Tell us a trick you use often. If you have trouble taking the lid of a jar just wrap an elastic

[applegrove]

around the outside of the lid, get a grip and unwind. Works like a charm every time.

[applegrove]

1. If you microwave a dirty cloth or sponge for 1 minute you disinfect it.

[ohiosmith]

3. Works with underwear too.

[applegrove]

5. LOL!

[ashling]

23. Stop mocking me!

:rofl:

[applegrove]

25. I'm not mocking you. I don't mock. I'm too much of a creampuff. I learnt

about microwaving cloths in cooking school. I had forgotten that when up popped a thread last week talking about it. I was reminded and put it to good use on Sunday (I had to clean up some blood with the cloth). Worked great. When I started this thread about tricks I immediately thought of that. It is brilliant! The only mocking going on here tonight is me being mocked for starting this thread. Which I can take. Because I started it. And I was being "cheaky" by posting the only replies to a OP I started.

[ashling]

29. I guess you missed my earlier misadventures with this technique

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x9760034

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x9760050

I'm really not this clueless. Sometimes I have trouble multitasking LOL
:rofl:

[applegrove]

30. very funny stuff LOL!

[petronius]

92. LOL! I missed that the first time

Awesome posts... :rofl:

[tblue]

79. I heard it should be 2 minutes. Or put it in the dishwasher.

[applegrove]

82. Okay. Two minutes it is.

[applegrove]

2. Peanut butter belongs in the fridge. It grows some sorta cancerous

bacteria if left open in a cubboard.

[ohiosmith]

7. Same as underwear.

[applegrove]

10. LOL!

[raccoon]

37. Really? I never heard that. nt

[surrealAmerican]

54. I think that's just mold.

[trof]

58. OK, I've been eating PB from the pantry for over 60 years.

I call BS and 'germ police'.
;-)

[trof]

59. 1. Don't leave it 'open'. Put the bleedin' top back on. 2. Read on:

Peanut butter is gooey and delicious, yet it can remain at room temperature for months without spoiling. Low moisture levels and high oil content keep this butter from going bad for quite some time, but don’t go ignoring that expiration date just yet. Peanut butter can go rancid in about a year and lose its flavor. While fungi and bacteria won’t ruin your peanut butter, oxygenation eventually will.

[applegrove]

62. Here is the explanation:

http://forum.canucks.com/topic/206604-peanut-butter-causes-cancer/

[Lucian]

73. You got that from a hockey forum...

and there's no link to where the person got his/her info.

Forgive me if I don't believe it.

[applegrove]

74. I know. LOL! I did a search of "peanut+butter cancer" on google and

that was one of the links that came up.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

66. And giant mutant alligators live in the sewers of New York!

Heloise: Refrigerate peanut butter?
Posted: February 23, 2011 - 2:42am

http://amarillo.com/lifestyle/advice/2011-02-23/heloise-refrigerate-peanut-butter



Dear Heloise: For years, I have put my peanut butter in the refrigerator and have been told by family and friends that I do not need to. I still did and found it always to be hard to spread.

I looked on the jar and saw "No refrigeration necessary." So I switched and keep it in the cupboard. Now I read in a magazine that peanut butter should be kept in the refrigerator like other condiments, except for oil. What is your take? I read your article in The (Harrisburg, Pa.) Patriot-News. - Esther Katz in Harrisburg, Pa.

Esther, thanks for reading my column in your paper. The answer is no. Leading manufacturers say that peanut butter does not need to be refrigerated. Peanut butter's consistency may change when it is in cold temperatures, making it thicker than if left in the pantry.

Heat can cause peanut butter to lose some of its flavor - for example, the temperature in a summer cottage or a cabin without air conditioning.

[applegrove]

67. But, but, but is Dear Heloise aware of the bacteria? If she is she doesn't say.

[OhioBlue]

85. I keep my PB in the fridge

It is mostly my son that eats in on PB&J sandwiches. Since it is hard to spread cold, I just mix it with the jelly first and then it spreads easily. Btw - the kind that I buy says to refrigerate after opening.

[astral]

71. But I don't like cold peanut butter.

[applegrove]

4. Keep a lid on the Orange Juice in the fridge. Otherwise the vitamins will all escape into the air.

[NYC_SKP]

17. Same as underwear!

:P

[applegrove]

18. I heart your smiley at the bottom there.

[ohiosmith]

19. You too?

:toast:

[tblue]

80. BWAAAHAHAHA!

You a nut. :toast:

[applegrove]

6. If you get a run in your stocking leg cut off that leg and keep them. When you

have two similar one legged pairs you can wear one on top of the other and save money.

[frogmarch]

8. Do not wash garden lettuce

in your automatic washing machine and/or dry it in your automatic clothes dryer, or for weeks afterwards your underwear will have tiny pieces of lettuce in it.

[ohiosmith]

9. That's why I microwave my underwear.

[applegrove]

11. Oh you guys!!!

[frogmarch]

12. I did that once, in the 80s. It

served as a valuable lesson, that's for sure.

[ohiosmith]

13. You are supposed to take them off first.

[applegrove]

14. LOL!

[guitar man]

15. When I'm watching tv

Instead of potato chips or a similar snack, I'll break up a package of dry uncooked ramen noodles into a bowl ane sprinkle the flavor package in and stir it around. At 8 packs for a buck it's a lot cheaper than chips and probably a hell of a lot better for you :)

[applegrove]

16. That sounds like a plan.

[bluesbassman]

20. I use my kids as stepping stones for large puddles.

Who says I ain't a fun dad? :rofl:

[applegrove]

22. LOL!

[VenusRising]

21. To open a sealed screw top jar without getting liquid everywhere...

use the tip of a spoon between the lid and the jar. There is a sweet spot to it where the spoon fits perfectly. Just gently push the lid away from the jar until you hear the pop. It's very easy to open and no spills!

My minced garlic jar has a permanent rubber band on the lid for easy opening.

[nolabear]

24. Wet wipes instantly cool down metal in a hot car.

When my kids were small I was always worried about them getting burned on the metal parts of the car seat. Wet Wipe them and they're instantly cool.

Doesn't work at all on hot underwear.

[struggle4progress]

26. Dear Mr Grover Apples: Please allow me introduce myself. My name am John Honest Banker,

at First National Honest Bank of Nigeria. Your name come to me in a dreams, as I was hoped for name of good person with who I can share $100 millions of dollar from account of Harry Fatman, who died most tragic last year without any hairs ...

[applegrove]

27. LOL! "without any hairs".

[pokerfan]

28. Baking soda is good for cleaning a thermos .

So is vinegar. But baking soda and vinegar together.... kinda fun actually.

[NightWatcher]

31. Another baking soda use...as an antacid (so I've heard. Not actual medical advice)

No, but seriously, I use it exclusively.

[pokerfan]

33. That's pretty much all Alka-seltzer is

baking soda and aspirin...

[Duer 157099]

32. Use a wooden spoon for peeling garlic

Place the unpeeled garlic clove on the counter, then position the wooden spoon over the clove (the concave side of the spoon, of course) and then whack the back of the spoon with your fist to smash it.

Much safer than using a knife. I have a dedicated wooden spoon I keep in my knife block just for this purpose.

[dimbear]

34. Before you change the leathers in your kitchen pump, have a couple of buckets of water on hand.

To prime it. Otherwise it's gonna be a long dry spell.

[lillypaddle]

35. For stubborn lids on too tight ...

you can also insert the pointy end of a bottle opener under the lid and let a little air in. That works great!

[GoCubsGo]

81. If they're metal lids, I run them under hot water.

Heat expands metal, and they usually pop right off. Rapping the edges of the lid with the handle of a butter knife often works, too. It knocks the lid around a little, and breaks the vacuum seal.

[raccoon]

36. Other ways to deal with this problem: put on rubber gloves and try again.

Also, sit the jar under a thin stream of hot water a minutes or so until the lid warms up and
becomes easier to remove. Also you could microwave a wet dishcloth until it's hot, then lay it on the lid until the lid warms up. If you use either of these ways, don't burn yourself!

[GreenPartyVoter]

38. For towels or clothes with that musty smell, wash with 1 cup baking soda, then add

2 cups of vinegar to the rinse cycle.

If they are really really bad, you can wash with baking soda (and detergent) in hot water and turn off the cycle to let them soak (make sure all the colors match closely!), then run the rinse in vinegar and let them soak again in that. Repeat until the smell goes away.

(Drying them on a line in the sun would also help.)

[BarbaRosa]

39. To store tongs in a drawer.

I use an empty toilet paper tube to store my kitchen tongs in a drawer. Just close the tongs and slip them in the tube, it keeps them closed and takes up much less space in the drawer.

[zanana1]

88. How about loose knives?

I've had a few "slices" while rummaging through my utensil drawer.

[seaglass]

40. jar pop. I've had one for 2 years, it breaks the vaccum and ALWAYS works, tossed my rubber husband.

http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10000651&N=&Ntt=jar+opener

and it's only 3.99 :-)

[MilesColtrane]

48. "tossed my rubber husband"

I ain't sayin' nothin'!

:hide:

[siligut]

60. I had to google the term

"Have you heard the term “rubber husband?” Though it may conjure images not fit for all audiences it is, simply, the rubber jar opener that most of us have in our overloaded-and-always-getting-jammed kitchen tchochke drawer."

I have a rubber husband and it is very handy. Why ask Mr Gut, my proper husband, when I can do it myself? And "Tchotchke" seems to be a Jewish-American term for a junk drawer.

[seaglass]

64. Yeah, the rubber husband never really worked that well and deteriorates over time.

:-)

[MilesColtrane]

68. Hey, just like the real thing!

[zanana1]

87. LOL

[MicaelS]

41. My tricks ...

Jar trick:

I take an ordinary table knife, and holding it by the blade, I tap the side of the jar lid with the knife handle, while turning the jar. Usually a series of taps once around the jar lid loosens the lid.

Dryer trick:

I wait until I have 3 sets of dirty bedsheets, then wash them all. Then I dry all the flat sheets and pillow cases together in one load. Then all the fitted sheets in another load, that way nothing balls up inside the fitted sheet.

[jakeXT]

42. Stab it with a knife or fork to get rid of the vacuum /nt

[geardaddy]

43. Pour baking soda and white vinegar down a slow drain.

It takes a while but it's fun to watch.

[GoCubsGo]

83. Great for cleaning toilets, too.

Tap down on the toilet handle just enough to let a little bit of water to run down the sides of the bowl. Sprinkle in some baking soda around the bowl. (The water that just ran down the sides will help it stick.) Then pour in a roughly equal amount of white vinegar. It will fizz up. Give the bowl a once-over with the brush, and then flush it away.

[Patiod]

44. Microwave crystalized honey (but w/o metal lid, or underwear)

No need to nuke it into next Friday, just warm it up.

[surrealAmerican]

56. ... and remember ...

... honey has an infinite shelf life, so even if it has crystallized, it's still safe to eat!

[MilesColtrane]

45. Here's a tip:

If you're ever invited to a party at ohiosmith's house, be prepared to talk about his underwear.

[Ikonoklast]

55. Addendum To Tip #1, Re: Party @ ohiosmith's.

Never Consume Any Food At Party Heated In Microwave.

[GusBob]

46. patented hangover cure

prevention really

stay awake about an hour, eat a huge sammich and lurk on du while drinking lotsa ice water


but dont PUI

[Avalux]

47. I use water bottle tops to seal bags....

cut the top off right below the neck, insert bag through top, fold bag over and then screw on the cap. I hope that makes sense....here's a pic if it doesn't!

[hamsterjill]

49. Ingenius!!

I'm totally going to steal this idea!!! Thank you.

[Avalux]

50. You're welcome!

They're great if you buy bulk items in bags; seals them and better than twisties. :hi:

[Arkansas Granny]

51. Now, that's a neat trick. I'll be trying that one.

[myrna minx]

77. Very clever!

:hi:

[Arkansas Granny]

52. To remove label adhesive from an item, rub a little peanut butter on it,

let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe off or wash with warm water. Peanut butter is also good for removing chewing gum from a kids hair.

Edit to add: Peanut butter does not belong in your underwear.

[surrealAmerican]

57. I use vegetable oil for this.

Any kind will do. Oil dissolves many adhesives.

[Arkansas Granny]

75. Yes. I found out years ago that lemon oil furniture polish will dissolve roofing tar.

[trof]

61. Cancerous peanut butter that's been open in the pantry for months?

:rofl:

[Arkansas Granny]

76. Yep that's the stuff.

And they can have my cancerous peanut butter when they scrape it off my PBJ.

[blogslut]

53. How to make yummy, nutritious Ramen in the Microwave

Ingredients/Tools:

1 package Ramen noodle soup mix
1-1 1/2 cups of water
Chopped/Sliced Fresh/Frozen veggies
1 large egg
1 cereal size bowl
1 small Microwave-safe dish (ex: empty margarine tub or chip dip tub)
Your preferred seasonings/sauces

Steps:
Open the Ramen package and place the noodle brick in the bowl. Give it a good smash so it fits neatly. Pour water over the noodles until they are almost covered. Top with fresh/frozen veggies.

Place in Microwave and heat for roughly 7 minutes. Your time may vary.

Just before your noodles are cooked, pour about two tablespoons of water into your small Microwave-safe dish. Crack the egg into the dish and stir the mixture thoroughly.

When the noodles are done, take them out of the Microwave and pop the egg/water mixture in. Set the timer for a little over one minute - my ideal is 1 minute 15 seconds.

While the egg is cooking add whatever seasonings or sauces you want to your noodle/veggie dish. I like the seasoning packet, Teryaki sauce, a dash of vinegar and a pat of butter.

When the bell rings on the egg, take it out and look at it. It should resemble fluffy bits - not hard but not super runny. When the egg is properly cooked mix it in with your Ramen and veggies.

Voila! Cheap. Nutritious. Tasty. No stove. No heating up the whole house.

[pokerfan]

63. Top Ramen Tamale

Top Ramen Tamale

1 bag of Top Ramen
1 larger bag of Doritos

Poke a small hole in each bag so air can escape.
Crush ingredients of each bag into tiny pieces
Open both bags and dump the Ramen into the (larger) Doritos bag
Add flavoring packet and any other spices you want
Add enough boiling water to just cover everything
Stir
Roll the bag up tight
Wrap a towel around it to hold the heat
Let it sit for twenty minutes or so
If you used the right amount of water, it should be a solid tamale-like consistency.
Bon appetit!

[MilesColtrane]

69. Hmm...

Maybe 25 years ago when I was in college...

And drunk...

And that was the only food in my dorm room...

[pokerfan]

72. Top Ramen tends to remind me of college

Comfort food.

[zanana1]

89. Sounds great. I'll try it. nt

[Shagbark Hickory]

65. If you give me a $50 bill, I can make it disappear. Pretty good trick.

[MilesColtrane]

70. Can you really consider slipping it into the thong of a lap dancer...

making it "disappear"?

[meegbear]

78. Mix Karo Corn Syrup with red food coloring and keep in a small vial and a small piece of glass ...

Then goto a fancy-schmancy restaurant and order the most items on the menu.

When you are done, put the glass in your hand and slip some Karo in your mouth. Now act like the glass was in your food and you bit into it. Tell the manager you're not gonna sue them, you're just gonna leave and see your dentist in the morning.

Free meal!

[GoCubsGo]

84. Aspirin helps remove sweat stains and odor from clothing.

Dissolve several aspirin tablets in a sink filled with water that is as hot as your garment can handle. Soak the garment for several hours, and then launder as usual. It doesn't always get the stains out, but it always gets the smell out. It's a great way to use up expired aspirin.

[OhioBlue]

86. scraps of soap

When the bar of soap gets to small to use - I put it in a netted accessory holder hanging in the shower. When I have enough... I chop them up in a manual food chopper and use them as laundry detergent. The don't work well in cold water tho - I use them for the towels and sheets and stuff..

[zanana1]

90. Lots of good things come from bits of soap.

If you aren't picky about your shower soap, just take the small pieces and put them together in the foot of an old nylon sock. You might want to double up on the nylons. The lather is just fantastic.

[zanana1]

91. catnip socks.

I take an old, worn-out sock and put loose catnip in the toe. Then I cut off the part of the sock I don't need and tie it at the end. The cats don't care that they aren't cute, and loose catnip is usually fresher than the kind they put in toys.