Now Here’s A Tip – Aug. 21, 2018

#Middlebury

• Getting ready to go back to school? Remember: Kids’ backpacks should weigh no more than 20 percent of their body weight, and the child should properly use both shoulder straps for the best fit and least stress on the back.
• What’s the best way to get a bloodstain out of clothing? Douse the stain with hydrogen peroxide and then wash as usual.
• Recipe substitutions: If you need 1 teaspoon of baking powder, use 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda plus 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar.
• To get outdoor cushions clean before storage, mix warm water, 1 tablespoon of borax and 1 teaspoon of sudsy dish soap in a bucket. Use to scrub your cushions, then rinse with a sprayer hose and allow to dry. We do this at the start of the season as well.
• PSA: It’s still hurricane season. Be prepared by grabbing a few extra canned goods or a gallon of water on each trip to the grocery. It beats the rush when a tropical storm is on its way.
• “The refuse containers that our city provides for street pickup are huge. Their size doesn’t stop them from getting stinky like the old smaller ones, but they are harder to clean – you’d almost have to crawl in there to get the gunk off the bottom. The kids ingeniously decided to use an old broom to clean the bins, coupled with a blast of water on the jet setting.” – C.C. in Florida

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