Helpful household tips

Shop helpers: Save those big gallon plus plastic laundry detergent jugs. Wash them well and then dry. Set in the farm/ranch shop, they are ideal to haul oil to farm machinery. Saves time by not having to return to the shop to refill.

Someone has said not to use for gasoline as the lids don’t have pop-off valves in case the jug gets hot and the gas expands (not good).

Glove repair: If your glove rips out at the end of the fingers just put a marble in the end so it won’t smash together while you sew up the rip.

Reader requested home recipe:

Several people have asked for the following recipe. I’m thinking they are way safer for the school aged children as well as adults, Paula wrote.

Homemade mouthwash No. 1 (without alcohol)

• 1 cup water;

• 1 teaspoon baking soda; and

• 3 drops peppermint essential oil.

Mix in a small jar and shake well before using as the soda will settle to the bottom of the jar.

Homemade mouthwash No. 2

• 1 cup of water; and

• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar.

Mix well before using and again, shake well before each use.

Gamey flavor in meat: If you soak your game in water with a little bit of baking soda, it will not taste gamey. Or you can soak wild meat in a gallon of water with 1/4 cup of vinegar in it. Rinse well and it works great.

Dryer sheets keep mice away: Put dryer sheets in vehicles you are storing or in tack rooms because the mice don’t like the smell.

If you have hints or ideas to share, send them to PennyWise, Box 518, Kadoka, South Dakota 57543; or email them to [email protected]. If you send me your name and address, I’ll send you a free copy of the PennyWise Newsletter. Please mention High Plains Journal when you write.