DOUBLE DUTY
Did you know that you have a personal beauty spa right in your refrigerator? And did you know that for easy fix-it projects around your home, you simply need to look at your grocery list for help? Here are some ways to make your groceries do double duty.
Hair and face care
BRIGHTER EYES Were you up all night studying for a test, and now it's morning, and your eyes are tired and puffy? Take a few slices of a cold cucumber, and place them over your eyes. Leave them on for about 5 to 10 minutes. Good-bye puffiness, good morning bright eyes!
CLEARER SKIN Uh-oh. You've got a date this weekend, and you just woke up with a pimple! Take a little toothpaste – not too much – and put it on the pimple. Leave it on for at least five minutes. Repeat daily if necessary. By Saturday night, your date won't notice a thing!
LIGHTER HAIR Do you want some summer highlights and can't afford a hair salon? The next time you're going out in the sun, squeeze some fresh lemon juice into a bowl, and comb it through your hair.
Fix-it projects
WATER STAINS Did you leave a cold glass of water on a wooden table overnight, and now there's a ring on it? You can't make it disappear, but you can lighten it considerably with toothpaste. Mix equal parts toothpaste and baking soda, and then rub the mixture into the wood with a damp cloth. Wipe it off with a dry cloth.
CLOGGED DRAIN Is your shower drain clogged, and now the water's taking a long time to go down? Mix equal parts salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar, and then pour it down the drain. Follow with boiling water. Leave it overnight.
Pest remedy
INSECT BITES One thing about summer you can't control is the bugs. But you can stop them from biting you. White vinegar will deter some pests. Pour some vinegar onto a cloth, and wipe over your skin. The smell goes away after the vinegar has dried, but the bugs won't like the taste of the vinegar. Reapply often.