SIMPLE SOLUTIONS is a collection of bright ideas shared by a brilliant blogger community –
things that have worked for them, but may or may not work for you. Of course there are no guarantees.
Thank you – each of you – for your incredible ideas.
The following “tips” are not listed in any particular order. If we get thousands more, I may try to organize them by categories.
Until then, the “simple solution” is to browse.
ENDING FREEZER TAPE LOST ENDS From Virginia Views – Sick of coming back to the roll of freezer tape only to find the end stuck so you can hardly see it much less peel it off? Save the little plastic tabs from bread packages and stick one on the tape end. Problem solved!
WHICH SIDE IS UP? From Silver in the Barn – My Simple Solution is from my mother, the hausfrau supreme. You know how it can be hard to tell which way the mattelasse/duvet/bedspread should go on the bed? And inevitably, fifty-fifty chance, you put it on the wrong way the first time. Well, she just pins a tiny little safety pin on the underside at one end and then she knows just how to place it. Works like a charm.
UNWRAPPING SARAN WRAP From Mama’s Empty Nest – It took me years of opening up the saran wrap/aluminum foil/whatever box and accidentally dumping out the roll which then rolled across the floor or counter. Many years later, I FINALLY figured out there were little tabs on the sides of the box to push in which hold the roll in place in the box. Who knew?? They have saved my sanity and angry outbursts!
DOUBLE DUTY PAPER CLIP From Jill Weatherholt – I’ve always used a small paper clip to keep from going insane when needing a piece of tape.
FOR A WHITER SMILE From Jill Weatherholt – For teeth whitening, I mix up a little peroxide with some water. I’ll brush and rinse with the solution. Those whitening toothpastes and rinses are too harsh for me.
DO-IT-YOURSELF CHIP CLIP From Eliza Waters – How to close a bag of chips without a clip! http://youtu.be/2icvrrrwMYw
EGG CARTON STORAGE From Virginia Views – I store small Christmas ornaments in egg cartons. The soft cardboard ones are the best because they provide a nice protective padding.
SOFT TOES From These Days of Mine – The most recent one I’ve learned: Vaseline on the cuticles of my toenails to smooth them. I’ve tried everything, so I was so happy that this works!
ORGANIZING CORDS AND CHARGERS From earthrider – I like to use Freezer Bags that allow you to write on them with permanent marker. Wonderful stuff. I use it for items that I don’t freeze as well such as my cords and recharger for my camera.
Note: The inserted photos above are just some of the many suggested by Eliza Waters . Thanks Eliza!
brillliant 🙂
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I have always said you are very clever~
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Thanks for the peppermint tip, I’m going to spray that all over the house. My little daughter had a very nasty spider bite just recently. The toothbrushes and pegs is so clever, and the Christmas storage as well- what brilliant ideas, thanks for sharing Dor 😀
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Excellent ideas – who knew we could solve
These everyday issues so simply
Thanks
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I love all of these tips, Dor. Thanks for trying to make our lives a little easier. 🙂
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I’m going to try the peppermint oil in our garage, hoping to eradicate those spiders. Thanks for organizing these, and for including my tip!
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Great ideas! Thanks everyone and Dor for sharing.
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Some great tips coming in. I’ll be trying the peppermint spray for spiders and mice. A cheeky little mouse ran out from behind the fridge the other day so now I’ve got to catch him before Polly does.
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OK, these are all great but Eliza’s do-it-yourself chip clip is too amazing. My husband is always complaining about my substandard closing of the bag. Can’t wait to show him this clip!! And isn’t Vaseline just the most amazing product on earth. Great simple solutions, Dor. What fun.
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Wonderful! Does peppermint oil work for ants?
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Thanks! 🙂
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We see ourselves in those we love! 🙂 Thanks Cindy!
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I am smiling! Hugs for trying the peppermint solution. I think I will try that too. 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by Diane and for your nice comment. Lemme know if you try any of the solutions and how they work. 🙂
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I think it’s great fun to find silly things we never thought of to help with daily living. Glad you agree Jill. Thanks…
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You are so welcome Dianna! Hope your reunion festivities are going well…..
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Hope you can use some of those great idea Georgette! I know I’m gonna try the invisible chip clip thing and several of the others. 🙂
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I love your description “a cheeky little mouse.” 🙂 Let us know if the peppermint spray helps.
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I can’t wait to try the vaseline cure too Barbara! There’s something else we have in common too… We both have “substandard” methods of closing a chip bab! 🙂
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Noo idea of peppermint oil would work to deter ants but it’s sure worth a try! 🙂
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Thanks for the credit, Dor, but I can only claim being the one to pass on other folks ingenious ideas. I have a friend who often forwards these things to me. I’ll remember to pass them on to you when the next batch arrives! 🙂
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Something that works for ants is boric acid. Mix it with a little sugar to attract them; the boric acid will finish them off.
BUT be careful if you have animals running around, or small children who might want a taste too.
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I love this post, Dor. Tips like those can make life so much easier.
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I have lots of mint in my garden to put to good use Thanks 🙂
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A wonderful, useful list. Thank you, Dora. And, thank you for crediting my suggestion. 😉
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You are so welcome Judy! 🙂
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This is a great tip Ronnie. I will save it and if we get lots more, I’ll do another “group” post. Thank you! 🙂
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Great tips–I think this has the potential to be then next Hints from Heloise. 🙂
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Thanks!
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LOL! We will all be famous. 🙂
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These are just fantastic!
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These are great! I have to remember the peppermint oil to keep spiders out. Every fall, we battle spiders getting in our garage and trying to infiltrate the house. Peppermint to the rescue! I hope!!
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Good luck Cindy, and let us know if it works!
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