SCUFF MARKS

Use a damp cloth to pick up some baking soda
Rub the cloth and baking soda on the area. 
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DISINFECTANT AND DEODORIZER 

Mix 1 cup Borax and 10 drops each of the 
following essential oils: 
eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, sage, 
peppermint, juniper

Blend well in glass bowl.
Add to water to clean area or add to
washer for laundry.

This also works well as a laundry detergent.
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CARPET DEODORIZER

Mix together in blender: 
2 cups baking soda 
1 Tbs. each: ground clove, allspice,
cinnamon, orange peel, mint, savory.

Sprinkle on carpet.  Let set a few minutes.
Vacuum carpet. 

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RUST REMOVER



Make a paste:
             2 Tablespoons salt
             1 Tablespoon lemon juice
Apply the paste to rusted area with 
dry cloth and rub.  Rinse. 

Remove rust from chrome car bumpers: 
       Rub the bumper with a crumpled piece of 
       aluminum foil which has been dipped in 
       Coca~Cola


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DRAIN CLEANER

1 cup baking soda
1 cup herbal vinegar (preferably citrus vinegar)
 (Make citrus vinegar by placing rinds of an 
orange in white vinegar and soaking 2 weeks)
Pour baking soda down drain, then pour vinegar
down drain.
Cover and let sit for 5 minutes.  
Flush with hot water. 
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INSECT CONTROL 

MOTHS:  Use cedar chips, lavender flowers or 
aromatic herbs and spices. 

ANTS:  Sprinkle boric acid along the line of entry.

ROACHES:  Set out a dish with equal parts sugar 
and baking soda. 

FLEAS:  Feed your pet brewer's yeast and garlic.
Bathe dogs regularly and use a flea comb on cats 
AND dogs.  Sprinkle pets' beds with fennel, rue
or rosemary. 

MOTHS:  Use cedar chips, lavender flowers or 
aromatic herbs and spices
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POT AND PAN CLEANER

Boil the leaves of sorrel or rhubarb in water
in the pan/pot. 
Let cool.
Use cool liquid to scrub the outside of 
pot/pan.  
CAUTION: These leaves contain 
oxalic acid.  A strong solution left in 
an aluminum pan can burn a hole 
right through the bottom!

OR

Rub pots with lemon juice. Rinse or soak 
overnight in vinegar and water.  For tough 
stains, fill the pot with three (3) spoons
of vinegar to a pint of water and boil until 
all stains loosen. 

TO POLISH COPPER

Use ketchup or lemon juice and salt. 

CHROME

Shine with vinegar 

STAINLESS STEEL

Use water and baking soda paste. 
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PEWTER CLEANER

Take care not to be over aggressive in cleaning your pewter!
Pewter is very soft.  Also, antique pewter has a softer 
composition than modern pewter.   3 formulas are below.

Mix some whiting (dry window putty) with a little
rubbing alcohol and use the paste.

Mix a paste of vinegar, flour and salt.

Polish with cabbage leaves.
   (cabbage contains ascorbic acid and can act as a cleaner)
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COCA~COLA REMEDIES

TOILET:  Pour a can of Coca~Cola into the bowl
           Let sit for 1 hour, then flush. 




CAR BATTERY TERMINALS:  Pour a can of Coca~Cola over the terminals.




LOOSEN A RUSTED BOLT:  Soak a cloth in Coca~Cola and apply to
                          rusted bolt for several minutes.

REMOVE "ROAD HAZE" FROM WINDSHIELD:
                     Pour Coca~Cola over the windshield.   
                       ~one of my first car lessons from Dad :)
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WASHLINE WHITES

BLEACH: 1/2 cup white vinegar, baking soda or 
borax per load. 

STAIN REMOVER:  Rub a moistened bar of plain, 
uncolored, unscented soap on stain before
laundering.
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RUG CLEANER 

Use soda water or a paste made from baking soda
and water.  Vacuum when dry. 
        Red wine stains:  Cover liquid with salt
        Let dry then vacuum.

Wood floors:  Mix 1/2 cup white vinegar or 
              lemon juice with 2 cups olive oil.
              stir well.  Rub on surface and buff
              with clean, dry cloth.
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WINDOW CLEANER 

For heavy smudges, mix 2 Tbs. cornstarch, 
1/2 cup ammonia, 1/2 cup vinegar in 1 gallon
warm water. 

For everyday cleaning, Mix 3 Tbs. vinegar or 
lemon juice into 1 quart of water and put in 
a spray bottle.  Wipe with fresh cloth. 

For greasy fingerprints:  Use lemon juice. 

FOR EXTRA SPARKLE, polish with newspaper when 
nearly dry.  

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CUTTING BOARD CLEANER 

Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge, scrub 
and rinse to clean and deodorize. 

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SILVERWARE CLEANER

Soak silverware in an aluminum foil-lined aluminum
pan filled with 1-1/2 quarts hot water, 1/2 Tbs. 
baking soda and 1/2 tsp. salt.

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TEASPOONS:

10 drops = dash
1/8 tsp. = a few grains
1 tsp. = 6 dashes
1 tsp. = 5 ml. 
3 tsp. = 1 Tbs. 


TABLESPOONS: 

1 Tbs. = 1/2 fluid oz. 
1 Tbs. = 15 ml. 
2 Tbs. = 1 fluid oz. 
4 Tbs. = 1/4 cup or 2 oz. 
16 Tbs. = 1 cup or 8 oz. 

CUPS: 

1/8 cup = 1 oz. or 2 Tbs. 
3/8 cup = 6 Tbs. 
1/3 cup = 5 Tbs. plus 1 tsp. 
1/2 cup = 8 Tbs. or 4 oz. 
            OR 1 tea cup 
1 cup = 1/2 pint or 240 ml. 
2 cups = 1 lb. or 16 oz. 
4 cups = 1 quart 

DRY VOLUME: 

2 cups = 1 pint 
2 pints = 1 quart 
4 quarts = 1 gallon 
2 gallons = 1 peck 
4 pecks = 1 bushel

LIQUID MEASURES: 

1 oz. = 28 grams
1-1/2 oz. = 1 jigger 
1 quart = 2 pounds 
1 Tbs. = 1/2 liquid oz. OR 15 grams 
1 cup = 8 oz. OR 227 grams
1 quart = 32 oz. OR 907 grams 
1 quart = 64 Tbs. 
1 pound = 454 grams 


BUTTER: 

1 lb. = 32 Tbs. 
1 lb. = 2 cups 
1/4 lb. = 1 stick 
1 stick = 4 oz. OR 1/2 cup 
5-1/3 Tbs. = 1/3 cup

EGGS: 

1/2 cup = 2 large 
1/2 cup = 3 medium 

CHEESE: 

1 lb. American or cheddar = 4 cups grated 
1 lb. cottage cheese = 2 cups 
1/2 lb. cream cheese = 1 cup or 8 oz. 

ONE POUND EQUIVALENTS: 

2 cups butter 
4 cups all-purpose flour 
2 cups granulated sugar 
3-1/2 cups powdered sugar 
2-2/3 cups brown sugar 
2 cups milk

TEMPERATURE EQUIVALENTS

Room Temperature =    70F        21C
Lukewarm         =    90F        32C
Slow Oven        =    300F       150C
Hot Oven         =    400F       205C
Broil            =    550F       290C

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ALUMINUM

Although lightweight and a good heat conductor, 
aluminum is still suspect in the development of 
Alzheimber's disease.  Scientists continue to 
disagree on whether cans and cookware are hazardous. 

CAST IRON 

Cast iron can actually add iron to your food during 
cooking.  this is helpful for many women and people
with anemia. However, FOR MANY MEN, excess iron is 
not a health benefit. 

COPPER

Copper is strong and an excellent heat conductor. 
However, metal reacts to salt and moisture, 
producing toxic substances that can make you ill. 
Avoid copper cooking surfaces -- it is alright to 
use if on the outside of the pot/pan. 

STAINLESS STEEL

Stainless steel is inexpensive and very easy to clean. 
The most efficient stainless steel cookware has 
aluminum, copper or iron plated to the bottom to 
improve heat conduction. 

GLASS

Glass works equally well in a microwave and on the
stovetop.  The one drawback to using glass, is that 
it does break.

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RECYCLING CENTER

IN YOUR YARD

(Adapted from Patriot News, Friday, Sept. 11, 1992)

      Want to start a small-scale recycling center in your
own yard?  Want to get ride of a lot of organic waste
and help your garden at the same time?  Composting does
just that -- it's cheap, easy and efficient, and if done
properly, works by itself.
      What composting does is break down organic waste 
(leaves, grass clippings and table scraps) by means of 
microbial action.  The microbes decompose the waste into 
nutrient-rich organic matter that can be easily mixed into 
garden soil.  Compost works like any organic matter ~ it 
improves soil structure, adds to the water holding capacity
of the soil and adds nutrients. 
      Starting a compost pile is easy.  You need a small,
out-of-the-way area, about 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet, that
can be fenced in on three sides -- leave the fourth side 
open for easy access.  You'll also need lime (to "sweeten" 
the mix), top soil to aid microbial action and organic waste. 
      The type of waste is important because 
a proper carbon to nitrogen ratio is necessary.  
Dry leaves, for example, have a high carbon 
content and decompose slowly, slowing down 
the composting process.  By balancing the 
mixture with high-nitrogen, quick-decomposing 
materials like grass clippings and table scraps,
the composting process won't be slowed down. 
      Layer the pile, starting with soil,then waste
and finally cover with lime.  Continue layering 
until the bin is about 3/4 filled.  Don't fill 
it all the way because you will need room
to turn it over every so often to get even 
decomposition.  Sprinkle with water, especially 
when it is dry, to help the process. 

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