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Thanks to our community moms: cherrysmile, Nilofer, Hasina, RajiMagesh, and Amala for putting together all house/home tips.If you like to add more, click here

Checklists_bullet   Purchase refrigerated eggs only and don’t bring them out until they are used for cooking.

Checklists_bullet   Avoid using any aluminum pan, pot or utensil while cooking tomatoes as tomatoes contain acid which react adversely with aluminum. Cooked tomatoes become bitter and discolored when kept in aluminum containers. The food that you have prepared with tomato will also soak up the aluminum to some extent and the acid contained in the tomatoes will mark and fade the color of the aluminum utensil.

Checklists_bullet   Carrot has to washed and skin has to be peeled before eating or cooking(when i was a kid i use to eat carrot after washing it).

Checklists_bullet   Curd or buttermilk should not be taken in the bedtime.It may cause blood related problems in the long run.Curd should be taken with sugar will be better option during bed time.

Checklists_bullet   Dosa batter can kept in plastic boxes(keep in fridge )in order to make d batter for long time without souring.

Checklists_bullet   Dishes made with potato should not be reheated in d same vessel.

Checklists_bullet   Onion and potato should not b kept in d same basket which would cause potato spoil soon.

Checklists_bullet   Cut Onion should be used ASAP,otherwise it'l attract bacterias.If cut onion is kept in fridge then also it attracts bacterias to other items present inside the fridge.

Checklists_bullet   Ants: Putting 3-4 cloves in the sugar container will keep the ants at bay.

Checklists_bullet   Egg: To boil a cracked egg, add some vinegar to the water and place the egg in it. The egg shell will remain inside.

Checklists_bullet   Yogurt: If the yogurt has become sour, put it in a muslin cloth and drain all the water. Then add milk to make it as good as fresh in taste.

Checklists_bullet   Mushroom: Store mushrooms in paper bags rather plastic bags or trays. This stops them from becoming ‘slimy’ and prolongs their life.

Checklists_bullet   Mixer/Grinder: Grind some common salt in your mixer/grinder fro some time every month. This will keep your mixer blades sharp.

Checklists_bullet   Sink (Blocked): To clear the blocked drain pipe of your kitchen sink, mix 1/2 cup sodium bicarbonate in 1 cup vinegar and pour it into the sink, and pour about 1 cup water. In an hour the drain pipe will open.

Checklists_bullet   Refrigerator: To prevent formation of ice, rub table salt to the insides of your freeze.

Checklists_bullet   Onions: To avoid crying, cut the onions into two parts and place them in water for 15 minutes before chopping them or keep the onions in a plastic bag and keep it in the fridge. Take out just before cutting.

Checklists_bullet   Green Peas: Lemon/Lime: If the lemon or lime is hard, put it in warm water for 5-10 minutes to make it easier to squeeze.

Checklists_bullet   Idlies: Place a betel (vethalai) leaf over the leftover idli and dosa batter to prevent them sour.

Checklists_bullet   Okra(vendaikaai): While cooking okra (ladyfingers) add a few drops of lemon juice or a spoonful of yogurt to avoid becoming sticky.

Checklists_bullet   Lemon: To keep lemon fresh put them in water and store in refrigerator.

Checklists_bullet   Spinach: Add a pinch of sugar while cooking spinach and green leafy vegetables, it will retain its green colour.

Checklists_bullet   Green Peas: To preserve green peas, keep them in a polythene bag or in a freezer box in the freezer.

Checklists_bullet   Green Chilies: To keep the chilies fresh for a longer time, remove the stems before storing.

Checklists_bullet   Garlic: Garlic skin comes off easily if the garlic cloves are slightly warmed before peeling.

Checklists_bullet   Coriander/Mint: To keep them fresh for a longer time, wrap them in a muslin cloth and keep in a fridge.

Checklists_bullet   Almonds: To remove the skin of almonds easily, soak them in hot water for 15-20 minutes.

Checklists_bullet   Potato: Never store potatoes near onions! Potatoes rot quickly if stored near onions.

Checklists_bullet   While washing silk sarees add a little lemon juice. The colour won't fade and it will give a glossy finish.

Checklists_bullet   To remove the marks in furniture's, scratch with the paste made from ash of cigar and vinegar.

Checklists_bullet   Cleaning the furniture with shoe polish will lend an excellent sheen to it

Checklists_bullet   The furniture becomes more bright and shiny if it is cleaned with the cloth dipped in strong tea.

Checklists_bullet   Apply some wax or soap on the sides of the drawer for easy movement.

Checklists_bullet   The furniture becomes more shiny if it is cleaned with mixture of olive oil and vinegar.

Checklists_bullet   The gold will become more brighter if it is cleaned in pumpkin juice.

Checklists_bullet   To remove the stain of wine from cloth clean that portion with the cloth dipped in soda.

Checklists_bullet   To remove the stain of henna from the cloth, dip the cloth in warm milk for half an hour and wash with soap.

Checklists_bullet   To remove ink stain from clothes, rub the area with a cotton bud soaked in eau-de-cologne.

Checklists_bullet   While mopping the floor add two teaspoons of salt to the water to keep flies at bay.

Checklists_bullet   To remove stains from utensils, add bleaching powder in a tub of water and dip the utensils before washing with detergent.

Checklists_bullet  Used mosquito mats is an excellent blotting agent.

Checklists_bullet   To keep a vaccum flask clean and odour free, fill up half the flask with vinegar, hot water and pieces of egg shell.

Checklists_bullet   If two stamps stick together, keep it in a freezer for some time and peal them out.

Checklists_bullet   Vinegar is an excellent cleanser for glassware.

Checklists_bullet   To prevent silver fish from attacking your clothes, keep a few 'kalonji' seeds tied in a muslin cloth in your cupboard.

Checklists_bullet   Soak your silver articles in tamarind water for 30 minutes and wash off with fresh water, if you want them to shine like new.

Checklists_bullet   To remove mud and mud-strains from clothes, rub the affected area with potato stock and wash it with water.

Checklists_bullet   To remove the tea stains from the vessels, take some water and add 2 teaspoon sodium bicarbonate and boil it. After some time, wash the vessel with detergent. To remove lipstick stain, apply Vaseline on that portion and wash it with soap after some time.

Checklists_bullet   To sharpen a sewing machine needle, stitch through a piece of sand paper.

Checklists_bullet   Keep the water in your flower vase odourless for along time put a piece of charcoal in it.

Checklists_bullet   Rub toothpaste over the fine scratches on glassware. It acts as a slight abrasive and smoothens out the area.

Checklists_bullet   Soften hardened shoe polish with a few drops of white spirit.

Checklists_bullet   Instead of scratching off candle wax from an object, hold the object close to a flame or some source of heat for a few seconds till the wax melts away.

Checklists_bullet   Clean dust particles and dirt from your steel or iron sieve by holding it over the fire for some time. After the grime burns to soot and falls off, wash with soap and water. Your sieve will look better and shine like a new.

Checklists_bullet   To soften a tight leather shoe, apply some curd on their inner surfaces at night.

Checklists_bullet   'Agarbatti.' ash can be used to clean silver and brass articles.

Checklists_bullet   In order to keep away the termites and insects from your bookshelves, keep few pieces of sandalwood.

Checklists_bullet   Hardened glue becomes soft and useable again if you add some glycerin and warm water to it .

Checklists_bullet   To remove the stains from white foot wear, soak a small cotton wool in nail polish remover and rub briskly on your footwear.

Checklists_bullet   Use a few drops of after shave lotion to get rid of a stubborn dirt from shoes.

Checklists_bullet   Clean the silverware with dry ash or common salt for shiny appearance.

Checklists_bullet   To clean your diamond ornaments, soak it in water for 15 minutes, add some washing powder and boil for 7 to 8 minutes and wash it in running water.

Checklists_bullet   Put some bits of lemon peels in the pressure cooker while cooking, the cooker will remain white inside.

Checklists_bullet   To remove the chewing-gum stuck to the floor, clean it with a little kerosene.

Checklists_bullet   Nail polish remover is excellent for removing stains from bone china.

Checklists_bullet   Diamonds will regain their luster if you rub a piece of chalk over them and wipe clean with a soft dry cloth.

Checklists_bullet   Add a little water to used tea leaves and used them to clean glass and window panes for sparkling results.

Checklists_bullet   To remove stains from vessels, rub it with a wet cloth dipped in baking soda.

Checklists_bullet   To remove stains from brassware dip it in tamarind water for some time and wash it and then polish it using brasso.

Checklists_bullet   To remove tea or coffee stains from steel cups clean it with salt water.

Checklists_bullet   To clean non stick pans easily, pour some warm water into it and keep it for some time and then wash it with any detergent.

Checklists_bullet   To remove the smell of masala form mixi, put few pieces of dry bread and powder it.

Checklists_bullet   To get rid of cockroaches in your kitchen, put some boric acid powder in the corners.

Checklists_bullet   If u r havin trouble with a vessel containing burnt food then add some chopped onions and pour some boiling water over it. keep it for five minutes and then wash away.

Checklists_bullet   If u have dropped an egg, the easiest way to clean the mess is by covering it with salt and then let it stay there for some time. then simply wipe clean the mess with a paper.

Checklists_bullet   For COUGH- Mix 1 tsp of honey and garlic juice with a few drops of brandy and have it 3-4 times a day.

Checklists_bullet   For BACKACHE- Rub some ginger paste on the affected area and let it dry. Apply eucalyptus oil on the affected area. Take paste of 10 tulsi leaves with honey and then drink 1 glass of water.

Checklists_bullet   Dark patches under eyes- Make a paste from 2 sps of tomato juice, 1/2 tsp lemon juice, a sp of sandalwood powder and a 1/2 sp of turmeric powder. Apply on spots for 2 hrs. Drink tomato juice with a few mint leaves, little lemon juice and salt.

Checklists_bullet   ACIDITY- Suck a small piece of jaggery(gur) every hour till acidity subsides. Jaggery eliminates acidity, improves digestion and helps in expulsion of worms in small children.

Checklists_bullet   DANDRUFF- Pour 3-4sps of vinegar into the hair and massage into the scalp. Let to dry for 15-20 min. Wash out the hair. Repeat for few days until the dandruff disappears.

Checklists_bullet   COMMON COLD- Make a cup of tea using ginger, clove, bay leaves or guava leaves,black pepper, sweeten with honey or (pana kalkand) and have it 2-3 times a day. good relief.

Checklists_bullet   LOW BP- Take 5 pieces of almond soaked overnight, grind and take with a glass of milk.

Checklists_bullet   If lemon has become hard then try putting them in warm water for 5-10 min and then squeeze them.

Checklists_bullet   To get rid of MOSQUITOES without much effort simply pick a few tables of camphor and put them in water . keep it in any place where there are mosquitoes. they will vanish in no time.

Checklists_bullet   Do not throw away used lemons. Instead put them in the pressure cooker when cooking. This will help in preventing the inside of the cooker from turning black.

Checklists_bullet   Acid or Harpic will remove the salt water stains or recidues from the bathroom wall tiles.