     Calendars Cards for Occassions Cell Phone Safety Certified Mail Care Of Pets Care Of Plants Cleaning Clothing Clothing Care & Quick Fixes Coffeemaker Care                            |
 Many
businesses
give calendars away to customers or prospective
customers as a form of advertising. These are free and useful.
At the beginning of the year when you get a calendar go through each calendar month and write the name of family members and friends on the date that is their birth date or anniversary. This way you won’t forget. You can also go back a few days or to the beginning of the calendar month and write a notation … ex: Buy birthday card for _______ or buy a gift for ______ or whatever you want to do to remember the event. This way you won’t forget or be caught at the last minute empty handed. If low on cash it gives you time to make something … a card of your own or a special gift or even a gift coupon saying you will do something for them in the future … like baby sit or wash their car or anything you think of that you know they will appreciate.  Cell Phones:  Depending the cell
phone itself and the service you have there is a
calendar option which allows you to set important dates or
appointments and/or meetings. Some cell phones have an alarm capacity
to
remind you of the dates.Computers:  Most computers
have calendar programs so that you can set the Calendars
up on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.The point is that calendars are useful in keeping control of appointments and events that need to be remembered. Just remember to read the calendar. Planners:  Weekly and Monthly
planners can be purchased at office supply stores,
drug stores, and other businesses. These are useful especially if there
are a lot of appointments to keep up with and they can be carried with
you for easy reference so you don’t obligate yourself to do something
on the same day and at the same time. With calendars set up on a weekly
format you will be able to see all the days of the week at one glance
and can easily see what increments of time you have available for
appointments.Other: There are
also
many electronic devices that are available on the market
and have capacity for a lot of information. They are easy to carry in
your pocket or purse or briefcase. These are a great option to consider
if they will fit your needs best and are within your budget.
(see Appointments)    Cards are
nice to
receive and it is fun to give them
too. There are
cards available at specialty card shops, drugstores, department stores
and variety discount stores for most all occasions.
These are
just a
few events and occasions that cards are
available for.
If you are creative and want to make your own cards, then do! That will make your card even more special to the person who receives it especially when its theme may be about one of their favorite things to collect or do. If you don’t already have the materials that you need you can find them at hobby shops, craft stores, stores that specialize in paper, discount stores and so on. Let your imagination take over! There are probably many occasions you need to remember. One way to stay ahead is to get an accordion file that has at least 12 pockets. Label each pocket by month starting with January all the way through December. In each pocket place a list of names for the people who need to be remembered. As you make the cards place them in the appropriate month’s file, or go shopping for cards. You can purchase most all the cards you will need at one time. It may not be possible to buy all of them for the year since some of the cards will be seasonal. You could always buy extras and put them in the file for the following year or from time to time when you are shopping, buy cards and then place them in the file. Just don’t forget to check the file the beginning of every month. As a reminder you can put the events of each month on your calendar. A good time to do this is at the beginning of the year when the calendar is new. Just write in all the occasions through out the year. As the year goes by, if there are births or weddings then write those dates on the calendar and at the end of the year transfer all the dates to a new calendar. This way no one or event will be forgotten.    Generally
when
newer cell phones come out or are upgraded from the
design already owned, we all want the latest model. When we purchase
the newer one, we usually get rid of the old one. Before we do, we
usually delete all of our personal information, be it saved texts, or
saved numbers etcetera.
Did you know is that any information you once had on your cell phone is actually still retrievable? Always remove the chip from your phone before giving to someone else or tossing it to the trash! Anyone with the knowledge can and will search for info that was once there....curiosity killed the cat! This information has been used against people who thought that they had gotten rid of their “stuff”. Only to find out....that they had NOT! Some suggest in case of an emergency and you are injured: Put ICE in your cell phone directory and in that area put the name and number of the person or persons to be contacted In Case Of Emergency (ICE).    Sending
mail
certified is a means of getting proof of delivery as the
person or company receiving must sign for the letter or package you are
sending them and a postcard comes back to you showing the date, time
and signature thus proving it was indeed delivered. If it is not
delivered, it will be returned to you and you will still get the
postcard which will show the time and date that delivery was attempted
This is accepted as legal proof if you should need to prove you sent something to someone. Such as payments, legal papers, packages, or correspondence in general. The forms, which are green, are available at the US Post Office. The postal clerks will help you with completing them correctly. There is a charge for this but well worth the expense should you need legal proof of sending something by mail. The important thing is, when you get the post card put it in a file or safe place so that when you need it you will be able to find it. (see Post Office)    Taking on the responsibility of a pet is more than bringing one home because it is sooooooo cute. Make a list of the things you will need for your pet and purchase these before you bring it home. There are books available at the library or pet store to give you pointers on how to properly train your pet as well as care for it.
For a cat, you will also need:
When you name
your
pet choose something that does not sound like the
word no. Otherwise every time you call it, it may think its in trouble.
Visit the Vet:  It will need to be
taken to a veterinarian on at least an annual basis.
Find a vet that is nearby and hopefully one recommended by family or
friends. Call to make an appointment to have your pet examined.
Initially this first visit may be expensive. Without records your pet
may need several shots including rabies in order to insure its health
and to meet county regulations regarding pet licenses. If there is not
anything wrong with your pet’s health then most likely it will just
need to have annual visits to the vet.Potty Training:  If your pet does
not live in a bowl or cage or use a litter box then
the pet needs to be walked on a regular basis. Dogs can be trained to
go on papers or special pads which can be bought at a pet supply
store. When you are home, and the dog has not been trained to go outside it will be up to you to train it. Begin walking it on a schedule every few hours and pay attention if it seems to be looking for a spot to squat. If this happens and this will happen, hurry and take it outside. Praise it for doing a great, job when you come back in and give it a small treat. If it has an accident, scold it and take it outside to show it that is where it is supposed to do its business but no treats! Each time you take the dog out for a walk give it a small treat when you go back home and also praise it. Before long it will get the hang of the whole thing. Before going to work or leaving for the day walk your dog. It should also be on a leash when you do this. Many towns have ordinances regarding this and they are referred to as Leash Laws. There are laws regarding cleaning up after the dog in many areas. Take along a plastic bag to clean up after your pet. Simply put your hand inside the bag and then pick up the poop. Turn the bag inside out and tie shut, toss in the trash. If it is possible and you have the time (½ hour won’t work) come home on your lunch hour and walk your dog. You don’t want a smelly house or dirty, spotted carpet because your dog couldn’t wait. When you come home for the day walk the dog and before you go to bed at night and in between if the dog needs to go out. Caging:  Some advocate
caging the dog during the day and while you are out. This
is called kenneling. This is your choice but you are not doing damage
to your pet if you don’t. How would you like to be stuck in a cage all
day, not able to move about and stretch? Sounds pretty harsh. Of course
it will prevent your pet from getting into trouble … tearing things up,
chewing on shoes and table legs and relieving itself. However the dog
can be shown what it has done and scolded. Once it learns that you are
coming home and you have not abandoned it, and it has out grown the
puppy stage, it will stop.
Papers can be put down for accidents. Eventually many dogs learn to wait for their masters to come home and walk them. * Stainless Steel or Glass Bowls will be the safest dishes for your pet. * Painted Bowls especially bowls with painted designs and names may contain lead. This will be dangerous for your pet and can cause lead poisoning. * Toys that are painted may also contain lead and will be dangerous for your pet and can cause lead poisoning.   When you buy
plants there is usually a little stake in the dirt that
gives the basic instructions on taking care of. It will tell you how
often it needs to be watered and how much sunshine as well as how often
to fertilize.
It isn’t uncommon to need to transplant your new plant soon after you get it because it may be root bound. You can tell if it is because the roots may be growing through the drain holes in the bottom of the pot. Also if you hold the plant gently at the base of its stems where the dirt is and gently pull it out there will be (usually white) roots showing, sometimes almost covering the dirt. You will need a slightly larger pot ... about two inches wider and some potting soil. Put pebbles in the bottom of the new pot so they cover the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. This will allow the pot to drain if you should over water it and keep the dirt from spilling out the bottom too. Place potting soil in the bottom of the new pot about two or three inches deep. The dirt should be moist, if it isn’t pour water over it. It would be a good idea to do this outside or on newspaper spread either in the kitchen floor or on the counter. It can be messy and the water will drain out of the pot unless you have a saucer for it. Most of the time pots will come with these. Remove the plant, dirt and all, from the pot it came in, loosen the dirt and roots around the plant. When you do this you hear some tearing sounds. This won’t hurt the plant unless you are especially rough. The roots need to be loosened so they can grow and support the plant. Once you have done this put the plant in the center of the new pot. Pour potting soil around it, pressing down gently so the plant is firmly in the pot, keep adding dirt until the pot is filled. Water. Don’t hesitate to ask advice if you are buying the plant at a nursery or in the plant department of your home improvement store or discount department stores. For one thing you’ll find the supplies you need there: plants, pots, soil, fertilizer and information if the plant needs special care.  
 You can use
non-toxic “green” cleaners…the old fashioned way like
great-grand or great-great grandparents used. They are safe, effective
and inexpensive.
Refrigerators:  Refrigerators
should be cleaned on a regular basis. Wipe spills up
immediately so they don’t dry or harden and become more difficult to
clean up later or begin to mold and cause nasty odors.Placing an absorbent material to line your shelves will also help in controling runaway spills. Just be sure to replace this or clean this liner at least once a week to keep mold, mildew and odors from ruining your foods. Once a month make sure to check the seal around your refrigerator door and freezer door. This is the rubbery liner that helps give your refrigerator its airtight seal to keep foods cold and fresh. Check to be certain that it is not pulling free especially around the corners and at the top and bottom. If it is, then it needs to be fixed. Baking Soda and Vinegar Water: Baking
soda can be
used to clean the refrigerator and will scrub away
splatters and spills without scratching the surface. You can use
a small cleaning bucket half full of warm water, a sponge or cleaning
rag, baking soda and a few drops of liquid dish detergent in the water.
A few drops will do.
Put a little baking soda on your damp sponge and begin cleaning. A little extra baking soda now and then will help get rid of any dried spills. Rinse the sponge in the warm water now and then. After cleaning thoroughly with baking soda and soapy water solution (which should include washing the shelves, doors, trays and bins) rinse with clean water and 1 cup of vinegar. The vinegar will help disinfect as it kills germs, and bacteria. When finished and every thing has been rinsed and dried, place a small open box of baking soda in the refrigerator and freezer to absorb odors. Using a marking pen write the date on the side of the box when you put it in the refrigerator. It should be replaced every three months. Toss the old box of baking soda in the trash when you put in a new dated box. Don’t use this for anything else. The baking soda will have absorbs odors and fumes from foods in the refrigerator. Because it will not scratch surfaces, baking soda can be used to clean stoves including ovens, microwaves, counters, sinks, pots and pans, bathtubs and most anything you need an abrasive cleanser for. Bathtubs:  Rinse the tub with
a little water so that it is damp. You could
get down on your hands and knees and scrub the tub with baking soda, a
little dish detergent and a sponge or rag. This is painful on your back
and knees.Save your back and knees!!! Buy the cheapest plastic floor broom you can find. Check out one of those stores where everything is dollar. Be sure its plastic including the bristles. Use this to scrub your bathtub. Yes, a plastic broom! Dampen the tub and the broom. Turn the water off and sprinkle some liquid detergent and baking soda in the tub and start scrubbing. If a little more water is needed add sparingly as you don’t want to wash your cleaning compound down the drain. The baking soda will act as an abrasive and will get rid of the soap scum. The detergent will add a little sudsy action and break down the scum. When all sides, the rim and bottom are scrubbed, rinse well. You can also rinse with vinegar water to kill any germs and bacteria. Microwaves:  You can use
vinegar and water to clean the microwave. Place a
microwave safe bowl with ½ cup water and ½ cup distilled
vinegar in it inside the microwave for 1 to
1
½ minutes or until it is bubbling. Let it stand in
the microwave
without opening the door for about ten minutes. You should be able to
remove the bowl and wipe the walls of the microwave clean, including
the top and bottom. Remove the glass plate that sets on the turntable
and either wash by hand with liquid dish detergent, rinse and dry or
wash in the dishwasher. The plate only, not the turntable. If there are
spots difficult to clean put a little baking soda on a damp cloth and
scrub the area. It should come clean easily and will not scratch.No Fog Mirrors:  Clean
your
bathroom mirror well and apply a coat of the no-fog window
treatment used for car windows. This can be found in the automotive
department of your local department store or at an auto parts store.When the window is dry it will remain clean and clear the next time you take a hot shower. Pots and Pans:
 When
you have
burned food in a pot or pan empty out the burned food and
scrape out as much as possible with a wooden or plastic spoon or
spatula. This way you won’t scratch it.Fill the pot to about half full of water … or at least about an inch or two above the burned area. Add 3 or 4 Tablespoons of baking soda and but on a burner on the stove. Bring the pot to a boil and then reduce the heat to simmer or the lowest heat on the burner and simmer for 20 minutes. Don’t let the pot boil dry this will only worsen the problem. If need be, add a little more water if necessary. After 20 minutes turn the heat of and let the pot cool. Once the water and pot have cooled wash the pot with liquid dish detergent and a scouring sponge or plastic scouring pad. Scrubbing
Cleaner:
Make your
own scrubbing cleaser using vinegar, baking soda and dish detergent.
Mix together 1/2 cup baking soda, 2 tablespoons liquid dish
detergent. Add 1 teaspoon of distilled white vinegar at a time and mix well with
the other ingredients...add the vinegar until the mixture is thick but also creamy. If you
have added too much vinegar and the mixrure is not thick then add a
little baking soda and experiemnet until you achieve the thick and
creamy texture. Its your cleanser so you aren't going to mess it up.
Sinks:
 To clean the edges
around the sink and also around the faucets put a
small amount of baking powder in a small dish or in a pile on the
counter. Dip a wet old tooth brush into the powder and scrub until the
dirt and grim is gone. Add more baking soda as needed. Wipe up the
baking soda and grim with and warm water. When the area is completely
rid of the baking soda then wipe down again using vinegar water. Be
careful with the baking soda and vinegar as you can have a chemical
reaction.Pour a little baking soda into your sink and use it and a scrub brush or sponge to clean the sink. Rinse with the vinegar water and get all the residue off the sides of the sink. If its stainless steel and you don’t rinse well it will be gritty and white when the baking soda dries and will still look dirty. Stoves: After cleaning the stove using baking soda wipe down with warm water removing all baking soda residue and then rinse with vinegar water. Vinegar:
 Put vinegar in a
spray bottle and use this to spray down the counters
and cabinets and wipe down. Vinegar effectively kills mold, germs
and bacteria because it has a high acid level. The vinegar odor will
disappear in a few hours. Vinegar is an excellent multi-purpose house hold cleaner. For stubborn stains on counter tops such as coffee pour a small amount of vinegar on the spot and let stand for several hours or overnight and then scrub the area with that old toothbrush. If this does not work then wipe clean with a water dampened cloth. Repeat, making sure all the vinegar is removed. As a last resort: As
a last resort,
use diluted bleach. Put 1/4 cup bleach to a cup of
water in a spray bottle. Spray the surface that is stained and let
stand for a half hour and then wipe the area with paper towels or an
old clean rag until dry. After wiping up the area it can also be rinsed
with a damp wet cloth and then dried.
Be careful to use rubber gloves and not to get the solution on your clothing. Bleach can ruin clothes by bleaching the color out and in spots or even eating holes into it. However, it’s a good disinfectant. Avoid breathing in the fumes. They are not good for your lungs.   !!!! NEVER mix bleach and lemon juice !!!! NEVER mix bleach and ammonia. It can be deadly. Don’t take a chance. (see Hazardous Cleaning Agents)  Clothing Clothes, for work and special occasions that require you to dress up, should be clean and pressed and without rips and holes or frays or missing buttons. It is the style these days to have your jeans full of holes, rips and look like they have been drug through the dirt; shirts to be wrinkled and frayed at the seams and jackets to have that worn look. That is fine for casual events and knock-around everyday getting by. (see Appropriate Attire/Appearance)   Your clothing will last longer, no matter the quality, if taken care of. At this point in your life you may not be able to afford expensive clothes: $250 for a skirt or $1000 for a suit and so on. That is okay. No one needs to be checking out the labels in your clothes any way and if they do … they need a life! So, if you found a great dress or blouse for under $20, that is terrific and all the more reason to be concerned taking care of it and getting your money’s worth. The more care you take the longer your clothes will last no matter what the price. The main thing to remember is that your work clothes should be kept neat and clean and pressed. Check Care Labels: No
matter where
you purchase your clothing, be it your favorite thrift store, or
consignment shop or a high-end department store check the care labels
on all garments.
These tell you if the garment needs to be dry cleaned, machine or hand
washed.
Check Workmanship: Check the seams for completed stitches. No matter what your budget you don’t want to buy something falling apart before you get it on your back! On jackets, check the inside. If lined make sure the lining seams are in tact. This would apply to any lined clothing. Don’t buy anything that shows the stabilizing material which is a thin almost see through papery type of man made material. New clothing off the rack sometimes has this and can be seen when the clothing is inside out. It doesn’t matter how cute the clothing looks, it is of poor quality and workmanship and not even worth a penny of your hard earned money. Dry Cleaning:  If
on a limited
budget, dry cleaning may be an expense you
would rather do without until you can better afford it. However there
are some clothing items that should always to be dry cleaned. These
include:
Washing Sweaters:  *Some
wool sweaters
can be washed in a cold water detergent
formulated for washing woolens or lingerie either by hand or in the
washer set on a gentle or delicate cycle. Turn the sweater inside out
before washing. If you must go to the Laundromat to do your laundry
either wash the sweater by hand or take it to the dry cleaners. You
will most likely not be able to regulate the wash cycle at the
Laundromat. If you can, go for it.If washing by hand, turn the sweater inside out. Make sure the sink (or pan) you will use to wash in is clean and free from oils. Close the drain so the water will stay in the sink. Run cold water into the sink and pour a ½ capful of cold water detergent into the water. Using your hand make sure the water and detergent are mixed. Put in the sweater and let it soak for a few minutes. Then gently squeeze the water through the sweater repeating several times. Do not scrub. Then rinse the sweater in clean water by repeatedly squeezing the water through it. You need to keep rinsing with clean water until there are no suds. Gently squeeze the water out and roll it in a towel to get rid of excess water. Don’t twist or ring it out. Lay it out flat to dry either on another clean towel on top of the dryer or on a sweater rack if you have one. You can use this method with all sweaters. Things you will probably need:
Irons:  Invest in a good
iron which can
be used as both a dry iron and a steam
iron. However if a steam iron is over your budget and you can afford a
dry iron get that and a spray bottle you can put water in. It will work
just as well as a steam iron in most cases. In reality whether you have
a steam iron or not you’ll still need a spray bottle for water.
Sometimes you need to create more “steam” that the steam iron puts out!Ironing Board:  You will need an
ironing board and
you can fine this at a
department store or home improvement store. Look for one that will hang
on a door. This way you can hang it on the inside of a closet door as
long as there is room for you to open the door, lower the ironing board
and be able to use it without interference from any thing else. When
you are finished just raise it up, lock in place and close the door. If
you don’t have a closet door that is workable try the back of your
bedroom door. These boards are about $20.As close to the time after taking off the garment sprinke or rub into the underarm area, some white vinegar. The acid from the vinegar seems to react in favor of stain/order removal from the garment. You can let it dry and wash at a later time or wash immediately, it doesn't seem to matter which. Alternately you can add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle of your wash to remove yucky odors from the clothes. Another average household item you can try, especially on white clothing to remove underarm stains is regular Hydrogen Peroxide. Saturate the area with the stain and rub lightly with an old toothbrush. Allow to sit for a little while and then toss into the wash. Hydrogen peroxide also works well for blood stains too. Pressing Clothes: You will need a pressing cloth for pressing woolens. These are about $2 to $3. You can also use a ½ yard piece of muslin, white linen or white cotton which you can get in the fabric department of the variety store or a fabric store. Believe it or not some people use cloth diapers, clean ones of course! Do not use colored or patterned material or a fabric other than cotton, muslin or linen. Other fabrics may melt to your garment or what ever you are pressing. Colored and patterned material can bleed onto your garment as well. Then ii is ruined. When pressing woolens or a dress pair of slacks or dresses and other items you want to protect, lay the pressing cloth over the material you need to press. If using a dry iron, spray the pressing cloth with your spray bottle of water. Or set your iron on steam first making sure there is water in it. Now press your garment moving the pressing cloth from area to area of the clothing until the job is done. Using the pressing cloth will prevent the clothing material from getting a shiny sheen on it. You can also use the pressing cloth when pressing delicate fabrics that can melt or polyesters or anything you press. It will also help prevent materials from being scorched (burned). Pressing Velvet:  When
pressing velvet
always turn it inside out and only
press on the wrong side of the material not the velvet side. Place a
terry cloth towel on the ironing board. Lay the velvet on the towel so
that the velvet is facing the terry cloth because you are going to
press the wrong side of the material.Lay a pressing cloth on the wrong side of the material, use a steam iron and press. If you do not have a steam iron then using a spray bottle with water, spray the pressing cloth and press with a dry iron. Prolong the life of your clothes: Although you want to follow the care labels you can take extra steps to prolong the life of your garments. Wash in cold water even if directions say warm. This will also save on your utility bills and prolong the life of the colors in your clothes. Adding a cup of vinegar will also help the colors’ staying power. Instead of tumble drying slacks or skirts and polyester blends hang them to dry. This will avoid possible shrinkage and keep them from becoming limp. Hang them on hangers and air dry or if you have access to an out door clothes line, use that. Inside you can hang the clothes hangers on the shower rod or rest the hook of the hanger on the top of the door facing that is above the door. There is probably just enough space for the hook to rest. Most likely you will need to press these clothes lightly after they are dry to remove any wrinkles. You would probably need to press them even if you had put them in the dryer and then hung them on hangers. Remember that the tumbling in the dryer causes more wear and tear on the clothes. Drying Clothes:  To fold jeans and form a crease hold the pants by the bottom at the cuff, fold while still hot. Match up the inside leg seams, put the pant legs together … inside seam against inside seam … and then line up the outside seams still holding the inside seams in place. All four seams should be evenly lined up. Then fold and smooth out any wrinkles. There should be a crease when the material cools down. If you want a more defined one, press with the iron. You can use this method of folding no matter what kind of pants you dry. Hanging dress pants instead of folding may be better in the long run. There are fewer wrinkles to press out and less wear and tear. However, when pants/slacks are made with polyester blends or man-made fabrics it is always a good idea to hang them to dry. Fold them while wet as if you were folding for the crease and use skirt hangers or pant hangers. Either hang them from the cuff or the waist band. When hanging from the waist band: the zipper should be on one side of the hanger and the back seam on the other side in the clips. You can call department stores in your area and ask if they have extra skirt/pant hangers from clothing that has been sold. Many times you can have them for free because some stores throw them away. Also when you purchase a pair of slacks at a department store tell them you want the hanger and ask if they have extras. The worse thing they can say is “no”. Air drying your pants/slacks helps extend the life of the fabric and helps it maintain its stability. This applies to blouses and dresses too. After excessive drying, polyester can become limp and sloppy. Hang any clothes you always put on hangers as soon as you take them out of the dryer to prevent wrinkles. This also helps wrinkles to “fall out” of the clothing. You may still need to do a little pressing for a presentable look at work. After drying anything, fold them as soon as they are dry and while they are still warm. This includes towels, knits, tee shirts, socks, underwear etcetera. This will help keep the wrinkles at a minimum. It is harder to get wrinkles out when the fabric is cold. One way to get rid of wrinkles:  If your cloths
have gotten cold in
the dryer and there are a lot of
wrinkles try putting a clean wet wash cloth in the dryer with the
cloths and
running the dryer for about ten minuets. The “steam” inside the dryer
which is caused by the wet cloth will help get rid of wrinkles. After
ten minutes, check the clothes. If the wrinkles have decreased but not
enough, get the cloth out, wet it more and then put it back in the
dryer for another ten minuets. Stop the dryer, get the cloth out and
then remove the clothes and fold or hang. If the wrinkles are still
there, and the clothes are for work or a dressy occasion, iron.Spot Removers:  Rub or spray spot
remover on the
stain on your clothing or
other materials, perhaps a table cloth. Let it sit for about a half
hour before washing.
There are some spot removers that can be put on the stain and left
several days until you have time to do the laundry. You can get these
removers in the detergent aisle where you buy groceries.Buttons:  Every now and then, check all buttons on your clothing. It can be a problem when planning to wear an outfit only to realize you have lost a button when you are ready to put it on. When checking the buttons, make sure they are not loose or missing threads. If so, the buttons need to be reinforced before they are lost. You will need a needle, thread to match the color of thread the buttons have been sewn on with. Use a piece of thread about 24 inches long. Thread the needle and then double the thread tying the two ends together in a knot. Insert the needle through the material behind the button into one of the button holes and then put the needle through the other button hole from the front of the button and repeating, sewing through the hole into the material and back. Do this until the threads holding the button on are as thick as more stable button on the garment … once or twice won’t hold it on. Some buttons have four holes so do sew through all four holes. You could take the clothes to a seamstress but this might be very costly. There are many books available on the subject of sewing at the book store or library. Making Repairs:  For small rips and tears you can buy iron-on patch material in a color close to the color of the fabric that is torn. Iron-on patch material usually comes in a package of several colors such as black, blue, red, white, brown and other combinations. One side has adhesive on it and this is activated by the heat from the iron. Iron-on patches can be found at a fabric store, variety store or in the aisle of the grocery store that usually displays useful household items. Usually there is a display of sewing necessities such as straight pins, thread, needles, and scissors etcetera. To find it quickly ask a store clerk where to find the sewing section. Follow the directions on the package. But, basically, turn the clothing inside out and find the hole, rip or tear. Cut a piece of the patch material that most closely matches the color of the cloth you want to repair. The patch should only be about ¼ inch to ½ inch larger in width and length or diameter than the tear or hole. Lay the garment on the ironing board and set the temperature of your iron on high. Make sure you have turned the garment inside out and that you are putting the patch on that side of the material(the “wrong” side) not the side that will be seen when you wear it. Smooth the torn material to make sure the edges are as close together as possible without overlapping the edges. You might even press it, by putting the hot iron on the material but do not move the iron back and forth as this can move the edges. Don’t leave the iron on it, just press. Lay the patch, centered over the tear with the shiny side down, this is the side with the adhesive. So, the shiny side should be against the fabric and centered over the tear so that there is ¼ to ½ inch of the patch beyond the tear. Set the hot iron on the patch. Hold it firmly. Do not move the iron, you could displace the patch. Do this for about 30 seconds or the time recommended in the patch instructions. Check to see is the patch has adhered to the material of the garment. If not, try a little more heat. Unless you work in a garage, with animals or wear an apron or lab coat that would cover the patched area you do not want to wear clothes that have obviously been patched to work. Its OK in case you do work in a garage or with animals and so on, but you still want to be presentable, clean and pressed when you go to work. Hems:  If the hem is
coming out of a pant
cuff or skirt or jacket
and you do not have access to a needle and thread use tape until you
can get home to repair it.Double sided iron-on hemming tape is available in the sewing sections at discount department stores and fabric stores. When you get home you can use this to repair a hem without having to hand stitch it. In an absolute emergency use a safety pin to repair a hem or substitute for a lost button, being careful the pin doesn’t show, Hose:  When you have a
snag, prick or a
run starting in your hose
use clear nail polish to stop it.Say you are at work and suddenly you realize a run is starting. Quickly brush clear nail polish where the run is starting. Do this while you have the hose on…taking them off can make the run worse. Let it dry. This will prevent the run from progressing. Hopefully it is not in a spot that can be easily seen. 
The coffee pot or coffee maker should be cleaned at least once a month. There are commercial cleaners on the market and they can be found where coffee makers are sold … department stores in house wares. Sometimes in the coffee aisle at the grocery store. Just follow the directions carefully and to be safe run clear water through an extra time. If the instructions say run clear water twice after the cleaner has been used, do so a third time just to be sure it has been rinsed thoroughly. Vinegar is excellent for cleaning coffee pots. Use 4 to 6 cups of water with ½ cup of vinegar. Brew and empty out the vinegar water once it has run through the pot. Brew another pot 4 to 6 cups of clear fresh water to rinse. If you have a four cup pot use 3 cups of water and ½ cup vinegar. |
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