Auntie Tips (32)

Tip 1:
To retain the elasticity of socks, tie a rubber band around them before putting in the washing machine.

Tip 2:
For undiluted iced lemon tea, make your ice cubes with tea instead of water.

Tip 3:
To keep your stove sparkling, clean it with crumpled newspaper dabbed in water and detergent, then wipe down with damp newspaper.

Tip 4:
Dry glassware with muslin cotton nappies to leave free of water stains.

Tip 5:
Use hot water in an aromatherapy burner for the fragrance to be released faster.

From : Simply Her - Jun 2008

Auntie Tips (31)

Tip 1:
To remove the odour from raw food, rub a few coffee beans on your hands - this releases their oils and absorbs the smell.

Tip 2:
To treat oil stains on garments, moisten and sprinkle talcum powder or plain flour on them. Leave for 15 minutes, then wash with soap and warm water.

Tip 3:
To keep cakes moist for longer, store them in a box with half an apple in it.

Tip 4:
To get your nails whiter, scrub with whitening toothpaste or soak in water with lemon juice.

Tip 5:
When cooking hard-boiled eggs, add a pinch of salt to the water - this makes it easier to peel off the shell.

Tip 6:
Add some vinegar to the water you use to mop your ceramic floor to keep it shiny.

From : Simply Her - May 2008

Auntie Tips (30)

Tip 1:
Remove coloured stains from white or silver surfaces by applying toothpaste, then rubbing with a wet cloth.

Tip 2:
To give hair a natural shine, use warm unsweetened tea as a final rinse after shampooing.

Tip 3:
Place a cup of warm milk in your shoe rack for an hour to get rid of musty odours.

Tip 4:
Use old toothbrushes to scrub bathroom corners or to remove stubborn dirt between tiles.

Tip 5:
To clean the inside of a water bottle, put two to three tablespoons of salt in it, add a little water and shake vigorously.

Tip 6:
To remove sticky remnants from your car windows, apply hot oil, leave it for a while, then clean with soap and water.

Tip 7:
To whiten yellowed clothes, soak overnight in 12 parts warm water and 1 part vinegar, and wash in the morning.

Tip 8:
If you have cheese bits stuck in the grater, clean it by grating a piece of bread.

From : Simply Her - Apr 2008

Auntie Tips (29)

Tip 1:
To tie a parcel securely, dip the string in hot water - the string will shrink and tighten when it dries.

Tip 2:
Recycle charcoal ashes from your barbecue by using them to scrub metal cooking pots - it removes charred stains and restores shine.

Tip 3:
To get electrical switch plates white and shiny again, wipe with a cotton pad and some nail polish remover.

Tip 4:
Remove ballpoint pen marks from clothing or handbags by rubbing with 70% isopropyl alcohol (found at pharmacies). Test on an inconspicuous area first.

Tip 5:
Separate drinking glasses that are stuck together by filling the inner one with cold water and dipping the outer one in hot water.

Tip 6:
To keep chillies from growing mouldy, pluck off the stems then wrap in newspaper and refrigerate.

Tip 7:
Clean patent leather with a slice of white bread. It wipes off smudge marks and brings back the shine.

Tip 8:
Remove rust from tools by rubbing with a paste of salt and lemon juice.

From : Simply Her - Mar 2008

Auntie Tips (28)

Tip 1:
Stretch a rubber band around the rim of a covered container to prevent ants from getting in.

Tip 2:
To prevent dripping fat from flaring up the flames when barbecuing meat, cover the hot charcoal with a layer of fresh lettuce leaves.

Tip 3:
To salvage an overbaked cake, pour 1/4 cup of milk evenly over the cake while it is still hot. Once the milk has been absorbed, turn the cake pan over and let it cool.

Tip 4:
To get your fish really crispy, immerse it in milk before dipping into flour.

Tip 5:
When sewing on buttons, use two separate threads for each side of a four-hole button. It is unlikely that both threads will break at the same time, so you won't lose your button.

Tip 6:
Don't discard old contact lens cases. Use them to store a dab of facial wash and moisturiser for those overnight trips.

Tip 7:
To prevent worms or weevils from infesting your rice, place a few drops of cooking oil in the rice bin and shake it well or add a few dried red chillies.

Tip 8:
To remove candle wax from a carpet, fill a plastic bag with ice cubes and place it on top of the wax for a few minutes. Then gently lift off the brittle wax with a blunt knife.

From : Simply Her - Feb 2008

Auntie Tips (27)

Tip 1:
If you have an ant problem in your home, find out where the ants are entering from. Sprinkle cinnamon powder or ground black or white pepper there.

Tip 2:
To keep your room free of mosquitoes, cut a lemon in half and press whole cloves into the skin. Lay the lemon, cut side down, on a plate and place in the room - it also helps scent the air.

Tip 3:
Polish silver accessories with Hoi Tong white pressed powder (from Chinese medical halls). Put some on a cotton pad and rub silver till it shines.

Tip 4:
If your chopping board is discoloured, rub some salt on it and leave for half an hour. Then wash with a scouring pad.

Tip 5:
To get rid of the burnt taste from burnt rice, place a slice of white bread on top of the rice while it's hot. Replace the lid and wait a few minutes, then remove the bread.

Tip 6:
Put expired tea bags to good use - place them in shoes and wardrobes for a pleasant fragrance.

Tip 7:
Cut cotton buds in half and pack several in a small zip-lock bag (those holding medication are ideal). They are handy as eyeshadow or concealer applicators, or to remove excess makeup when you're on-the-go.

From : Simply Her - Jan 2008

Auntie Tips (26)

Tip 1:
To get rid of stains in your electric kettle or airpot, place lemon slices inside, fill with water and boil.

Tip 2:
To get rid of the stickiness left on your fingers by tape, rub fingertips with salt and rinse.

Tip 3:
Remove tomato sauce stains from plastic containers by rubbing with a damp cloth dipped in baking soda.

Tip 4:
Treat oil stains on clothing right away - sprinkle with baby powder, cornstarch or artificial sweetener to absorb the oil. Rub in liquid detergent to treat remaining spots, then wash in the hottest water suitable for the fabric.

From : Simply Her - Dec 2007

Auntie Tips (25)

Tip 1:
Place a stalk of pandan leaf in your wardrobe to get rid of insects and bugs ; it also leaves a pleasant fragrance.

Tip 2:
Place a few pieces of charcoal in the fridge or under the sink to absorb stale odours.

Tip 3:
Keep glass-top furniture sparkly clean with lemon juice ; to remove scratches from a glass surface, rub in some toothpaste.

Tip 4:
Not handy with a hammer but need to put a nail in the wall? Use a fork to hold the nail in place, then hammer away.

From : Simply Her - Nov 2007

Auntie Tips (24)

Tip 1:
Don't throw out the desiccant sachets from your vitamin bottles - put them in cookie jars to keep biscuits fresh longer

Tip 2:
Use creamy peanut butter to remove the residue left by sticky labels on glass.

Tip 3:
To remove stains on cups or utensils, rub crushed egg shells over the stains, then rinse.

Tip 4:
Place a slice of apple in hardened brown sugar to soften it.

From : Simply Her - Oct 2007

Auntie Tips (23)

Tip 1:
To prevent superglue from drying up, place it in the fridge and it will be as good as new.

Tip 2:
To maintain the freshness of leftover spaghetti sauce, freeze the sauce in an ice-cube tray. Just defrost what you need each time.

Tip 3:
Frozen packets of ketchup and chilli sauce make up for handy ice packs when your kid gets those bruises or bumps.

Tip 4:
Wrap celery in aluminium foil before refrigerating and it will keep for weeks.

From : Simply Her - Sep 2007

Auntie Tips (22)

Tip 1 :
Worried about candles dripping hot wax on the birthday cake you have baked? Simply use marshmallows to secure the candles firmly. Not only will they hold the candles straight and steady, marshmallows will also make your cake looks quite pretty.

Tip 2 :
You've bought a pretty bouquet of flowers, but find that their stems are too short for your long-necked vase? Try and insert the stem ends into drinking straws. Then simply cut the straws according to the length you desire.

Tip 3 :
Don't throw away your children's old baby booties or socks. Instead, slip them on the legs of the table and chairs. The socks will protect both your furniture and floor. And booties will add a 'cute' touch, especially in a child's room.

Tip 4 :
To remove stains on your fabric car upholstery, simply squirt a palm-sized of shaving cream on it. Rub thoroughly with a damp cloth and then dab dry with a sponge.

From : Women's Weekly - Dec 2008

Auntie Tips (21)

Tip 1 :
Don't throw away clothes with sweat stains just yet. You can get rid of the stains by dissolving three aspirin tablets in a large bowl filled with water, and then soaking the shirt or top in the mixture for one hour. Launder as usual.

Tip 2 :
To clean a thermos, just pour a tablespoon of salt and some ice cubes into the flask. Close and swirl so that the salt and ice cubes lightly scour the bottom and inside of the flask. Rinse thoroughly before use.

Tip 3 :
To remove dirt from your favourite leather bag and make it almost as good as new, just rub the surface with medicated oil.

Tip 4 :
So your fridge becomes sparkling white and smells minty fresh, apply toothpaste on the inside and scrub with a sponge, brush or rag. Wipe with a cloth to dry.

Tip 5 :
It can be irritating to walk and move when your dress is clingingg to you due to static. To solve this, just pin a small safety pin onto the seam of your skirt or dress. The same thing goes for slacks that cling when you wear panty hose.

From : Women's Weekly - Nov 2008

Auntie Tips (20)

Tip 1 :
If you have chopped more garlic than what your recipe requires, you can still keep the bunch and maintain their freshness. You can even add a little flavour too. Simply soak the pieces in olive oil inside a bottle and then keep in the fridge.

Tip 2 :
Cut out the bottom of a clean milk jug; turn it upside down and fill it with the plastic bags from grocery shopping. Punch holes on the sides of the jug, insert hooks and hang it in your pantry. To dispense the plastic bags, just pull through the mouth of the jug.

Tip 3 :
To prevent the mess kids might leave behind due to ice-cream dripping from the cone, simply stuff a piece of marshmallow at the botton of the cone to prevent this.

Tip 4 :
When you've purchased new bedsheets, use the plastic cover that comes with it to store your shoes or sandals. It will keep them clean and dust-free, plus you can easily organise them at a glance.

Tip 5 :
Lint and dust are more visible on dark wood furniture. Others may mop it up with a wet cloth, but here's another way to remove those specks : Get a long bottle or a rolled-up magazine, put cellophane tape around it sticky side up and roll it along the surface.

From : Women's Weekly - Jan 2008

Auntie Tips (19)

Tip 1 :
Turn used perfume bottles into decorative pieces by putting artificial flowers, or have fun lining them up on a mantle or shelf in your study or living room.

Tip 2 :
What can you do with a pair of chopsticks, beads and votive candle holder? Use them to make an arty photo stand. Apply hot glue on the centre of the votive candle holder. Stick the chopsticks in. After the glue has dried and the chopsticks are upright, fill the votive holder with beads and insert your favourite photo in between the chopsticks, or put the photo in front.

Tip 3 :
Cut out used envelope's corners, which will leave you with little triangles. These can be used as organisers for your documents. Group similar bills or papers and insert the top left side of the pages inside a triangle cut-out. Staple and them label based on date or subject.

Tip 4 :
Remove all the burnt smells in the kitchen with the skin of an orange. Simply place the skin in a shallow saucepan filled with water and simmer. Your kitchen will be filled with a refreshing aroma.

From : Women's Weekly - Nov 2007

Auntie Tips (18)

Tip 1 :
Here's another way to get rid of dirt on any white material : just pour any herbal-infused shampoo you can find into a pail, together with the material. Add some water and leave it there for a while. The water will turn grey - a sign that the dirt has been removed. Try this method for getting the shine back in your stainless steel pots and pans too.

Tip 2 :
Are your child's stuffed toys beginning to get dusty and dirty? Bring out the cornstarch and start rubbing it onto the affected areas. Let the cornstarch stand for a while before brushing it off.

Tip 3 :
To make fresh lemon or orange juice without a juicer, simply place the fruit on a chopping board, and roll it back and forth a couple of times. Cut the fruit in half and insert a fork in the centre. Twist the fork continuously inside the fruit above a wide and large bowl. You'll still get a lot of juice and there'll be no mess at all.

Tip 4 :
If there are stains or unpleasant smells in your vases, just make a mixture of salt and vinegar and rub it all over.

Tip 5 :
You can reuse the plastic, boxy containers which are used to pack grapes and starwberries. As these containers have holes punched into them, you can actually convert them into recyclable strainers. Put your vegetables inside one so you conveniently wash each item under running water. Use it to store the washed vegetables in the fridge as well.

From : Women's Weekly - Oct 2007

Auntie Tips (17)

Tip 1 :
To create a natural and uplifting scent for your bathroom, cut an orange in half, scoop out the pulp to form a cup and pour in a tablespoon of salt. Leave one on the sink, above the cabinet or within the toilet area. Once the smell is gone, you can just replace the orange cups with new ones.

Tip 2 :
To sharpen your scissors, stack three pieces of aluminium foil one on top of the other and cut them a few times.

Tip 3 :
Before you get rid of your old blouses, snip off the pretty buttons and store them in a jar. You can use them to jazz up a picture frame, embellish a plain purse or create a one-of-a-kind bookmark. You can also add some to your scrapbook or journal.

Tip 4 :
To make deliciously fried and crisp fish, immerse the fish in milk before you dip it in flour.

Tip 5 :
Snip off the foot part of an old pair of stockings and place it over your sweeper's head. Push the edges into the grippers to secure, and start cleaning the rooms as usual. You will find that the mesh fabric of the stocking attracts and traps dust quickly.

From : Women's Weekly - Sept 2007

Auntie tips (16)

Tip 1:
To remove stinky smells from a container, place crumpled newspaper inside, close the lid and leave for the few days. Then wash as usual.

Tip 2:
To keep a vacuum flask odour-free, fill half the flask with vinegar, hot water and pieces of egg shells. Leave overnight, then wash with detergent.

Tip 3:
To get rid of fishy smells after handling seafood, wash your hands with salt.

Tip 4:
Place a dry scented tea bag under the mouth piece of the telephone to eliminate unwanted odours.

From : Simply Her - Aug 2007

Auntie tips (15)

Tip 1:
Thaw frozen fish in a shallow bowl of milk to remove the fishy smell.

Tip 2:
If your dish is too spicy, add a teaspoon of sugar to it.

Tip 3:
If you've overcooked your sauce or dishes, stick a couple of fresh whole chillies into the dish until the burnt smell fades. Be sure to place the chillies upright.

From : Simply Her - Jun 2007

Auntie tips (14)

Tip 1:
Pour nail varnish remover onto a piece of cotton to remove ink and coffee marks on surfaces such as tablecloths and carpets.

Tip 2:
To keep the gilt frame of any evening bag bright, go over it with clear nail varnish.

Tip 3:
Apply clear nail varnish on ribbon ends to prevent fraying.

Tip 4:
Paint transparent nail polish over patent wedge heels so they don't get scratched easily.

From : Simply Her - May 2007

Auntie tips (13)

Tip 1:
To remove deposits from your kettle, fill it with equal parts of vinegar and water, bring to a boil and let it stand overnight

Tip 2:
To get rid of shreds of cheese stuck in the grater, try grating a raw potato after. It will clear the gummy cheese bits out of the tiny holes.

Tip 3:
If your chopping board smells of onion, garlic, fish or anything with a strong odour, rub it with a sliced lemon or lime and the board will smell fresh again.

From : Simply Her - Apr 2007