With all of the snow and ice hitting many of my friends (but not us - all we have is cold, cold rain), I figured this little tip would be a good one to share:
Instead of treating your icy walk with salt, which can kill the grass, mix 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid with 1/2 gallon of warm water and pour it over your steps and sidewalk. The dishwashing liquid helps prevent the ice from re-freezing. To make the ice melt faster, add a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol (or add beer, but really - who wants to waste beer?) to the mixture.
You can also use dishwashing liquid to make a home-made gel ice pack by pouring a small bottle of dishwashing liquid into a Ziploc bag (I would double-bag it) and putting it in the freezer. The dishwashing liquid does not freeze solid. Of course, it may be just as easy to go out and buy a gel ice pack.
Showing posts with label First Aid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label First Aid. Show all posts
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Monday, December 3, 2007
Remedy: Poison Ivy - 3 Remedies That Work
Most people are allergic to Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac. This allergy can come and go without warning, so keep the following remedies in mind the next time you have an outbreak.
If you know you've come in contact with one of the poisonous plants, rinse immediately with cold water for at least 15 minutes. If you don't know when you came into contact with it or can't stand rinsing with cold water, take a cool (as cool as you can stand it) shower with Dawn dishwashing liquid. Taking a warm shower opens the pores, therefore allowing the urushiol to penetrate the skin more readily. Note: If it's been more than 30 minutes, some of the urushiol will have already absorbed into the skin, so rinsing/washing may not prevent it.
Here are 3 remedies to help relieve the itching and clear it up as quickly as possible if the rash has already developed:
If you know you've come in contact with one of the poisonous plants, rinse immediately with cold water for at least 15 minutes. If you don't know when you came into contact with it or can't stand rinsing with cold water, take a cool (as cool as you can stand it) shower with Dawn dishwashing liquid. Taking a warm shower opens the pores, therefore allowing the urushiol to penetrate the skin more readily. Note: If it's been more than 30 minutes, some of the urushiol will have already absorbed into the skin, so rinsing/washing may not prevent it.
Here are 3 remedies to help relieve the itching and clear it up as quickly as possible if the rash has already developed:
- Hot, hot water: To stop the itching for several hours, soak the affected area in as hot of water as you can stand. This will cause the cells to release histamine at a faster rate, therefore the initial reaction to the heat is itchiness. Gradually increase the temperature until the itching stops. Once the itching has subsided, the cells will be depleted of histamine. The itching should not return for several hours. If you have open blisters, you may cover the area with sterile gauze to help prevent infection. You may repeat this process every time the itching starts again.
- Bleach: Make a solution of 1 part bleach to 1 part warm water. With a cotton ball, apply the solution liberally to the affected area and let dry. The affected area will likely sting during and after application, however this remedy has been known to clear up the outbreak within two days. May be used immediately following the hot water soak.
- Baking Soda and Epsom Salts: Baking soda helps draw toxins out as well as soothes irritated skin, and Epsom salts draw toxins from the skin. Either take a warm bath with 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of Epsom salts or make a solution of 1 part baking soda and 1 part Epsom salts to 4 parts hot water and apply liberally with a cotton ball. Another option is to soak gauze in this solution and apply the wet compress to the affected areas for 15 minutes. One other option for the baking soda is to make a baking soda paste and apply it to the skin.
On a side note, if you have an outbreak but cannot pinpoint where you came in contact with poison ivy, give your pets a bath! Many people come in contact with the poison ivy oils from their pet's fur. Also remember to wash all linens often until the rash is gone.
Friday, October 5, 2007
A Dozen (or more) Uses for Lemons
Lemon is an amazing fruit that is not only nutritious and delicious but also has a plethra of uses around the home! Here are a dozen or so tricks to try (in no particular order):
1) Freshen your refrigerator: Place half of a lemon on a saucer and set it in the back of your fridge for a day. The lemon will absorb the odors in your fridge while putting off a fresh clean scent.
2) Microwave Cleaner: Take half of a lemon, place it in a microwave safe bowl, and cover it with water (or use 4 tbsp of lemon juice to one cup of water). Place the bowl in the microwave oven and microwave it for 5 minutes. Carefully remove the bowl as it will be HOT! Wipe the inside of the microwave with a damp sponge, cloth, or paper towel. All food splatters should wipe off easily from the inside walls.
3) Soothing Sunburns: Mix one part lemon juice with one part water* in a bowl, jar, or bottle. Apply the solution liberally with a cotton ball using a gentle dabbing motion. The solution acts as an astringent, relieving the pain and heat. Abstain from direct sunlight after applying this solution.
*One part means one of whatever form of measurement you want to use - cup, tablespoon, ounce, milliliter.
4) Eliminate Lime Scale and Hard Water Deposits: Rub the lime scale with half of a lemon (peel side up), and the lime scale should come off easily. If a little more scrubbing power is desired, sprinkle the meaty side of the lemon half with salt before rubbing. For glass shower doors, apply lemon juice with a clean sponge, then dry with newspaper.
5) Brighten and Whiten Fingernails: If your fingernails have turned yellow and brittle from repeated manicures and polish, soak your nails in lemon juice for 10 minutes, then dip them in a mixture of one part vinegar to one part water. This should whiten, brighten, and strengthen your fingernails.
6) Blackhead Removal, Pimple Relief, and Blemish Reduction: Before turning in for the night, gently dab lemon juice on your face with a cotton ball or cotton pad. In the morning, wash your face with cool water, and the blackheads should be diminished if not gone completely (it may take several days of using this method for some to disappear). To eliminate pimples, dab with lemon juice several times a day until the pimple is gone, usually in only 24 hours if you can refrain from picking at it. For blemish reduction, make a mixture of 2 parts lemon juice to one part honey and apply to face. Honey has natural astringent properties as well as moisturizing.
7) Relieve Bloating and Sluggishness: Before breakfast, mix one teaspoon of lemon juice, one teaspoon of honey, and one cup of warm water. Drink. This helps kick-start your body's elimination processes.
8) Remove Smells and Stains from Hands: Rub hands with lemon juice or a piece of lemon to remove smells such as garlic, onion, or fish, or stains from berries and fruits. Rinse with water and the smells and stains should be gone.
9) Stop Bleeding and Disinfect Minor Wounds: Apply lemon juice, either directly or with a cotton ball, to the wound and the bleeding should stop (this is not to be used for puncture wounds). For canker sores or other sores in the mouth, either dab with lemon juice or gargle and swish with a solution of one part lemon juice to one part water.
10) Brighten Whites Without Bleach: Add 1/2 cup of lemon juice along with your normal detergent and wash as normal. This is especially great for cloth baby diapers because the lemon juice also acts as a disinfectant. Hang to dry in the sun for ultimate whitening and disinfecting.
11) Clean and Sanitize a Dishwasher: After removing all dishes, add 1/4 cup of lemon juice to the soap dispenser and run the dishwasher through a normal cycle. This will also help remove the mineral deposits that can make spots on your dishes.
12) Furniture Polish for Hardwood Furniture: Mix one part lemon juice to 2 parts olive oil. Apply a small amount at a time to the furniture surface and buff with a soft, lint-free cloth (like an old t-shirt).
1) Freshen your refrigerator: Place half of a lemon on a saucer and set it in the back of your fridge for a day. The lemon will absorb the odors in your fridge while putting off a fresh clean scent.
2) Microwave Cleaner: Take half of a lemon, place it in a microwave safe bowl, and cover it with water (or use 4 tbsp of lemon juice to one cup of water). Place the bowl in the microwave oven and microwave it for 5 minutes. Carefully remove the bowl as it will be HOT! Wipe the inside of the microwave with a damp sponge, cloth, or paper towel. All food splatters should wipe off easily from the inside walls.
3) Soothing Sunburns: Mix one part lemon juice with one part water* in a bowl, jar, or bottle. Apply the solution liberally with a cotton ball using a gentle dabbing motion. The solution acts as an astringent, relieving the pain and heat. Abstain from direct sunlight after applying this solution.
*One part means one of whatever form of measurement you want to use - cup, tablespoon, ounce, milliliter.
4) Eliminate Lime Scale and Hard Water Deposits: Rub the lime scale with half of a lemon (peel side up), and the lime scale should come off easily. If a little more scrubbing power is desired, sprinkle the meaty side of the lemon half with salt before rubbing. For glass shower doors, apply lemon juice with a clean sponge, then dry with newspaper.
5) Brighten and Whiten Fingernails: If your fingernails have turned yellow and brittle from repeated manicures and polish, soak your nails in lemon juice for 10 minutes, then dip them in a mixture of one part vinegar to one part water. This should whiten, brighten, and strengthen your fingernails.
6) Blackhead Removal, Pimple Relief, and Blemish Reduction: Before turning in for the night, gently dab lemon juice on your face with a cotton ball or cotton pad. In the morning, wash your face with cool water, and the blackheads should be diminished if not gone completely (it may take several days of using this method for some to disappear). To eliminate pimples, dab with lemon juice several times a day until the pimple is gone, usually in only 24 hours if you can refrain from picking at it. For blemish reduction, make a mixture of 2 parts lemon juice to one part honey and apply to face. Honey has natural astringent properties as well as moisturizing.
7) Relieve Bloating and Sluggishness: Before breakfast, mix one teaspoon of lemon juice, one teaspoon of honey, and one cup of warm water. Drink. This helps kick-start your body's elimination processes.
8) Remove Smells and Stains from Hands: Rub hands with lemon juice or a piece of lemon to remove smells such as garlic, onion, or fish, or stains from berries and fruits. Rinse with water and the smells and stains should be gone.
9) Stop Bleeding and Disinfect Minor Wounds: Apply lemon juice, either directly or with a cotton ball, to the wound and the bleeding should stop (this is not to be used for puncture wounds). For canker sores or other sores in the mouth, either dab with lemon juice or gargle and swish with a solution of one part lemon juice to one part water.
10) Brighten Whites Without Bleach: Add 1/2 cup of lemon juice along with your normal detergent and wash as normal. This is especially great for cloth baby diapers because the lemon juice also acts as a disinfectant. Hang to dry in the sun for ultimate whitening and disinfecting.
11) Clean and Sanitize a Dishwasher: After removing all dishes, add 1/4 cup of lemon juice to the soap dispenser and run the dishwasher through a normal cycle. This will also help remove the mineral deposits that can make spots on your dishes.
12) Furniture Polish for Hardwood Furniture: Mix one part lemon juice to 2 parts olive oil. Apply a small amount at a time to the furniture surface and buff with a soft, lint-free cloth (like an old t-shirt).
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