De-Icing Doorsteps

For icy doorsteps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and put Dawn dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze.

Grease or Oil Spots on Driveway - Removing

If you have oil patches on your drive, pour cola on them and leave overnight, rinse off with with soapy water the following morning. The oil will have disappeared.

Rachael from South Africa writes:
"I have heard that essential oils such as lemongrass & Citronella discourages fleas and ticks on dogs. Perhaps grow a fresh batch of lemongrass."

Rebecca writes:
"Try planting any kind of MINT! It repels ants, fleas, etc..... My dog loves to lay in it. I separated a pot full for my use. I planted some everywhere she likes to lay, under the poarch, cool spot in the garden, around her house, etc.... Mow it to keep it from spreading - it will go everywhere unless contained."

Fran writes:
"These are some of the plants which will repell fleas - Brewers Yeast
Garlic
Fennel
Pennyroyal
Pyrethrum Daisy"

Removing Ant Hills

1. "This will get rid of all your ants even a large ant hill take half sugar and half twenty muleteam borox mix together and put where ever there are ants not around dogs as they like the sugar. I promise you this works Got rid of a giant hill took about 10 days ants carry it back to the nest."(Submitted by Pat)

2. " In regards to getting rid of ant hills--------My mother tells me that if you sprinkle Cream of Wheat on the hills that this will get rid of them. Make sure that the ground is dry and that there is no rain in the forecast because it won't work if the Cream of Wheat gets wet. She says it works and I'm going to try it myself once the rains stop because we have LOTS of those little hills too."(Submitted by Skeat)

3. "When I lived in Alabama we had fire ants. They are very aggressive. We would use a shovel and dig up a big shovel full of ants from one hill and deposit them on a different hill. We did it with several hills in our yard and they kill each other off. No chemicals or anything. I don't know if it works for regular 'sugar' ants or not." (Submitted by Victoria)

Here's a sharp idea: remove rust from household tools by using a paste of Salt and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Apply the paste to rusted area with a dry cloth and rub.

1. Peanut butter -- will get scratches out of CD's! Wipe off with a coffee filter paper.

Submitted by Alicia
"I used to work with a little boy who had a cochlear implant for his hearing. Since there was metal circuitry in his head, we had to try our darndest to keep him free of electrical shocks. We were told to rub down chairs, doors, play equipment, etc. with fabric softener sheets. Maybe this will help for you, too."