Uses You Can Use
Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the cupboard
To see what was there to be purged
She looked in the back
And found stuff on the rack
With many new uses – we’re sure.
You don’t have to be Old Mother Hubbard to know that some of the kitchen staples in the back of your cupboard are worth re-purposing.
Vinegar: Not just for pickling.
Washing Machine Sanitizer - Run the machine (empty) through the warm water wash cycle, then add a gallon of vinegar to the rinse cycle to get rid of soap scum and flush out the hoses. (If you didn’t think your machine needs cleaning, just think of what you ran through it last week when your kids had the stomach flu!)
Paint Brush Cleanser – Soak paint brushes in pure vinegar and wash with warm soapy water.
Baking Soda: Not just for keeping the fridge fresh.
Pet Shampoo – Clean your dog the old fashioned way. Add a handful of baking soda to a bath or rub onto coat before rinsing with the hose. In between washes, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on fur before brushing. (Better than the fancy pooch parlour.)
Stuffed Animal Freshener – Has Elmo had a little too much love? Get those plush toys clean with a sprinkle of baby-safe (and edible) baking soda. Let sit for 15 minutes before shaking off.
Wax Paper: Not just for baking and hamburger patties.
Catch-All Counter Protector – Place underneath your cheese grater or on the counter when working with any non-liquid ingredients that spill (such as flour). Simply pick up the wax paper and slide the grated cheese just where you need it or the spilled ingredients back into the container. Saves waste and simplifies clean-up.
“Stained Glass Window” Craft – Shave crayons with a pencil sharpener onto wax paper. Fold in half, iron, let cool and hang in window.
Freezer/Sandwich Bags: Not just on-the-go packs for crayons and wipes.
Pastry Bag – Fill a freezer bag with icing, cut a small hole on the corner and squeeze onto cupcakes, cookies or cake.
Counting or Alphabet Games – Label bags with letters or numbers. Have children fill bags with the matching number of objects or pictures that start with the matching letter.
So now you know your cupboard should never be bare. (btw, do you think she ever found that bone?)