I am truly in awe of all the tips that were posted by my thrifty, nifty, just more than fifty (ok, I know, I've gone too far, lol) readers!! You gals (and guys, if any are reading) are quite a clever lot! I think we have enough tips to fill up another edition!
Some of my favorite TIPS include (okay, I couldn't pick favorites, they are all wonderful tips, lol -- the winner is posted after the tips):
Happier Than a Pig in Mud said...
To keep your metal bakeware nice (and rust free) after hand drying place them back into the warm oven so they completely dry out.
Shelia said...
If your dishwasher gets smelly - between loads, sprinkle 1/2 cup of baking soda on the bottom to absorb the odors.
Laura Ingalls Gunn said...
If your cake crumbles turn the tiny pieces in a trifle. Yum!
M.j. said...
Would be to really clean the burners on stove.Put ammonia and the burner in a sealed bag overnight.
Sue D said...
My tiny tip is to keep the wrappers from butter/margarine in the freezer and pull one out when you need to grease a pan.
Kathy said...
use a small amount of glycerine in a little water to preserve flowers you wish to dry - glycerine also conditions the leaves of magnolias so that you can use them to create Christmas garlands or wreaths.
BumbleBeeLane said...
My tiny tip sprinkle carpets with baking soda with a few drops of favorite fragrance oil.Leave sit a little to absorb odors.Vacum
Honey at 2805 said...
Mix an old squirt type bottle (not a spray bottle) with 1/3 bleach and 2/3 water to squirt around in your kitchen sink every evening. It's a quick way to keep you sink shiny and clean. Be sure to label the bottle so you don't grab it, thinking it's something else!
Erin said...
My tiny tip is to use dryer sheets to pick up those dust bunnies left behind by your broom.
Shug said...
Spray your measuring cup with Pam before measuring oil or peanut butter..makes a simple clean up.
Olive Cooper said...
I put a lemon wedge in my garbage disposal to keep it fresh once a week.
The imPerfect Housewife said...
I'd say a good tip is start planning for next Christmas when this one gets over. I put aside a little money each paycheck and keep one notebook where I write down ideas (food, gifts, etc) so I'm not scrambling when the holidays get here and using the charge card. Some years are more successful than others.
Laurie @ bargain hunting said...
My tiny tip is for glass stove tops. After you clean it,turn the oven on for a little while, and it will dry streak free. laurie
Jacqueline said...
not grease your cake pans at all just cut parchment paper to cover the bottom of the pan. When baked run a knife around the edge after ten min. Cooling and turn out. It always comes out so easy and has a flatter top.
Yvonne @ StoneGable said...
don't throw away citrus peel. Put them in a pan with a couple of cinnamon sticks, a few cloves and cover with water. Simmer! Your whole house will smell like you have been cooking all day!
Lori said...
My tiny tip is to always have a fruit bowl filled on the counter. It's pretty and healthy!
kitty said...
My tiny tip is to put a piece of folded paper towel around your vegetable oil bottle & secure it with a large rubber band (from fresh broccoli) or piece of string. This catches the oil drips to keep your pantry shelf without an oil ring!!
Kathleen said...
I always double the recipe when making a crumb topping. You can keep it in the freezer and pull it out to make a quick topping for any fruit you have on hand. Cut up the fruit , sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon and top with crumbs. Bake in indiv ramekins, a perfect quick dessert.
Aprons & Old lace said...
sprinkle baby powder or sage around where you think ants are coming in cracks, windowsills, etc. . I promise you they will not return! It really works! Ants love my house in the spring. Thanks for hosting the great giveaway!
Rhonda said...
my "tiny tip" would be that I stock up on fresh veggies when they are on sale (onions, bell peppers, jalapenos, carrots, cabbage, garlic, etc.) and slice, dice, chop or whatever, and freeze in recipe-sized portions to make meal preps a snap.
Jane said...
wax your stove top to prevent spills from adhering forever. this way they'll wipe right up!
Miss G said...
is to paperclip bday/anniversary cards to your calendar on the appropriate months as you come across or make them so you remember to send them!
Acorn hollow said...
If your bath towels have stoped being absorbent, when you wash then throw in a 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse. It will break down the old laundry detergent and any dryer sheet build up. (they will not smell like a salad)
Pam said...
to avoid a river of tears when cutting onions, do not cut the root end off. You can cut through it, but leave it on the onion. Works every time.
Anne said...
To keep extra extension cords from getting tangled, insert them into empty toilet paper tubes before storing away.
Wendy Ross said...
never throw away those thick elastic bands that come on your veggies,like broccoli! They make the best jar openers...just slip on the lid edge and twist away! Gives you the perfect grip!!
susi917 said...
save the envelopes that your bills come in to write your grocery list on; then put coupons inside!
Delinda Lea said...
Just use a tablespoon of vinegar in the rinse cycle of your washing machine instead of fabric softener ~ economical and healthier for your family.
Elaine @ Sunny Simple Life said...
I save butter wrappers in a small container for greasing pans. I hate wasting anything.
Arkie said...
If you bake a cake and it comes out higher on one side than the other, place a CLEAN dish towel over it and lightly press it down until it is even all over. Cool slightly and then invert it onto your server for frosting.
Lulidou said...
If you don't have buttermilk for recipes: mix 1 teaspoon vinegar per 1 cup of milk - let stand 5 minutes.
Renna said...
I avoid using water on my cast iron pans as much as possible (and I never use soap!). After cooking something in them, I wipe out as much of the food residue as I can with a (dry) paper towel (& cheap ones won't cut it!). Next I pour in some kosher salt; I don't measure it, but I'd guess maybe a small handful or so. Using a clean paper towel (again, dry), rub the salt around all over the inside surface of the pan/pot. The salt will absorb any grease and/or food particles. Once you're satisfied, wipe out the salt into the sink or trash, and voila', you have a clean pan!
Kathy said...
spray cooking spray on measuring spoons and cups so that when you need to measure peanut butter (or anything else that is sticky), it will slide right off!
Lori said...
Use an empty ketchup container as a pancake mix dispenser when making pancakes! Thanks for a great giveaway and a chance to win!
Connie said...
To keep bananas from getting too ripe place them in a brown paper bag and store in refrigerator.
Tara said...
save the onion bags and cut into strips to crochet scrubbies.
LeAnn said...
To get rid of odors in the house put White Vingar in a bowl and hide it; soon you will not have any more odor.
cindi said...
My tiny tip is, with all the electronics now days how do you fix when one comes in contact with water. Soak them in uncooked rice for 3 or more days. The rice soaks up the moisture. Sometimes it works and sometimes not.
jcviv said...
My tiny tip: when making homemade clothing, sew an extra button on the lining or underside like manufacturers do. If one is lost, it saves rummaging through the button box!
Kathy L. said...
When I get home from the grocery store, I always seperate the meat I have bought into 2 or 3 portions and stick them into zip-lock bags for the freezer. Now I have 2 or more meals instead of only one!
Brenda Easter Wilson said...
If you are planning on a great halloween party have a table filled with a candy table so the guests can get their favorite Trick or Treat Candy. Everyone will go home happy and content. You can fill pretty jars with different candies and candy bars. Have a cute halloween sack for each person to fill their bags and have plastic bags for the glass jars that have candies not wrapped plus a scoop in each jar. I love this idea.
Chani said...
If courgettes (zuchinni) are not very fresh anymore, they can be peeled before cooking on order to avoid the bitter taste.
Happy Cottage Quilter said...
My tiny tip is that I never put water in my iron. I've always kept a spray bottle next to my ironing board. So my iron has lasted for over 10 years with no problems
Carolyn said...
fill up a spray bottle with 3/4 of your shampoo and 1/4 water. Also do the same with your conditioner. Tell your kids that 1good squirt will do.You may be able to just do 1/2 and 1/2, just shake the bottle good before each use.
etay said...
if you have grease build up on your baking sheets or metal pans, just fill with hot water and place a dryer sheet (I use cheap ones from the $ store) let set about 10 minutes... rinse and wash with soapy water.... All Clean!
Susan Said...
Don't throw away your glass jars that pickles, relish, etc. come in. Wash and remove the labels, tie some raffia around the jar, put fresh cut flowers in them.
Sweet Bee Cottage said...
Clothespins are so handy to have around. They can be used to keep snack bags closed, clip papers together, or clip your bangs out of your eyes in a hair emergency.
Farmhouse prims said...
don't throw away your old baking pans, cover with foil when baking cookies and they work like a new pan. Then the clean up is easy, just throw the foil away.
Shelley said...
use hand sanitizer to get goo off left from stickers...works for me anyhow
AND THE WINNER IS --- OLIVE COOPER!! Thanks for your great tip Olive!! Thanks to EVERYONE who shared a tip and entered in -- stay tuned -- there are always new giveaways in the works!
