Consumer Watch: What items you should have in your house

Paying
Paying
photo Ellen Phillips photo for ConsumerWatch column that runs every Sunday - Please use this photo from now on

As readers know, one of my consumer pals and a great resource is Mary Hunt, author of Everyday Cheapskate.

A regular column feature that I thoroughly enjoy and often utilize in my own life is product reinvention and their various uses. Here's a few to put to good use this summer and beyond.

- Orajel, while great to soothe toothache discomfort, also can be used for other numbing issues. Insect stings, such as bee or wasp, are instantly numbed following application as are the pain and itch of "regular" insect bites and rashes caused by poison ivy.

Burn pain, whether sunburn, stove or otherwise, can be immediately relieved by gently applying Orajel. Even removing splinters or cutting ingrown toenails becomes much easier - particularly with small children - by rubbing Orajel over and around the affected area. By numbing the tissue, removing the splinter or working on the nail becomes much more comfortable.

- Dawn dishwashing detergent is truly a miracle cleaner. One of Mary's ideas is to keep a small bucket on hand in the bathroom, filled with a bottle of Dawn, an automotive detailing brush and an old toothbrush. After showering, clean the space to cut out soap scum with no gritty residue.

Okay, so Dawn is a great cleanser, but for hair? Yep. Once a month, shampoo with a small amount of Dawn to get rid of all hair product buildup.

Plus, it's perfect when your kids get into something really greasy; even Vaseline comes out with a Dawn shampoo.

How about pets? Not only is it a cheaper alternative to dog shampoo, it also kills fleas on contact.

And speaking of pests, if ants pose a problem, spray countertops, baseboards, or wherever with a solution of water and Dawn; wipe dry and don't worry about kids or pets.

A reusable ice pack can be frozen multiple times and always conforms to the place you need to ice. Partially fill a strong zip-closure plastic bag with Dawn, then close and freeze. It'll stay cold much longer than just water.

- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is the best invention since ice cream, in my opinion (well, almost ). It looks like a sponge but with just a dab of water, it transforms into a cleaning machine.

Fingerprint smudges on walls, scuff marks on floors, adhesive residue, cooked-on stains in pots/pans, magic marker and ballpoint pen ink from virtually any surface - you name it, and it does the cleansing "magic" trick, including removing coffee and tea stains that remain inside mugs, cups, and carafes even after repeated washings.

To keep one eraser longer, cut it in half or even into four equal-size pieces. Mist it lightly with water rather than saturating; scrub lightly and wipe with a damp towel.

The eraser (or piece) can be sprayed over and over to revive it for more use and, when it begins to shred, just toss.

For umpteen more ways to make use of this fantastic tool, visit everydayhelpsforeverydaypeople.com.

- Dryer sheets are also a wonderful invention for things other than keeping clothes static-free and fresh-smelling in the dryer. Bothered by bugs? Tuck some unused sheets under lawn furniture to repel bees or rub them directly on your body to discourage pests.

And speaking of critters, summertime really sees lots of smooshed bug guts on windshields and headlights. Wet your car and wipe with a dryer sheet to easily get rid of the carcasses and other unmentionables.

Lightly wet a used sheet and scrub the shower to remove soap buildup and mineral deposits. Whether our own or that of a pet, hair clings. To remove it from furniture or the bathroom sink, wipe with a sheet.

For those with stinky feet, just toss a sheet into the toes of your shoes to minimize the problem.

To save latex paint brushes for future, use with little elbow grease, soak them in warm water with a dryer sheet. Voila!

Stay tuned to next week's column for more innovative uses with everyday products.

Contact Ellen Phillips at consumerwatch@timesfreepress.com.

Upcoming Events