We already know that lemons in finger bowls will help remove the smell of messy food. Bundle for MSN Money suggests other uses for this citrus.
When cleaning a chopping board, use some lemon juice or wipe it with a lemon slice to deodorize and sanitize it. A daily application of lemon juice on a facial blemish or dark spot will lighten it, Bundle says.
Putting a quarter cup of lemon juice into the washing machine will make white clothes brighter. Soaking fingernails in a lemon water mixture will whiten and brighten them, says Bundle.
Adding lemon juice or lemons to household equipment, like microwave ovens, will freshen them. Bundle also says lemon juice can stop bleeding and clean small cuts and scrapes.
Dryer sheets
Those who use dryers to dry their laundry probably always have a supply of dryer sheets. Bundle says the sheets can have other uses.
Leaving a dryer sheet in the suitcase when travelling will keep it smelling fresh. Static cling can be eliminated by rubbing dryer sheets on problem areas.
Bundle says after using the flat iron, rub it on the dryer sheet while the heat is set to low. The sheet will clean the residue off the iron. Run the dryer sheet over the areas with a lot of pet fur or hair on them, such as clothing or furniture, to remove it.
Magazines
Old magazines can be used as gift wrapping paper. It will not only save you money, but also demonstrate your creativity. Bundle adds that you can laminate pretty pages and use them as wall decor or place mats.
If your computer is a little low, use a bunch of magazines to elevate it to the proper height so your neck will not hurt. You can keep kids amused by using old magazines to create scrap books or to make jewelry and bookmarks.
Jars
Empty jars may be turned into piggy banks where you can keep loose change, Bundle says. Transparent glass jars let you see the money accumulate.
Homemade bath salts or other bath lotions can be put in jars dressed up with ribbons and labels. Jars may also be used as pen and pencil holders. To add some color, spray paint the inside.
Bundle says you can also reuse jars as cups and tumblers and customize them with a fun straw. Of course, they are convenient containers for storing food items like cookies, herbs, pasta, sugar, flour, and other dried goods.
Kudos
Consumers may have found a true champion in director Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection.
I have forwarded several complaints to the bureau and they have been referred either to the company concerned or the government agency, which is supposed to deal with the problem. And they even have the courtesy to write back to let me know what action they have taken on the problem or problems.
It is very rare to find a government official who takes his responsibilities seriously. Some complaints I have passed on to other government agencies seem to have been lost in cyber space. They have remained unacknowledged.
Incidentally, I hope the National Telecommunications Commission now has an e-mail address. I tried to forward an e-mailed complaint once but the woman who answered my call said they did not have e-mail. Strange for an agency that regulates some of the most high-technology firms, mobile phone companies.
Anyway, I hope Dimagiba continues to champion the cause of consumer protection, which is one of his bureau’s main responsibilities. Keep up the good work, director!
Send letters to The Consumer, Lifestyle Section, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 1098 Chino Roces Ave. cor. Mascardo and Yague Sts., 1204 Makati City; fax 8974793/94; or e-mail [email protected].
