madamekelly

I would need a third hamper, for what DH calls "the Barbie" load. All my hot pink, bright red, bright orange, etc, to keep the colors from spreading....

lynnie

JANJJ----I want to hear more of your tips. really great.

alagal

I keep a printed list in my makeup case of everything we need to pack for a trip. My husbands list is on the left and mine is on the right. I copy and paste that list 3 more times on one sheet of paper. I tear off one strip to use that day and put the original sheet back into the case. I also have a hospital list to keep in 2 smaller bags since my hubby has to be admitted on short notice now and then. That way, he has what he needs and I have what I need to cover several days since we have no family to help out. He is deaf, so I have to stay with him the entire time - which can run into as much as 8 days. I have actually had to throw things together while waiting for the ambulance.

Notwendy

I learned this from The Fly Lady (I find her writing style annoying but her methods work): get a cylindrical toilet brush holder that can hold water for each bathroom. Fill half way and add a squirt of cheap shampoo (Apple or Peach Suave is nice). Swish the bowls every morning. Also keep an all purpose cleaning spray in each bathroom and a roll of paper towels (or a stack of washcloths) and wipe the mirror, sink & countertop after you get ready in the morning. She calls this a Swish & Wipe. If you do it everyday your bathrooms will always be guest ready.

Consistency is key and it really works. It is a great habit to instill in kids too.

Sewnoma

Toothpaste (the white paste kind) can clean a surprising number of things. It's a mild abrasive and can work miracles on things like shoes and dirty plastic.

Borax is a good ant killer. Ants crave either sugar or protein depending on the cycle of their colony - mix borax with sugar and put it out for the ants; if they don't go for it try peanut butter and borax. If you have pets, put the mixture into an old candy tin (like Altoids) and tape it securely shut and poke some holes near the bottom with a nail. The mixture works a little slower than a spray would, but I think it's safer around pets and it will eventually wipe out the entire colony since they add it to the colony's food supply.

Sewnoma

Used dryer sheets are great dust cloths. I also tuck new ones into my boots when I store them for the summer; they smell new and fresh every winter.

Sewnoma

Oh, and one last thing - DH & I keep a fairly large "thrift store box" going at all times. We try to fill the box every week - we are really over-cluttered and this is a way for us to slowly work on getting rid of all the extra "stuff". We try to discard 1 or 2 things for every new thing we bring into the house.

NatalieF

I'm loving all of these!

jmoore

This time of year I do a lot of baking for my business, holiday parties and church functions. Of the most requested recipes (such as my pecan pie bars and apple pear teacakes) I premeasure my dry ingredients and put them in plastic tubs or quart size baggies and label them, that way when I need to bake a batch, most of the ingredients are ready so the baking process goes quickly.

mojo11

We can always find great ideas on this board from all you smart ladies. Thank you.