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Household RemediesFood Tips * Fabric/Stains * Do It Yourself * Misc * Insects

HOUSEHOLD REMEDIES
 
Vinegar Uses
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar to an 8 ounce glass of warm water for a sore throat. Gargle every hour and swallow after gargling, with two mouthfuls.
  • Take equal amounts of honey and cider vinegar, stir or shake until dissolved. Take a tablespoon at a time to cut mucous in the throat.
    Use for a throat soother.
  • Use vinegar as an antiseptic for abrasions, to reduce itch from poison ivy or mosquito bites, and even to help rehydrate sunburned skin.
  • 1 tsp cider vinegar with one tsp honey taken three times daily helps with arthritis. It dissolves the crystal deposits of uric acid that form between joints (and also in muscles as with muscular rheumatism). Also dissolves osteophytes (bony spurs) over long periods. 

From a reader: After years of suffering from athlete's foot, consulting doctors, and spending hundreds of dollars on so called cures (some prescription, some over the counter), I read in one of the magazines in which I subscribe to try soaking in vinegar. Something was said about it changing skin ph so that the fungus could not grow. I soaked three evenings in a row. Now, no more fungus and that has been several months ago. Medicine for toe nail fungus can be very costly, but you can use one part vinegar to one part warm water and soak your feet. 

Another reader writes: My daughter had toe nail fungus, causing the nail to grow up instead of out, like it should. I started putting a few drops of white vinegar on it several times a day. To my amazement, her nail is almost normal again! Try this one, for those who have the above problem, it really works!

Use 2 cups of cider vinegar in the tub to soak sore muscles and add potassium to muscles. 


And this one: A nurse told me molds grow in humidifiers used in sick rooms. After a couple of days' use, she rinsed out a humidifier, then refilled it, adding maybe 1/4 cup vinegar. She would run this for a couple of minutes in the bathroom, with the door closed and the window open, to kill the molds. Then she'd rinse it, run it again with just clear water, rinse that, and declare it fit for service again. She was also adamant about not just pouring more water in to refill, but rinsed the reservoir out each time to retard growth of nasty stuff she didn't want spraying all around the sick room. 

Quite often muscle cramps, or 'charlie horse', are caused by too low a level of potassium.  When suffering from a muscle cramp, take a tsp. of vinegar to quickly bring my potassium level back up and relieve the cramp. 

A teaspoon of vinegar relieves hiccups more effectively than anything else, including lemon juice or sugar... 

Another reader writes: I've found that gargling with cider vinegar will stop the most horrible case of hiccups!

I find mixing 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey in 8 oz of warm water and drinking before I go to bed has helped eliminate those awful night leg cramps 

When the weather changes and the sinus start running I get that nagging cough, I simply take 2 tablespoons of any kind of vinegar and that nasty cough stops. 

Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with one cup of honey and store this mixture in an air-tight container. Anytime you have trouble drifting off, take two teaspoons of this mixture and you'll drift off in less than a half hour. And you won't be groggy in the morning like over-the-counter sleep aids. 

Sunburn Remedy: 

At bedtime, cover sunburns with a towel soaked in water and vinegar and try to persuade the victim to sleep this way. Younger ones, of course, will have a struggle with this, especially because of the smell! 
Put vinegar in a spray bottle and spray on sunburn. It soothes for quite a length of time. Just like store bought stuff. 

Vinegar will take the sting out of a sunburn - just soak a paper towel and apply to burn. Smells bad but, hey, if you're in pain, who cares? 

To relieve swelling and fluid from too much sun, mix a paste of baking soda and apple cider vinegar and apply. This reader says it will draw out the fluid. 

More reader tips

I met a girl who was told by her doctor to sit in the sun (she had some sort of skin problem). She was to use diluted red wine vinegar to keep from burning. She was out in the sun everyday of the summer and had a nice tan. (You have to understand that she lived in Phila. PA and I was visiting from FL). 

When I went on a trip to the Keys to spend a lot of time on the water, I used a spray bottle filled with undiluted red wine vinegar. I had my friend spray my back occasionally while spraying the front more frequently. My back did get somewhat burned, but from head to toes the front of me was nicely tanned. (I did look really red from the vinegar, but after showering...ta da...tan) I'm not sure, but using the red wine vinegar has seemed to help me tan faster. 

I used this on my son when his legs were sunburned. I used half and half which was half water and half vinegar. I saturated tea towels in it and layered them on his legs and he said it didn't smell too good but it sure took out the burning. You must do this several times but it works and then it gives you a nice tan. 

I hate to wear gloves when gardening (except, of course when working with roses, blackberries or thistles) and once in a while I get a nick or scratch. Since I shoveled most of it INTO my garden, I know what my hands are in, and I'm 120 yards downhill from the bathroom sink and the disinfectant! My trusty spray bottle of full strength white vinegar to the rescue. Stings for a second or two until the endorphins kick in, but I don't have to stop what I'm doing and make a special trip back up hill. I've NEVER had an infection in a scratch since I discovered this trick. 

Homemade anti-wrinkle cream for reducing, removing wrinkles

Apply coconut oil on the portions of skin and face where wrinkles set in and gently massage every night at bedtime.

Banana is wonderful as an anti-wrinkle treatment. Mash 1/4 banana until very creamy. Spread all over face and leave for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water followed by a dash of cold. Gently pat dry.
Cornstarch for Insect Bites - Mix water with cornstarch into a paste and apply over the itchy area. This is effective in drawing out the poisons of most insect bites...and is also an effective remedy for diaper rash as well. 
FOOD TIPS
Shopping Tips:
  • You don't always have to use coupons... You can save money when shopping for food by planning a little and watching the sales. Buy one get one free deals and certain seasonal sales can save you money without using coupons...
  • Most items in bulk quantity are usually cheaper, but... If you have no need for large quantities and end up throwing things away, you haven't saved anything and in fact, spend more.  When shopping in these types of stores, make sure you really have need for the "great deals" and then it will be worth it...
  • By watching the sales, you'll find that name brand items usually cost the same as the generic or store brand items. Add to that, a coupon and you're saving even more buying the name brand...
  • You don't always save a lot of money by shopping various stores with sales on items you buy...Is your time worth money? Do you get free gas for your car?  In other words, finding the store that has the most sale items that you will be buying is the best one to stay at. You'll save time and money in the end...
  • You'd be surprised if you checked the cost per ounce or pound
    on big and small packages and compared. Sometimes, the smaller
    package actually is a better deal and buying two of the smaller
    item will save you money...
  • You have to be smart on 'buy one-get one free' sales. Check the regular price of the purchase item and see if the price is higher to compensate for the freebie they are going to "give" you.   Sometimes, the free item isn't such a good deal. Also, if you really have no need for two of an item, you chance wasting money by again, having to throw away something you ended up not needing or using, just because it was 'free'.
When making soup stock (as all good frugal-ites do), squirt in a tablespoon of white vinegar, to help leach (extract) all the calcium from the bones being used. There's no vinegar taste, and most of us can certainly use the additional calcium. 
Kitchen wrap, or "cling wrap" is a great invention, until you try to grab some and it sticks to everything and drives you nuts. If you store the box of saran wrap in the fridge, it will be much easier to work with after slicing off a sheet....
When lighting candles on a birthday cake. Instead of lighting match after match, or using one of the candles and getting melted wax all over the cake, use a piece of uncooked spaghetti....Light one end and use it as a long match!
If you need sour cream and don't have time to go buy it, you can make an easy substitute. Add 4 drops of lemon juice to one cup of whipped cream. Let sit for 30 minutes and voila! a great sour cream substitute...
For those who have little ones, wash and reuse the plastic containers that fruit such as Gerbers 4-pack Stage 2 & 3 come packaged in. The resealable lids make them great for snacks later like cereal, etc. when the kids are out and about or in the stroller. You won't have to waste money buying small containers and you won't feel bad if they are lost or you end up throwing them away. 
Save and rinse the plastic bags from your cereal boxes to use for convenient and cost free freezer wrap. Works especially well for meats. Waste not--want not. 
Use squeeze margarine containers to freeze water and juice in. Then uses them to chill a picnic cooler. As the drinks melt, they can be consumed. 
If you have leftover scalloped potatoes, use them as a base for cream soups. 
Onions
Keep onions whole when cooking them by cutting a small cross, one-quarter inch deep, in the stem end.
Once an onion has been cut in half, rub the leftover cut side with butter and it will keep fresh longer.
To make onions less strong, slice and separate them into rings, then soak them in cold water for one hour. (*Mild onions are great for salads.)Peel fresh white onions easily by plunging them into boiling water for two minutes.

SHED FEWER TEARS:
Cut the root end of the onion off last.
Refrigerate onions before chopping.
Peel them under cold, running water.
Rinse hands frequently under cold water while chopping
Keep your mouth tightly closed when chopping.
Chop with the exhaust fan operating.
Get someone else to cut the onions. 

Freshening dry and hard lemons is effortless by placing them in a hot oven for a few minutes. 
Disposable water bottles make great dispensers for salad dressings, oils and sauces
Perfect Rice Every Time: 
To cook rice in the microwave place 2 cups of rice and 4 cups of boiling water in a microwave container and zap on high for 12 minutes. The rice is beautiful - no smells in the kitchen, no water boiling over on the stove.
Having a dinner party and want to keep dinner rolls warm? Heat an oven safe metal or stone trivet in the oven for a few minutes before dinner. Wrap the trivet in a cloth napkin and place on the bottom of the serving dish or basket you plan to serve the rolls in. The rolls will be nice and warm!  A ceramic tile can also be used.... 
If you are not going to use leftovers within 4 days be sure to freeze them within 2 hours of cooking. Gravy and stuffing should be used within 2 days. 
Freeze leftover coffee or tea in cubes and use when making iced coffee or tea -- your beverage won't get as watered down. 
Before putting your veggies in the crisper drawer of your fridge, place a few sheets of paper towel at the bottom of the drawer. The paper towels absorb moisture which causes
veggies to go limp... 
FABRIC AND STAINS
If you have gum stuck on a shoe or clothing, place the item that has the gum on it in the freezer. When the gum is frozen, it can be dislodged easily. IF there's gum on your floor or carpet, freeze the area with an ice pack and scrape the gum off when it's frozen.....
Suede shoes and clothing will keep their good looks for a long time if you follow two easy steps. First, brush the suede with a stiff brush to remove dust, dirt, and salt, if on shoes. Get a waterproof spray that is made for suede and spray the item, let dry, then give it a second coat. This will repel
moisture and help keep the suede looking its best. You will need to reapply the waterproofing if the suede gets wet...
Washing Blankets and Bed Sheets ... Add a sprinkling of your favorite bath oils to the 
rinse cycle of the wash. Your bedding will be soft and sweet smelling for a very pleasant nights sleep. 
Removing Red Wine Stain ...
Saturate a cloth or sponge with hydrogen peroxide and blot the stain. If the stain is in carpet do not saturate the actual carpet just use a cloth or sponge that has hydrogen peroxide applied to it. 

Fabric loses its softness over time because of the fibers becoming saturated with soap and detergent residue. Fabric softeners give a nice scent, but actually can cause part of the problem over time. A very simple cure for this is to use plain vinegar instead of fabric softener. The vinegar will also reduce static cling and neutralize odors that may be in the laundry items. The smell of the vinegar will not stay in the material. Pour one cup of vinegar in the final rinse of the wash cycle....

Tar on clothing...Place an absorbent piece of material on top of the stain. Apply eucalyptus oil, mineral spirits or turpentine a from below the 
stain with a cotton ball. Launder according to labels directions.

Tar on shoes... Lighter fluid will remove tar from shoes, but make sure the shoes are color-safe...

Tar on skin...Baby oil generously rubbed on the skin, then wiped off will remove tar. Kerosene, lighter fluid will also work, but be very careful
when using these items...
Tar on carpets... Blot up as much as you can, don't rub. Loosen the tar with a liquid lighter fluid or apply a solution of equal parts warm water and glycerin. Leave on one hour then spot clean with a commercial carpet cleaner... 
Keeping Your House Smelling Fresh: 
Spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in each room when the light is turned on. 
Many of you might not be aware of a solution to odors on the hands from cooking, such as fish, onion, and garlic smells etc.  Stainless steel is known to remove odors from hands by simply rubbing the hands on the stainless-steel under running water.

I admit, I don't know why it works, but it does. 

There are special stainless-steel discs that are sold to remove odors.  Save your self the money and use a stainless-steel spoon, or anything else stainless-steel and hold it under running water while rubbing your hands with the item. No more odor!

DO IT YOURSELF/AROUND THE HOUSE
 
Alka Seltzer uses
  • Toilets...Drop 2 Alka Seltzer tablets in the toilet. Wait 20 minutes, then brush and flush.
  • Vases...To clean a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in 2 Alka Seltzer tablets. Leave a few minutes and "swish" around...
  • Jewelry...Drop 2 tablets into a glass or bowl of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes. Wipe dry with a soft cloth...
  • Thermos bottles...Fill the bottle with water, drop in 4 Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour. Rinse afterwards...
  • Unclog drains...Drop 3 Alka seltzer tablets down the drain and follow with a cup of white vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water full force down the drain...
Paintbrushes:  If your paintbrushes "harden", place them in hot vinegar, then wash in warm soap suds. This will soften them right up...

To keep those paintbrushes soft and pliable, add fabric softener to the final rinse. Use 1/2 cap of softener to a bucket of water...
If you walk into a room, and it looks a little more colorful than the last time you were in it, grab a can of WD-40 lubricant and lightly spray over the crayons on the wall. Wipe off with a soft cloth. Dishwashing soap will remove the residue from the WD-40....
Scratches on compact disks...Here are a few tips...
  • Buff the scratched disk with Chapstick. Wipe gently with a soft cloth. In more cases than not, the skipping that occurs from the scratches will stop...
  • Rub a thin layer of white, (not gel) toothpaste over the disk and wipe gently with a soft cloth...
  • Apply Turtle Wax (car wax) to the disk, let dry and then wipe it clean with a soft cloth...
If you have screws in a pair of eyeglasses that always seem to loosen, apply clear nail polish over the screw the next time you need to tighten them. This will seal the screw in the glasses and prevent the screws from coming loose...
If you have a build-up of soap scum on your shower doors or bath enclosures, apply mineral oil to a rag and wipe.  The soap scum will come right off. Dry with a soft cloth and you will find you have to clean the doors less often...

If your bathroom caulking has mold or mildew and it's hard to get clean, Dampen a paper towel with bleach and mold it to the caulking. Leave it for 30 minutes. When you remove the paper towel, the caulking should be bright white....
If you have a table and chair set for children and worry that the chairs will scratch the floor or the chairs make too much noise when kids move them back and forth, cut a slit in the tennis balls and secure them on the chair leg.  Don't make the slit too big or they will fall off when the chair slides. This will cushion the chair leg and prevent scratching and noise.....
If you have a tiny nail that needs to be hammered and are worried about smashing your fingers, place the nail in between the teeth of a comb to hold in place while you hammer it in...
If you have small stainless steel items, soak them in warm water and then rub with lemon juice or vinegar before rinsing them well...

To clean and polish stainless steel, dampen a cloth with white or cider vinegar and wipe clean. This will also remove heat stains on stainless steel cutlery... 

Stainless steel worktops and sinks can have streaks on them 
after cleaning and can be removed by rubbing a little baby oil or olive oil on them...

If you have a heat stain on a stainless cooktop, rub it with a cloth dampened in club soda...

With all the household cleaners that claim to disinfect and
kill germs, some of them actually don't and pine oil cleaners
which used to be thought of as the best germ cleaner, can
actually help create "super germs" that aren't killed by this
type of cleaner. A tried and true germ killer is good old
bleach. Bleach is 99.9% effective in killing bacteria within
30 seconds. The best cleaner ratio is 1 part of bleach to 10
parts of water. Use the solution in a bucket, a spray bottle, 
or on a rag to clean areas you want germ and bacteria free. 
Always make sure you wear gloves and the area to be cleaned
can tolerate bleach...

Speaking of germs and bacteria...When someone gets a scrape
or a cut, most people rush to apply hydrogen peroxide or
any antiseptic on the wound to clean and heal it. Doctors
now say that soap and water is more effective for cleaning
cuts and scrapes than antiseptics. In fact, antiseptics
hinder the growth of cells that are needed for healing.
Next time you get a cut or scrape, rinse it with a lot of
soapy water. This flushes away the dirt and allows the
"good bacteria" to start the healing process.....
If you have silk plants that get droopy, spray the leaves
lightly with a little hair spray. This stiffens the leaves
enough to give the arrangement a fuller look...

If you have silk plants that are dirty, place them in a
garbage bag and add salt. Close the bag and shake for
a minute or two. The salt will remove dust and grime.
Shake the excess salt over the bag to remove the remaining
salt...
If it's finally time to pull out the BBQ grill where you live,
cleaning the grates might be a reason why it's still covered
up. Spray the grates with oven cleaner and place the grates
in a big garbage bag. Close the top with a twist tie and leave
overnight. The next day, scrub with a grill brush, then wipe
with a rag. Place them back on the grill and if the grill is
a gas grill, turn on the heat and heat on high for 10-15 minutes 
to kill any germs and bacteria on the grill...For an added
helpful tip, spray the grill with a cooking spray before grilling 
foods to prevent excess sticking of foods on the grill...
Glue caps have a tendency to get stuck after using the glue. 
To prevent this, dab a little petroleum jelly onto the cap
before replacing the cap and it will open easily the next time
you need it...
If you have a favorite pair of candle holders and your candles
don't quite fit "right," Dip the base of the candle in hot water.
The hot water will soften the wax so the candle will fit better...
If you run out of furniture polish, or don't want to use spray
polishes, this one is for you...
1 cup Olive Oil
1 Teaspoon lemon essential oil
Mix the ingredients together well. Apply with a soft rag.
Wipe excess off and buff well with a clean, soft rag to
a nice glossy finish...
If you have a slow running drain in the bathroom, chances are hair is a major culprit. Try using a hair removing lotion such as Nair down the drain. Pour some down the drain and leave it 10-15 minutes, then flush with hot water... 
If your dishwasher drains through your garbage disposal, switch on the disposal when the hot soapy water runs through from the dishwasher. This will give it a good cleaning...
Automatic dishwashing detergent is a great cleaner for refrigerators, stoves, floors, walls and glass. Dissolve 1/4 cup of detergent in one gallon of very hot water. Use rubber gloves to protect hands.  Wipe or mop with the solution, then wipe dry with a cloth... 
IF you have soda that goes flat, don't throw it away, pour the flat soda in ice cube trays, freeze, and use them in your glass the next time you have a soda. The soda won't take on
a watered down taste like it does when using regular ice...
Getting Rid Of Odors: 
Smells such as onions, garlic in any container can be eliminated by wetting a few sheets of newspaper and cramming it into the container. Place the container on the window sill for a day or so and presto the smell has gone. 
Water marks or rings on wood are usually in the wax and not in the wood. Cover the stain with a clean, thick blotter and press down with a warm iron might do the trick.

If that doesn't work, rub salad oil, mayonnaise, white (not gel) toothpaste, or peanut butter on the ring, leave a minute or two, wipe off and then rewax...

White marks on wood will come off with lemon juice or salad oil. After wiping the juice or oil on the white spot, wipe dry with a soft cloth, then polish...
You can dab rubbing alcohol on the ink spot, then use a clean cloth to lift the stain out.
Tips on removing ink stains

Mix 2 parts of rubbing alcohol to one part of water in a spray bottle and spray the ink spot. Leave a few minutes, then launder as usual.  The alcohol odor will disappear...

Spray the ink spot with hairspray. This usually lifts the stain right out when you launder the item afterwards...

Soak the ink spot in milk, then wash...

Ink on leather or vinyl? Try wiping with a baby wipe, (there's alcohol in there too!)

Candles Will Burn longer If You.... Candles will burn a lot longer if you place them in the freezer before using them . 
Keeping your mattress free of germs: 
Spray your mattress (at least once a month) with anti-bacterial (Lysol) deodorizing spray to refresh your mattress and to help kill any growing bacteria in the mattress. 
Cleaning and polishing unsealed brass ... Mix equal parts of flour and salt. Add enough white vinegar to make a thick paste. Apply to the tarnished brass item. Let the paste dry. Rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth...

Polishing the brass is next... One of the best brass polishers is olive oil. Olive oil makes brass look brighter and will retard tarnish so you won't have to clean it as often. Take a clean, soft cloth and slightly moisten it with olive oil. Gently polish the brass. Make sure you don't use too much olive oil on the cloth. If you use too much, wipe with a soft cloth...

Save Your Walls from dents or scrapes: Keep a ladder from marking or damaging your walls by covering the top ends with socks. 
Painting? Try this...  Stir a teaspoon of peppermint extract into each gallon of paint to make it smell more pleasant. 
An easy way to clean stain, spills, and marks on vinyl or leather is to use Baby Wipes. The have built in moisturizers that won't dry out leathers and the scent left behind is nice and fresh......
Cleaning an iron isn't a thing that most people think of doing until "something" happens to it. For those times that "Something happened," Here are some solutions. Always determine what exactly is on the bottom of the iron that needs cleaned...

If there is a waxy substance on the iron such as crayon or candle wax, heat the iron as hot as it gets and "iron" newspaper until it is all gone...

If there's an oil based sticky residue, use a soft cloth and wipe with ammonia. Wipe well with a clean rag and clear water. Don't immerse the iron in water. This is for an iron that is not heated...

If there are hard water deposits, wipe with white vinegar or a calcium and lime deposit remover, (such as CLR) Again, rinse well and on an iron that is not turned on...

Starch residue...A scrubbing job with a cleaner such as Mr. Clean, Simple Green, Top Job etc. will do the trick...

After the iron is clean, iron several pieces of waxed paper to coat it and help the iron slide over clothing rather than dragging...

If you have a vacuum that has different attachments and you
either misplaced them, or the ones you have don't quite fit
where you need to vacuum, try slipping an empty paper towel
roll and slipping it over your hose. The cardboard will bend
enough to get in places that even your attachments won't....

If it's an upright wash the bag out. If it's a canister change or wash the filter. Also run water through the hose to see if something is clogged. (canister)... 
Sometimes vacuuming pet hair is a problem and all of the hair 
doesn't want to come up. You'll have an easier time vacuuming it
off your carpets and upholstery if you mix 2 tablespoons of fabric
softener in one cup of water in a spray bottle. Spray the carpet
or upholstery, let dry a few minutes, then vacuum....
Martha sent in today's tip for those of you with cats...Thank you
Martha!

"I found this secret quite by accident. My cats always wanted to
go on my favorite chair and scratch. While doing laundry, A fabric
softener sheet fell on the chair and I noticed the cat quit going
on that chair. I draped a fabric softener sheet on the back of the
chair and the cat hasn't gone near it since!" 
Wallpaper removal - Fill a bucket with as warm of water as your hands can stand. Use rubber gloves if you want to protect your hands from the hot water if your hands are sensitive to the heat. Add 2 capfuls of any fabric softener and swoosh it around to mix it. Apply the mixture to the wallpaper you want to remove with a big sponge or rag. Thoroughly wet the paper and then peel. If any paper backing is left on the wall, repeat the process and that will come off easily also. If your wallpaper has a shiny or glossy finish, gently wipe down with a fine grade of sandpaper to remove the gloss and make the removal with the solution easier...
MISCELLANEOUS
Preventing a rash from a wrist watch:  If you get a rash from the back of a wrist watch, brush the back of the watch with clear nail polish.  When it wears off repeat. Sometimes if you have too much acid in your body this will happen.

To prevent a trailer hitch from rusting, cut a slit in a
tennis ball and cover the hitch with the ball. It will
stay in place and protect the hitch from the elements...

INSECTS
While most spiders are not poisonous, more people have a fear of spiders than not. These tips might help you with a spider problem, or give you a peaceful night's rest not worrying about them...
  • Chestnuts...Chestnuts have been proven to repel spiders. Keep some on the windowsill or anywhere you feel you may have a spider problem...
  • Get a package of pipe or chewing tobacco. Soak it in a gallon of boiling water and let cool. Strain the liquid into a clean container. Pour a cup of tobacco juice with 1/2 cup lemon dish soap into a sprayer, hose end sprayer, or spray bottle. Spray around the outside of the house and windows. In basements, spray baseboards and around window wells. This solution also kills various 
    other types of bugs....
If ants seem to make their way on your counter, wipe down all the counter tops with white vinegar...
If you know where the ants are coming in, sprinkle red pepper or dried mint at the entrance points...This also works in your cabinets to keep them out...
Sprinkle used coffee grounds around areas where ants are marching in...
If you have anthills, pour 3 gallons of hot water down into the anthill. If there are flowers too close, don't use this tip as the flowers will be killed by the boiling water...
Mix a combo of 50% borax and 50% confectioner's sugar. Place the mixture on a piece of cardboard or a paper plate near the anthill.  The ants will run like crazy to the sugar, then carry the mixture back to the nest to feed the queen and the colony. They won't last long after their dinner. Be VERY careful with this mixture if you have kids or pets. You don't want them eating it. Borax can be found in the laundry aisle in any grocery store....
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