as instructed. By using the exfoliating side of the pillow, they function as a scouring pad to clean bathroom sinks! The cleanser is gentle on my hands, it smells nice and the sinks sparkle after a pillow cleansing! -- Kathy A., Georgia RX FOR CAR LITTERWhen I pick up my prescriptions, they come in white paper bags with advertising all over them. I save the bags and put them in my glove box to use as trash bags in my car. -- Jennifer K., Minnesota

 

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