Dishwasher
Disinfect smelly sponges and wash rags
Place them in the dishwasher, and run those stinkers through a regular cycle with your dishes. This time, add detergent.
Clean and shine garden tools
Dirty garden tools can spread germs and bacteria throughout your garden. Place your metal garden tools and shears on the top rack, and run through a regular cycle. Don’t try cleaning eating utensils at the same time, though.
More things your dishwasher can scrub
- Baseball caps
- Metal switch plates and outlet covers
- Range hood grilles
- Metal vent covers
- A gazillion hard-plastic kids toys
- Plastic sports equipment and pads
Freezer
Freshen denim
If you don’t want your favorite jeans to fade, place them in a plastic bag and stick them in the freezer for a week. Yes, your loved ones may think you’ve lost your mind. But the cold will kill germs and freshen the jeans without cooking them in hot water, which fades colors.
Life extender
Candles will burn slower, hosiery will evade runs longer, and NiMH and NiCd batteries will last longer when you store them in your freezer.
Steel wool
Instead of watching steel wool rust in a sink holder, place it in a plastic bag and store it in the freezer. The steel wool will stay free of rust longer.
Ice cube trays
They’re not just for water anymore. These little compartmentalizers are great for freezing single portions of pesto and making coffee cubes that cool but don’t water down your iced coffee drinks. Bonus: Freeze grapes in a plastic bag, then throw a few into white wine for a quick cool-down.
Microwave
Juice helper
You’ll squeeze more juice from lemons and oranges if you zap them in the microwave for 10 seconds, then squeeze.
De-germ sponges
Soak a sponge in water with a spritz of white vinegar, and place it in the microwave for two minutes. Not only will your sponge smell fresh, but the steam will make scrubbing the microwave and its telltale spaghetti sauce a snap.
Homemade heating pad/hand warmer
Fill an old sock with rice (not instant) or dried beans, tie the end closed, and place in the microwave for 60 seconds on high. Always touch lightly to check the temperature. If the pad isn’t hot enough, add 15 more seconds. If you want the heating pad to smell nice, add a drop or two of essential oil to the rice/bean mix before heating.
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