60 uses for table salt

 60 uses for table salt:

1. Soak stained hankies in salt water before washing.
2. Sprinkle salt on your shelves to keep ants away.
3. Soak fish in salt water before descaling; the scales will come off easier.
4. Put a few grains of rice in your salt shaker for easier pouring.
5. Add salt to green salads to prevent wilting.
6. Test the freshness of eggs in a cup of salt water; fresh eggs sink; bad ones float.
7. Add a little salt to your boiling water when cooking eggs; a cracked egg will stay in its shell this way.
8. A tiny pinch of salt with egg whites makes them beat up fluffier.
9. Soak wrinkled apples in a mildly salted water solution to perk them up.
10. Rub salt on your pancake griddle and your flapjacks won't stick.
11. Soak toothbrushes in salt water before you first use them; they will last longer.
12. Use salt to clean your discolored coffee pot.
13. Mix salt with turpentine to whiten your bathtub and toilet bowl.
14. Soak your nuts in salt brine overnight and they will crack out of their shells whole. Just tap the end of the shell with a hammer to break it open easily.
15. Boil clothespins in salt water before using them and they will last longer.
16. Clean brass, copper and pewter with paste made of salt and vinegar, thickened with flour
17. Add a little salt to the water your cut flowers will stand in for a longer life.
18. Pour a mound of salt on an ink spot on your carpet; let the salt soak up the stain.
19. Clean you iron by rubbing some salt on the damp cloth on the ironing surface.
20. Adding a little salt to the water when cooking foods in a double boiler will make the food cook faster.
21. Use a mixture of salt and lemon juice to clean piano keys.
22. To fill plaster holes in your walls, use equal parts of salt and starch, with just enough water to make a stiff putty.
23. Rinse a sore eye with a little salt water.
24. Mildly salted water makes an effective mouthwash. Use it hot for a sore throat gargle.
25. Dry salt sprinkled on your toothbrush makes a good tooth polisher.
26. Use salt for killing weeds in your lawn.
27. Eliminate excess suds with a sprinkle of salt.
28. A dash of salt in warm milk makes a more relaxing beverage.
29. Before using new glasses, soak them in warm salty water for awhile.
30. A dash of salt enhances the taste of tea.
31. Salt improves the taste of cooking apples.
32. Soak your clothes line in salt water to prevent your clothes from freezing to the line; likewise, use salt in your final rinse to prevent the clothes from freezing.
33. Rub any wicker furniture you may have with salt water to prevent yellowing.
34. Freshen sponges by soaking them in salt water.
35. Add raw potatoes to stews and soups that are too salty.
36. Soak enamel pans in salt water overnight and boil salt water in them next day to remove burned-on stains.
37. Clean your greens in salt water for easier removal of dirt.
38. Gelatin sets more quickly when a dash of salt is added.
39. Fruits put in mildly salted water after peeling will not discolor.
40. Fabric colors hold fast in salty water wash.
41. Milk stays fresh longer when a little salt is added.
42. Use equal parts of salt and soda for brushing your teeth.
43. Sprinkle salt in your oven before scrubbing clean.
44. Soaked discolored glass in a salt and vinegar solution to remove stains.
45. Clean greasy pans with a paper towel and salt.
46. Salty water boils faster when cooking eggs.
47. Add a pinch of salt to whipping cream to make it whip more quickly.
48. Sprinkle salt in milk-scorched pans to remove odor.
49. A dash of salt improves the taste of coffee.
50. Boil mismatched hose in salty water and they will come out matched.
51. Salt and soda will sweeten the odor of your refrigerator.
52. Cover wine-stained fabric with salt; rinse in cool water later.
53. Remove offensive odors from stove with salt and cinnamon.
54. A pinch of salt improves the flavor of cocoa.
55. To remove grease stains in clothing, mix one part salt to four parts alcohol.
56. Salt and lemon juice removes mildew.
57. Sprinkle salt between sidewalk bricks where you don't want grass growing.
58. Polish your old kerosene lamp with salt for a brighter look.
59. Remove odors from sink drainpipes with a strong, hot solution of salt water.
60. If a pie bubbles over in your oven, put a handful of salt on top of the spilled juice. The mess won't smell and will bake into a dry, light crust which will wipe off easily when the oven has cooled.

Bangle Bracelet Craft

Project 1: All Wrapped Up
Be it yarn, fabric, ribbon or even scraps of decorative trim, encasing your bracelets in a striking material is a quick and simple way to dress up your bangles. Wrapping them in soft materials also offers a gentler feel against your skin and prevents the bracelets from clanking together and scratching.

• Step 1: Gather Materials: Choose from a large assortment of bangle shapes and sizes by asking your friends to bring along old bracelets that they would like to repurpose. In addition, you can scope out thrift stores, craft centers and discount accessory stores for inexpensive options.
• Step 2: Get Gluing: Along the inside of your bangle, draw a thin line of craft glue and adhere the loose end of your wrapping material in place. Let dry.
• Step 3: Wrap It Up: Once dry, begin tightly wrapping your material around the bangle. If using fabric, slightly overlap the pieces each time you wrap around the bracelet. Continue all the way around the bracelet until fully covered, then cut the material and fasten the loose end in place with a small dab of glue. Let dry completely before wearing.

Tip: To add delicate texture and blended color to your bangles, try twisting, knotting or braiding together several pieces of material in various hues, patterns and designs.

Project 2: Decorative Decoupage
With a simple decoupage technique and a creative approach, you can turn your favorite scraps of decorative paper into wearable art.

• Step 1: Sort Through Scraps: Decoupage is the perfect project for finally making use of decorative papers you’ve stowed away. Choose from scraps of wallpaper, maps, greeting cards,  newsprint, magazines, calendars, photographs and more to craft a one-of-a-kind bangle you’ll wear with pride.
• Step 2: Measure Twice, Cut Once: With your ruler, measure the width of your bangle, then cut your paper into pieces slightly longer than double the width of your bracelet. Cut enough paper pieces to completely cover your bangle.
Tip: In lieu of cutting your paper pieces to a clean edge, try gently tearing your sheets into scraps to achieve a handcrafted, vintage effect.
• Step 3: Strip by Strip: Paint the backside of your first paper scrap with the decoupage medium, then wrap it tightly around the bangle, smoothing away any air bubbles with your fingertips. Continue applying the paper strips, always overlapping the piece you previously laid.
• Step 4: Simple Details: Once your bracelet is entirely covered, measure and cut a paper strip to cover the paper joints along the interior of the bracelet. The paper strip should be approximately as wide as the bangle and long enough to completely circle the inside. Apply a thin line of glue along the interior of the bracelet, then adhere the paper strip in place.
Tip: Turn your bangles into eye candy by choosing a bold print or whimsical shock of color for the interior paper. You can even write a special quotation or message on the strip you adhere to the inside.
• Step 5: Finishing Touch: Brush the entire piece with a final thin coat of the decoupage medium. Let dry for several hours before wearing.

A Gorgeous Gift
With virtually endless options for decorating, these customized bangle bracelets make a lovely gift for any friend or relative. As you craft, keep your loved one’s sense of style in mind—the colors, textures and silhouettes she wears regularly will inspire you as you create her accessory. For the understated woman always in black, try spicing up her neutral palette with a bold animal print. Or for your friend who’s always spotted in the same patterned blouse, combine several pieces of yarn and craft a bangle that echoes its colors.
Too many people you’d like to craft for? Get your girlfriends together for this craft and host a fun-filled gift exchange at the end of the project. Arrange the finished bangles along your dining room table and let each guest choose a bracelet to take home. With such unique creations, everyone is sure to leave your party wearing a custom piece that they adore.

Clean-Up:
When trimming small scraps of fabric, paper and string, it’s easy to end up with a messy floor. For quick clean-up, use Swiffer^® SweeperVac. It gets it all—big and small—by trapping and locking small particles with a Dry Cloth, then lifting larger pieces with a powerful vacuum.
Working with craft glue can leave scuffs and smudges on your favorite surfaces. With Mr. Clean^® Wipes, you can wipe away and disinfect even the toughest messes with ease.

Decor ideas using a simple glass vase

Vase Variety

An empty glass vase is just waiting for you to fill it with your own personal sense of style and creativity. There are so many shapes and styles of vases to choose from: cylinders, squares, curvy or classic. Whether you have a collection of vases from floral deliveries or have found a few deals at your local home goods store, simple glass vases offer you a budget-friendly opportunity to renew your décor. Use these ten ideas as a starting point and let your imagination transform a vase before your eyes!

1. Fruit Filled: Use real or artificial fruit to add a burst of fresh color to your room. Green apples, clementines, lemons or limes are all good choices because they don’t need to be refrigerated. Layer fruits with different colors and textures in a wide-mouthed vase or use one fruit type for a thoroughly clean, modern look.
2. Lots of Moss: Moss is often used as filler or an accent inside a vase along with other plants or flowers as the focal point. Instead, try filling an entire vase with fuzzy, green texture. For a unified motif, fill vases of different sizes and shapes with layers of moss and place them throughout a room.
3. Pretty Plumes: Create an arrangement in a cylinder vase using tall, fancy feathers like peacock or ostrich. Choose bright colors or neutrals depending on your overall décor. Use feathers of varying sizes and heights to mimic the look of a floral arrangement.
4. Blooms Only: Trim the blooms from fresh, dried or artificial flowers and layer them inside a vase. The more colorful and dramatic the blossoms the better, but classic white works well too, especially in an otherwise busy room. You can also just float a single bloom at the top of a small glass vase filled with water. Add a few drops of bleach to help preserve it.
5. Child’s Play: Décor in a playroom or family room should be colorful and quirky with a nod to the room’s more casual use. Choose playful objects to layer, such as wood building blocks with  letters or numbers, toy cars, board games pieces or even multi-colored bouncy balls.
6. Coffee Color: A vase filled with coffee beans can add a little café atmosphere to your kitchen. Use a square vase shape to juxtapose the rounded shape of the beans. Pair the rich, dark color of the beans with spring-inspired colors like bubblegum pink or robin’s egg blue. Add the color easily with a silky ribbon tied around the vase or by setting flowers or a single candle in the center.
7. Seasonal Sensations: Change up your décor in an instant by filling a vase with signs of the season. For spring, use colorful plastic eggs or marshmallow chicks; bright green palm leaves are perfectly beachy for summer; for fall, try pinecones or gourds and for winter fill a vase with evergreen sprigs or shiny glass ornaments.
8. From the Sea: Create an island oasis with your seaside collection. Fill a tall vase with shells and coral of all shapes and sizes arranged at interesting angles. Put it on display during summer months or anytime you need a little getaway.
9. Made for Metallic: Make your vase shine with pretty metal objects. Coin collections, antique keys, mismatched silverware and costume jewels can all make an elegant impression in your space. Try a short slender vase with a wide mouth and fan out silverware around the mouth or create your own special arrangement. Place on a hutch in the dining room or use as a centerpiece for a table.
10. Fabulous Fibers: Yarn comes in all sorts of beautiful colors and soft textures and filling a vase with it is a great way to show off your hobby or just make a room feel warm and cozy. It often comes rolled in fun formations or balls, so try layering your yarn in its unused form or create and arrangement with loose scraps you’ve hung onto. Finish off the look with a pair of simple silver knitting needles poking out at the top. Make sure to display it on a high shelf or mantel if you have little ones around.

Organization tips for closets and care tips for clothes

Closet Consideration

Closets are often overlooked as a place in homes that could use some reorganization and redecorating. Spring is a great time to give these forgotten spaces the consideration they deserve. Use these simple steps to get you well on your way to the transformed closet you deserve.

Step 1: Clearing and Sorting
Just like any other major transformation project in your home, to start, you must remove everything from the closet. This is the perfect opportunity to get rid of the things you thought you were going to use, and never did. It’s also the perfect time to transition your cold weather clothes into storage. Start by going through your clothing before packing anything away and decide what to give away and what to throw away. You certainly don’t need to store any items that you won't be wearing the next winter season.

Step 2: Cleaning and Painting
After removing everything, it’s time to give your closet a long overdue cleaning. Work from top to bottom to remove all of the cobwebs and the dust that has accumulated in corners and on any shelves. Wiping down the walls will help as well.

At this point you are ready to paint! This step is often forgotten or disregarded, but can make an amazing difference toward making your closet a fresh, clean space that you can enjoy that much more. Continue with the color from the rest of the room or, if the room color is too dark, consider using a nice, bright white. Start at the highest point and work your way down, beginning with the ceiling first.

Don’t forget the woodwork! Shelving, baseboards and trim can be done in a high gloss to give them extra protection. Once you’ve completed your paint job, think about adding shelving or storage where needed. If you have the option of installing new shelving consider cedar lining: not only does it look nice but it also helps repel pests like moths.

Tip: Sanding and painting closet shelves and/or using shelf liners can help prevent garment snags and protect clothing from the natural oils found in unpainted wood.

Step 3: Lighting
Good lighting is a must, and even if your closet isn’t wired you can now find inexpensive (and battery operated) alternatives to shed some light on your new space. Most styles use LED lights that emit clean, bright light. Some even come equipped with motion sensors so they’ll turn off automatically once you leave the area.

You now have a storage area you can be proud of. This kind of clean up and paint job is so simple and can also lend considerable support to a home sale.

Storage Solutions

Now that your closet has been renewed for spring, it’s time to say good-bye to your cold-weather clothes for the season. Sweaters do take some special care for storing, but most of these tips can apply to any clothing being stored away during any season.

1. Take sweaters that require cleaning to the dry cleaners if the manufacturer's label advises it. Once back from the cleaners, remove sweaters from plastic or wrappings and air them out before storing. This step will help to eliminate possible discoloration or odor from dry cleaning chemicals. Wash your remaining sweaters using the gentle cycle on your laundry machine, or hand wash in your sink.

Tip: Never leave clothing inside plastic dry cleaning bags. Plastic prevents good airflow and can foster mold and mildew. Use fabric hanging bags when necessary. Even an old, clean bed sheet will do the trick and keep clothing protected!

2. Plastic storage containers are better than cardboard when it comes to storing clothing, as cardboard can attract bugs. If using plastic, be sure to store in a dry place (not the basement), as they can tend to hold moisture. Even if you don’t have plastic bins handy, one of the best storage containers is an unused suitcase that has been thoroughly cleaned. Look for bins or suitcases that can be easily stored either in the bottom of your closet or under the bed.
3. Line containers with acid free or white tissue paper and begin to separate out the more delicate sweaters that will need some sort of wrapping. For example, you will want to wrap anything made of cashmere or angora before storing. Wrapping sweaters in tissue paper can help protect them against dust and dampness. It also prevents delicate sweaters from rubbing against rough wool sweaters, which can cause piling.
4. Fold each sweater, taking care not to ‘fold in’ a wrinkle during storage. Once folded, wrap the more delicate sweaters in tissue paper. You can now begin stacking sweaters in your storage container. Stack with the heaviest sweater on the bottom, moving up to the more lightweight sweaters at the top. Do not over-pack containers, as this may damage your sweaters. By stacking loosely, you will allow air to circulate and give your fabrics breathing room.

Tip: Sweaters should almost always be stored folded on closet shelves, in drawers or in containers. For hanging clothing, wood, padded and wide plastic hangers are a wiser choice than wire because they hold the shape of the clothing better. If hanging certain fabrics, such as knit wear and silk fabrics, use white tissue paper to pad the shoulders. Even hanging clothing should be kept as evenly spaced as possible to allow air circulation.

5. Once packed, close the lid firmly. For additional organization, label the outside of the bin with "Sweaters" or “Winter Clothing” and include notes about colors, sizes or styles so you can easily identify them when packing for a mountain getaway, or for when winter's chill inevitably rolls around again.

Maintaining a clean, organized closet will help you find what you need, take better care of your clothes and may even get you out of the house faster in the morning!

Upholstery brings new depth to your space

Furniture Revival

Bring an old furniture piece back to life with bold, luxurious fabrics that enhance—or play against—the silhouette of your piece. Perhaps it’s a French paisley pattern that repeats the curve of the legs of a stool, or a bold graphic textile that counteracts clean, quiet lines.
Whatever your look, with a few simple steps and the perfect fabric, creating a one-of-a-kind piece is so easy. And because you only need a yard or so of fabric, this is the perfect project for splurging on a gorgeous silk or one-of-a-kind pattern you’ve been eyeing. With custom upholstering, you can bring any furniture piece back to life and add depth, texture and color to your space.

Make Your Choices

Consider these ideas when selecting furniture and fabric for a winning combination:

• Choose your furniture first: The fabric you can use will depend on your furniture piece. If you already have a fabric you are in love with or an heirloom textile, then you can tailor your furniture search to the fabric. When browsing furniture, look for pieces that have a sturdy, decorative frame and a removable seat cushion. Consider pieces like ottomans, footstools, side stools, piano stools, dining chairs and small benches.
Tip: Don’t feel like your furniture piece has to be perfect. Regardless of nicks and blemishes, your piece simply needs an interesting, vintage silhouette. Imperfections enhance the historic, unique nature of this project. If the shape is right but the finish is simply an eyesore, consider painting or staining your piece.
• The shape of things: Use the shape of your furniture as a guide for deciding on a fabric. If the piece features rounded edges and circular details, look for fabrics that echo these curves—think ornate paisleys and florals. For a square or rectangular piece, fabrics that share the same geometric lines will look best.
Tip: Remember, when it comes to creative projects, there are guidelines—but no rules. To put a serious twist on your look, try creating tension by pairing a free-flowing floral print with a heavy, masculine furniture piece. Contrasting elements adds instant depth and texture and is a major trend in current décor.
• Unexpected finds: When looking for your furniture, get creative with the places you search. Perhaps there’s an old piece collecting dust in your attic or a one-of-a-kind find your friend is throwing out. You can also browse local flea markets, antique stores and garage sales. Just be sure the piece has a seat that is screwed down and pops off easily. These cushions are typically comprised of a piece of wood cushioned by foam. Many furniture pieces are constructed this way, making it easy to apply new fabrics.

A Thousand Fabrics

When it comes to choosing a fabric for your upholstery project, the options are virtually endless. Make sure your textile is of upholstery grade—tougher and heavier than drapery or fashion varieties—and then let your imagination run wild.

Tip: If a salesperson can’t assist you, you can perform a basic test on your fabric swatch to ensure it is of upholstery grade. Hold the swatch from two corners (diagonally opposite each other) and pull gently. Then switch your hands and pull from the other two corners. If the fabric maintains its basic shape, it’s suitable for upholstery purposes.

Consider swatches in bold colors, vibrant patterns and interesting textures. Try colors like burnt orange, deep plum and Kelly green that will pop against wood and add a splash of color to an otherwise neutral space. Textures like satin, velvet and suede create warmth and depth, while oversized prints play with scale and proportion for added interest.
As you’re combing through options, remember that many different textiles can be applied in upholstery form. Bring instant texture and depth with unexpected choices like embroidery, crewel work, cross-stitch, cotton rugs, wool rugs, batiks and tweeds.

• Measure twice, cut once: When upholstering any furniture seat, the piece of fabric must be large enough to fully cover the top and wrap over the sides. At the fabric store, cut your fabric with an extra allowance to ensure the fabric can be securely fastened to the bottom of the seat.
Tip: There’s no reason you can’t remove your cushion from the furniture and bring it with you to the fabric store. It’s a simple way to guarantee a fool-proof purchase.
• Something special: Upholstering a seat doesn’t require a large amount of fabric, meaning you can splurge and purchase an “occasional” fabric. Occasional fabrics feature more luxurious designs, dyes and thread counts than typical fabrics. So go ahead, choose something you wouldn’t normally consider and pump up the wow factor in your home.

Get Started

Once you’ve selected your fabric and a furniture piece with a removable seat, you’re ready to begin upholstering.
INSTRUCTIONS

1. Flip your furniture piece over and identify the clasps or screws that fasten the seat onto the piece (these are often Phillips’ head screws). Simply use a screwdriver to unscrew the cushion from the piece.
2. Tear the existing fabric off of the foam cushioning, then check if the foam needs to be replaced before reupholstering the cushion. Check for yellowing color, dirt, large tears and holes. If the foam seems old and in need of replacement, measure the foam piece or take it with you to the craft store and purchase a new piece in the same size. You can buy a larger piece and simply use the old one as a template to cut out with a utility knife.
3. Cut your fabric to the appropriate size, then lay it (right side out) over the foam and wood base. Adjust the fabric to your liking, then begin to pull it from diagonal sides around the sides of the wood base.
4. Pull and fold the first corner as it slightly gathers and secure it on the bottom side with your hands.
5. Flip the seat over and secure with either a commercial flat stapler or hot glue. Stapling the fabric is recommended to ensure longevity, but glue can be used as a flexible way to ensure that the placement is perfect before stapling.
6. Fold down the remaining corners, fastening them to the underside of the seat as you go.
7. Once the fabric is secure all of the way around, flip your seat over and place back on the piece. Firmly pressing the cushion against the wood frame, use your screwdriver to reinsert the seat screws.
8. Sit your piece upright, stand back and admire your beautiful new piece.

Employ a Professional

Some furniture pieces require professional upholstering—if your piece is completely covered in fabric or has upholstered seat backs, an expert should handle the project. Consider these smart tips and tricks when handing over your furniture:
Look for an upholsterer that comes highly recommended. If professional decorators and designers frequent the business, it’s likely a good choice. Once you find an upholsterer, observe samples of his or her work. Look closely at the showroom pieces, examining the edges for clean lines and straight piping. Once you have chosen an upholsterer, discuss your project in detail—talk about the vision you have for the piece and bring fabric swatches to support your ideas.
Upholstering is a simple and special way to bring a unique, personalized décor piece into your home. Whether it’s an armchair that’s been passed down for generations or a one-of-a-kind heirloom textile, mixing the old with the new deepens your home design and enriches your space’s personality.

Good Clean Fun

From Décor to Final Clean Up
When you need the materials to bring your projects to life and keep your home looking its best, look no further than Lowe’s. They carry the helpful products you know, and love to use in your home, so you can get everything you need for your projects in one stop.

Tiled Mirror Project
Try this quick tiling project from Lowe’s Creative Ideas to add texture and enhance a plain mirror. It’s a great way to add organization and decorative flair to your bedroom dresser. Add a little ambiance and freshness to your space too, by placing a Febreze^® Candle on your mirror. Keep the whole thing clean by trapping and locking dust with handy Swiffer Dusters^®.

Tip: Many home care products, like the ones used in this project, are available online at Lowes.com, so you can buy from home and have more time to get to the things that are important to you. Simply search for the product you’re looking for by name.

MATERIALS:
12-inch-square mirror tile
24- x 36-inch beveled oval wall mirror
Small, assorted tiles
Liquid Nails

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Select a square mirror tile or an oval wall mirror, and wipe clean. Choose an assortment of small ceramic tiles from the flooring department. If necessary, remove the mesh backing from the pieces.
2. Arrange the tiles on the mirror as desired.
3. Using a small amount of Liquid Nails, glue each piece to the mirror. Allow to dry. If needed, scrape off excess glue using a flat razor blade.

Good to Know: If the tile you want to use is too large, you can break it into more manageable pieces. Wrap it in a towel or drop cloth, and use a hammer or rubber mallet to break the tile into pieces. Wear gloves when working with broken tile.

Home office organization ideas

Workspace Problems Solved

Below you’ll find new organizing uses for common household items to help you round up desktop supplies, corral your chargers and cords and stash loose papers in budget-friendly ways.

1. Problem Area: Disorganized Office Supplies Organized Solution: Lazy Susan
   A circular, rotating tray or platform, the lazy Susan is usually found on a tabletop for serving food or inside kitchen cabinets for organizing dishware and spices. Use this household basic in a new way to round up essentials like pens and pencils, a stapler, tape, scissors and more, right on your desktop. Gather your supplies, set them out on your lazy Susan, and just spin it around to easily grab what you need!
Organized Ideas: Most lazy Susans are made of wood or plastic and are round and completely  flat. The styles that are often used inside cabinets may have a slight lip around the edge or even several tiers. Whatever type or style you plan to use, try a few of these additional organization ideas to help keep your desk supplies where you need them.
• Instead of using typical office supply organizers or buying something pricey, simply look around your home for items you can use to group your supplies on top of the lazy Susan. Try small decorative dishes to hold paperclips, pushpins or rubber bands and a pretty glass for pens and scissors. You can also add a small basket to collect larger items like papers, sticky notes or a small notebook.
• If you have a lot of supplies to organize, try a tiered lazy Susan. Designate each tier for a different supply and label the tiers so everything stays where it belongs.
• A lazy Susan can make a great organizing companion in other areas of the home as well. Try one on top of your dresser or on a bathroom counter to organize hair accessories and jewelry or products like lotion, hairspray and perfume.
2. Problem Area: Tangled Cords and Chargers Organized Solution: Photo Box Charging Station
   Cut holes along the back of a decorative photo box with a lid as a clever way to hide and contain your cords. Follow these simple instructions for assembling your charging station.
MATERIALS Medium to large photo box with lid Box cutter Ruler or tape measure Cardboard scrap Power strip Metal label holders (optional) Decorative paper (optional)INSTRUCTIONS
1. Choose which side of the photo box you’d like to be the back. Using your box cutter, carefully cut a small hole in the back of the box, large enough for the cord of your power strip to fit through. Add one or more additional holes for computer or printer cords. You can optionally attach metal label holders around the holes to give the outside of the box a more polished appearance.
2. Measure your piece of cardboard so it’s the same width as your photo box and 1” longer on each side, and then cut out using the box cutter.
3. Fold the extra 1” down on each side of the cardboard so it stands up like a little shelf. You can optionally cover the top of the cardboard in decorative paper to give it a nice look or match the colors of the photo box.
4. To assemble your charging station/cord keeper, place the power strip in the bottom of the box and thread the cord through the hole you created. Plug your computer and printer into the power strip and thread the cords through the extra holes you created in the back. Use additional outlets on the power strip to plug in your chargers.
5. Place the cardboard shelf over the power strip inside the box to cover the cords, and pull the ends of the chargers up so they stick out over the top of the shelf. This creates a convenient area where you can plug in phones and other items, and leave them while they charge. Simply place the lid on the box, and your cords and chargers are organized and out of sight.
3. Problem Area: Loose or Disorganized Papers Organizing Solution: Notebook Pockets
   Try supplementing your existing filing system by adding handy pockets to the back of your most-used notebooks and journals. It’s a great way to keep related paperwork with your notes, lists and ideas for your home.
   Organized Ideas: Once you add the pockets, use these ideas to put notebooks to use.
   
   • Think about separating your notebooks or journals out by use, for example, small notebooks or journals are perfect for grocery lists and current coupons can be stashed in the pocket! A larger notebook or journal could be used for organizing your tax-time to-do lists and the pocket can be used to collect forms or receipts.
   • Keep a small notebook or journal with a pocket in your purse. It’s perfect for keeping to-do lists and loose papers organized while you’re out running errands.

Whenever you need a quick fix for keeping office clutter under control or workspace basics organized, just look around your home. Chances are with a little creativity, and an eye for repurposing, you can create your own cost-conscious solution.

Six steps to sparkling windows

STEP 1: Pick a cloudy day in the morning or late afternoon for window washing. Direct sunlight makes the cleaner dry too quickly, causing streaks.

STEP 2: Gather your supplies: A bucket, rubber gloves, window cleaner, large sponge, squeegee and newspaper.

STEP 3: Prepare a batch of home-brewed window cleaner. There are many recipes for window cleaner, and this one works as good as or better than all I've tested. (You can make a gallon for about 50 cents.) Pour 2 cups rubbing alcohol and 1/2 cup sudsy household ammonia into a gallon jug. Fill it with clean water (if you have hard water, use bottled spring or drinking water for this window cleaner). Add 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap (such as Dawn or Joy) last so that soap bubbles don't make it hard to fill the jug with water. You can add a drop or two of blue food coloring to differentiate this from a jug of water. Be sure to label the container and keep it out of the reach of children.

STEP 4: Apply the window cleaner. Before washing interior windows, put an old towel along the sill to keep the floor or wall from getting wet. (For only slightly dirty windows you can get away with applying the cleaner with a spray bottle.) For very grimy windows, pour cleaner into a bucket, dunk your sponge into the cleaning solution and wring it out so that it isn't dripping wet. Move the sponge over the window and cover it with the solution, scrubbing as you go in a circular motion.

STEP 5: Immediately remove the window cleaner with a squeegee using the professional window washer technique: Place the squeegee in a vertical position at the top left corner of the window. Draw it to the right side but don't stop. Using one continuous "S" motion, move it back to the left, working side-to-side until you reach the bottom right corner. This step is the fun part, and once you get into the rhythm you'll zip through a window in just a few minutes flat.

STEP 6: Even the most careful squeegee job is going to leave some of the window cleaner behind. Not to worry. Simply wipe this up quickly with a crumpled sheet of newspaper. HINT: If your windows aren't that dirty but you want them to sparkle, try this: Mix 1/4 cup cornstarch with 1/2 gallon warm water. Follow the instructions above and your windows will glisten like diamonds. Another hint: If you find the newspaper you're using causes streaks, try paper towels or a clean blackboard eraser to remove every bit of window cleaner.

Know your cleaning products

Two women, different locations, same accident.

Both women using an ordinary commercial toilet-bowl cleaner were not satisfied with the way it was removing stains. Each added chlorine bleach and stirred with a brush. One died quickly, while the other spent a long time in the hospital.

Here's the problem: Whenever chlorine bleach comes into contact with acid or an acid-producing substance like toilet-bowl cleaner or vinegar, there is a sudden release of chlorine gas. This is not a good thing! A similar result occurs when chlorine bleach is mixed with ammonia, lye or other alkaline substances.

Chlorine gas is lethal.
Now that I have your attention,let me say if you steer clear of chlorine bleach, you have nothing to fear by making your own cleaning products. Why should you even consider doing that? The cost, for starters. You know that store-bought window cleaner sitting on your counter? You paid about 15 cents an ounce for it, and it's 95 percent water. Your own products will cost only pennies to make and will not contain toxic chemicals that could be harmful to your family and the environment.

HEAVY-DUTY WINDOW CLEANER: Mix 1/2 cup household ammonia, 2 cups rubbing alcohol and 1 teaspoon liquid Dawn (the original blue variety). Mix ammonia, alcohol and detergent in 1-gallon jug. Fill with warm water. Shake before each use. This solution is great for cleaning really dirty windows and taking tape marks off windows; it's also great for removing soap film from shower doors.

DISINFECTING CLEANER: Mix household ammonia and rubbing alcohol together in equal proportions in a spray bottle. Label and keep out of reach of children. This is a very strong cleaner, so make sure you have ample ventilation when using. Wear gloves.

ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER 1/2 cup ammonia, 1/2 cup vinegar, 4 drops liquid dishwashing soap and 1/4 cup baking soda into 1 gallon of warm water. Mix well and dispense with a spray bottle.

TUB-AND-TILE CLEANER a terrific homemade version of Soft Scrub. In a small bowl, mix together 1-2/3 cups baking soda with 1/2 cup of dishwashing liquid (like Joy). Dilute with 1/2 cup water, and add 2 tablespoons white vinegar. Stir with a fork until smooth and all the lumps are gone. Pour into a 16-ounce squeeze container with a squirt flip-top cap (like a ketchup bottle or similar). Shake well before each use. Keep capped tightly between uses. Hint: Rinse the flip-top cap after each use so it won't get clogged.

CLEANER FOR PAINTED CABINETS: Mix 1/4 cup baking soda, 1 cup ammonia, 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1 gallon warm water. Pour into a spray bottle. Wash cabinets with a sponge and this solution. Rinse with a clean sponge and water. Wipe cabinets dry completely.

How to double the life of cut flowers

Whether you get your flowers from your garden, the market or you receive them as a gift, you can persuade cut flowers to remain beautiful for at least a week -- maybe two or even longer -- if you follow a few fabulous flower secrets.

The two enemies of cut flowers are bacteria and draught. Defeat both, and your flowers will last and last. You will be amazed.

1. Start with clean vase. Scrub it with soap and hot water, rinse well and fill with tap water. Next, add 1/4 teaspoon of liquid bleach for each quart of water. This will retard the growth of bacteria and fungus in the water.

2. Remove any leaves that will be below the water line. Submerged leaves will rot and promote bacteria and algae growth.

3. Condition the stems. Flowers can die of thirst even when standing in water if the stems have not been conditioned to draw that water all the way to the blooms. That's because, when cut, a flower stem quickly seals its "wound." That can prevent it from drawing water. Just before you plunge the stems into the vase of water, cut the stems at a 45-degree angle to allow for the greatest amount of water to be absorbed.

4. Change the water every day. The moment that water turns cloudy you know bacteria is present.

Some flowers, such as lilacs, dogwood, crab apple, azalea, camellia and forsythia, have "woody" stems. They appear to be more like branches than stems and require a specific treatment to help them draw water. Split the last two inches of the stem with a sharp knife, and pound that part of the woody stem with a hammer until it is well frayed. Now the stem will allow water to draw all the way to the blooms.

Certain types of flowers require specific stem treatments. For example, when cutting carnations and similar flowers, make your cut between the nodes of the stalk so that it can more easily draw the water it needs.

Lilies, particularly the stargazer variety, have orange pollen that will leave a permanent stain on anything the flowers touch, especially clothing and table linens. Remove the stamens with manicure scissors before proceeding to condition the stems for placement in the vase.

When you purchase roses from a florist, the thorns have most likely been removed. When you purchase flowers in bulk from a flower mart or other bulk source (sometimes called a "grower's bunch") or cut them from your own garden, you will need to remove the thorns from the stems with a sharp knife, working from the top down to put less stress on the stem.

There's nothing quite so lovely as a bouquet of beautiful flowers. Follow these simple tips, and you'll be able to display them with confidence for longer than just a few days.

Tackling really tough stains

Stains are unavoidable in an active household, but don't let those stains stick around forever. Remove them for good, and you will extend the life of your family's clothes.

Keep the following stain busters in your arsenal, and you'll be ready for the worst: rubbing alcohol, WD-40, an enzymatic laundry additive like Biz Bleach or Axion, liquid chlorine bleach, an all-fabric bleach like Clorox 2, household ammonia, white vinegar and a good stain-and-spot pretreatment like Soilove.

There's no escaping these facts: Fresh stains are easier to remove than old ones. Time and heat from a dryer or iron can set a stain permanently. Enzymes break down protein-based stains like food, blood and grass. Pretreating with a good stain remover helps detergents work more effectively.

BALLPOINT-PEN INK: Apply rubbing alcohol or spot remover. Rub in detergent, and launder in the hottest water recommended for that particular fabric. Repeat, if necessary.

CRAYON: Place the garment stain-side down on a stack of paper towels. Spray with WD-40 and let sit for five minutes. Flip garment over and spray again. Rinse well. Rub liquid dish soap into the stain. Rinse again. If any stain remains, apply a stick or spray stain remover and machine wash.

GLUE, GUM, STICKERS: Remove as much as possible with a dull knife or a spoon. To make it easier to remove gum, first rub an ice cube over it to freeze it. Apply WD-40 to loosen any remaining residue, then scrape it off and rinse. Rub in liquid detergent to remove any leftover stain. Machine wash.

PAINT: Wipe off dried acrylic or water-based paint residue with a paper towel. Sponge on a solution of laundry detergent and warm water. Once the paint has softened, remove as much as possible with a dull knife or a spoon. Rinse and repeat until most of the stain has been removed. Machine wash. To remove fresh latex paint from carpet, soak with dish detergent diluted with 20 parts water. Then agitate, blot, rinse and blot again. It will remove old, dried paint, but be careful. Lacquer thinner can also melt certain kinds of carpet, so test first.

CHALK STAINS: Shake out or vacuum up any loose chalk particles. Place the garment stain-side down on a stack of paper towels, and blot the back of the stain with a cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol. Rinse. Rub liquid dish soap into any leftover stain and let sit for several minutes. Machine wash.

GRASS: Apply Soilove or Stain Out, and rub gently into the stain. Let sit for five minutes, then wash with detergent and Clorox bleach (whites) or Clorox 2 (colors) in the hottest water safe for the fabric.

PERSPIRATION, DEODORANTS: If the stain has caused a color change, try to restore the color by using ammonia on fresh stains or vinegar on old ones. Do not use ammonia or vinegar with liquid bleach.

RESOURCES: Go to www.wd40.com for hundreds of uses for WD-40. Find Soilove on supermarket shelves in California and Arizona. Biz Bleach, Axion and Clorox 2 are in the laundry-products aisle.

Venturing out into the world of greens

There are hundreds of lettuces and salad greens, in addition to the standard lettuces like iceberg, romaine and spinach. Many of these greens are sold in grocery stores, farmers markets and gourmet-food stores. Most are also cultivated easily, so if you have the space, you might try growing your own specialty mixes of different plants and varieties.

BUTTERHEAD LETTUCES:The most common in this group are Bibb and Boston. The leaves form a head but are loosely packed around a small center core. Butterhead lettuces have soft, delicate leaves that nearly melt in your mouth and work very well with vinaigrettes and light dressings.

LEAF LETTUCES: These lettuces often have crinkled leaves that do not form a head. Some common types are green leaf, red leaf and Lollo Rosa. Because leaf lettuces are so beautifully colored, they add interest and unique texture to a green salad. Best served with light dressings and vinaigrettes.

CHICORIES: This group of greens that includes endive, escarole and radicchio has a strong, slightly bitter taste. I'm not sure these will show up in my shopping cart anytime soon, but I'm trying to keep an open mind. Chicories work best when mixed with other strongly flavored ingredients like bleu cheese, citrus fruits, nuts and heavy dressings. They also brighten the flavor when mixed with butterhead and leaf lettuces, which tone down the flavor.

HERBS: Herbs can play a starring role in a green salad. Arugula, sorrel, watercress, basil, chervil and parsley -- to name a few -- jazz up salads with their unique flavors and beautiful colors

MUSTARD GREENS: When using mustard greens in a salad, select only the very young leaves. More mature leaves are going to give you a hot and zesty surprise. Try combining mustard greens with another, more mild green, like red leaf or Bibb lettuce, and then drizzle with a lemony, garlic-flavored vinaigrette.

MESCLUN AND GOURMET SALAD MIXES: Premade mixes that contain various types of baby lettuces and greens are certainly convenient. One of the advantages of buying a mix is that you get a lot of flavor in a small package and a variety of greens you might not otherwise consider. Most mixes contain at least three different varieties and some contain upwards of eight. They're great on their own with your favorite vinaigrette or dressing.

The shelf life of dry goods

— Granulated and powdered sugar. Sugar does not spoil. Unopened or stored in an airtight container, bags or boxes of refined sugar have a shelf life of at least 24 months when stored in a dry, cool location.

— Brown sugar. Kept unopened or in an airtight container, brown sugar has a shelf life of 18 months. If it hardens, remoisten with a damp paper towel in a sealed container overnight.

— Solid shortening. Unopened, solid shortening will last indefinitely. However, Procter & Gamble suggests that unopened Crisco be used within 18 months, and opened Crisco should be used within six to 12 months. No need to refrigerate, even after opening.

— Chocolate chips. Opened or unopened, all varieties of baking chips will be useful for at least 24 months when stored either unopened or in a tightly covered container in a cool place.

— Flour. Unopened, flour has a shelf life of 18 months, according to General Mills. Once opened, it should be kept in an airtight container. To prevent infestation, store flour in the freezer.

— Nonfat dry milk. Unopened, dry milk has a useful shelf life of 15 months when kept in a cool, dry place.

— Baking powder and baking soda. Once opened, baking powder and baking soda will remain active on your pantry shelf for up to 18 months, or at the expiration date printed on the container. However, if you keep the tightly closed container in the freezer, it will remain active and fresh indefinitely.

— Evaporated milk. Unopened, evaporated milk is useful for up to six months, provided you invert the cans every two months to keep the product from separating.

— Condensed milk. You can buy enough of this product to last a full year, provided you turn the cans every two months as with evaporated milk.

Infinite Being - Spiritual Faith

Spiritual Faith by Owen Waters

With spiritual faith, your heart and mind open up and guide you in your search for personal truth. Faith in the spirituality of life is what makes your spiritual path possible.
Faith may sound like a form of belief, but belief is actually a fixation upon a version of the truth. When a belief becomes rigid, seeking and growth are not possible. For example, the biggest challenge facing quantum physics today is the enormous shift that is required from previous beliefs about the nature of reality. Researchers have to shift to a new view where time, space and physicality are liberated from the constraints which people previously believed that they had.
If you believe that you exist in a fixed location in space and that time must always pass you by like clockwork, think again. Subatomic particles do not share your beliefs about time and space. They take a much more liberated view. Subatomic particles pop in and out of physical manifestation millions of times per second, just when and where they feel like it. Their disregard for time is perplexing, to say the least, as they respond immediately to events in their future and even time travel backwards to alter their past when it suits them.
Now, we can all identify with the idea of creating a different future based on decisions that we make now, but creating a different past? Well, that’s what subatomic particles do, right there in the lab. As a result, in the mathematics of quantum physics today, one of the necessary tools is negative time – the ability of a particle to send a message into its past in order to change its own history.
Subatomic particles are friendly by nature. When they bump into another particle that they take a liking to, and they seem to like all of them, they become friends and carry on communicating with each other, for ever. The fact that they may become separated by millions of miles does not reduce their willingness to communicate.
The speed of their communications comes as a surprise. Einstein said that nothing exceeds the speed of light, but apparently subatomic particles weren’t listening when he said that. They communicate over huge distances virtually instantly. If there is a limit to the speed of transmitted thought, then that speed of thought has to be millions of times faster than the speed of light.
Subatomic particles, by their very freedom, serve to remind us of our true potential as conscious beings in a conscious universe. We are limited only by our personal collection of beliefs, our belief system. We also share our part of a larger, societal belief system, the consensus reality.
With spiritual faith - an open heart and an open mind - we can discover more about today’s New Reality and what it means to humanity. Discovering more about life expands our view of reality and evolves our belief systems. Besides, and this is what really counts, it’s fun!

This article was written by Owen Waters, author of
"The Shift: The Revolution in Human Consciousness"
and the Infinite Being Insight E-Books

Indoor Teacup Garden

Revive and reuse cracked or chipped teacups, pots and bowls by transforming them into planters for a windowsill garden.

Patterned dishware, colored ceramics and uniquely shaped containers that are chipped or damaged can be cherished again, this time, showcasing your spring plants.

New and repotted plants need extra care. Coddle them in their new teacup
containers by creating a "greenhouse" that keeps warmth and moisture inside. Place a gallon-size Ziploc® Brand Easy Zipper Expandable Bottom Storage Bag with Fresh SHIELD™ over the planter to allow adequate room for the cup as well as plant growth. Zip closed, leaving a small opening to ventilate. Remove bag once the roots have taken hold and the plant appears hearty and healthy.

Place saucers under the cups—even mismatched ones—to catch loose soil or water drips and to display multiple plants on a sunny windowsill. Soon you’ll have fresh herbs, fragrant flowers or spring vegetables right at your fingertips.