Helpful Hints and Gadgets  

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KITCHEN TIMER PLUGIN

THE (BN-Link) IS an 1875 Watt 12 HOUR TIMER FROM AMAZON.com
I use it mostly for my 3 slow cookers.

WATER PRESSURE CHECK

I HAVE TO CHECK MY WATER PRESSURE BECAUSE I HAVE A WATER PRESSURE REGULATOR SET AT 38psi (2.62bar).

I got this gauge at Lowe's for about 12 us dollars. It has a garden hose thread. I put it on the cold water tap behind my washing machine. It works great.

WE TEND TO LOVE LITHIUM BATTERY APPLIANCES AND TOOLS

HOWEVER, THERE IS A CATCH. LITHIUM BATTERIES SHOULD NOT BE OVERCHARGED OR OVER DISCHARGED BECAUSE IT MAY DAMAGE THE BATTERIES ABILITY TO PROPERLY CHARGE.

When a Lithium battery suddenly stops working. This is almost always a sign the battery needs charging. It is important not to keep trying to get it to go a little longer.

Sadly, most lithium battery tools & appliances do not have a charge indicator to tell us when the the battery needs to be charged.

PILL BOX TIP

I leave the last compartment open after I take the pills, so I know which pills to take next.

OPEN BOTTLES THE EASY WAY

I use a nut cracker to open small bottles, especially water bottles. On thin bottles, it is important to get the nut cracker over the top rim of the lid because it will otherwise crush the lid and the bottle too. I do not use any more force than necessary on thin bottles.

OPEN EASY OPEN CANS THE EASY WAY

I have moderate Arthritis in both hands and it is difficult for me to open Easy Open cans so I came up with this method. It works extremely well for me.

Step 1: Gently slide a table knife into the pull ring as show. *Be sure to hold the can safely and securely.

Step 2: Gently push the table knife down to the table top as show.

Step 3: Gently bend the can pull ring "almost" straight up, because bending the pull ring too far could break it off.

Step 4: Gently slide a table knife into the pull ring as show. Hold the can firmly and gently pry the lid open. If the lid is loose, just gently pull the ring the all the way open. If not PLAN B is below.

PLAN B: Gently slide a table knife sideways into the lid as shown and gently pry the rest of the lid open.

KEEP SEEDS IN CANTALOUPE

I keep the seeds in a cantaloupe to keep it from drying out so much.

REMOVE LABELS WITH A HAIR DRYER

      I use my hair dryer on LOW HEAT to remove sticky labels and self-stick sanding discs off of my drill disc sander. *CAUTION: (DO NOT USE HEAT ON PLASTIC or GLASS CONTAINERS. Be careful and keep hands away from the hot air. Also, (DO NOT (UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES) USE A HEAT GUN TO REMOVE A LABEL ON ANY CONTAINER). A heat gun can reach temperatures of over 1500℉ (815℃) degrees and cause severe burns. It is best to ware a cotton or leather glove when removing a label. It is wise to heat the label and move the hair dryer away and then slowly pull the label away. Always be aware of the label getting too hot to touch.

      This method works on cardboard boxes. However, do not use a HAIR DRYER to remove labels from PLASTIC OR GLASS containers, bottles or jars. The heat can cause the glass to shatter or the plastic to melt!

      For glass bottles and jars I put hot water at about 120℉ (49℃) degrees in the jar and let it stand for about 3-5 minutes then slowly peel the label away. Sometimes the label does not all come off. Then Goo Gone may help.

May, 18 2022: HAIR DRYER for LIGHT DUSTING

I use my hair dryer set on (cool wind - no heat) for "light" dusting around the house. It can also be used with a small brush to loosen up some of the dust dust particles. Because I do a lot of woodwork, It comes in handy instead of my big shop vacuum cleaner.

May, 18 2022: ERASE MARKER PEN MARKS

I use 70% Isopropyl Alcohol IF THE SURFACE WILL NOT BE HARMED BY ALCOHOL! to erase Marks made by Marker pens. I use cotton Balls and a Paper Towel to erase the marks if the marks don't erase easily, I use Barkeepers Friend cleanser powder "IF" the surface will not be harmed by minor scratches.

POWER ADAPTER LABELING

I had trouble finding the right power adapter for the right appliance or device. So, I use my DYMO labeler to put labels on the lesser important ones and engrave the important ones.

GLASSES HEADBAND FIX

The headband kept coming loose on my glasses. So I wrapped about 8 turns of Coats Upholstery Black Thread on it and tied it off. It works great. The headband now stays on the glasses.

I FIXED MY LEAKY BASTER

I put a black Zip Tie on my leaky baster. I used the needle nosed pliers to tighten it real snug and used my side cutter pliers to cut the excess band and then use a nail file to smooth out where I cut the band off.

(The White Zip Tie is to show how I put it on the baster.)

TOENAIL CLIPPER can be a substitute for the SIDE CUTTER pliers if one is careful when they use the clippers.

I was having a problem with my socks being too tight above my ankles. I went to Dollar Tree and got Diabetes socks. They are loose and work well for me. I am about 150 pounds. They are Men's in Black but they had White socks too both in two different sizes and Women's in Black and White - in two sizes, as well.

Finding them is a hit and miss situation. Some stores have them and others have a few in stock or none. I turn the fuzzy side out while wearing them.

PUT DATE ON FOOD ITEMS

I put a date on food I am not supposed to have a lot of so I know how much I am eating. *I refill the little salt shaker from the large salt container.

PILL BOX LABEL

I use my DYMO labeler to put hint labels on my pill box to tell me when I can have certain things. I can only have 3 eggs a week. I selected Mon, Wed and Fri because I am the most active during the week. The rest of the week I have to have egg whites instead. The doctor said I need to do this to help lower my LDL Cholesterol.

SHOPPING LIST EASEL

I put a pen and my Shopping list on a little display easel. It is real handy and easy to access to add Shopping Items

Before I go shopping, I take a picture of the list with my CELL Phone.

HOW I OPEN A SEALED BOTTLE

I take a fork and poke it into the seal straight down at a slight angle and then I pry the seal open . Some seals will pop open and some will tear open, but at least it gets the bottle open instantly.

I fold my receipts and important document with the writing facing outward so I won't accidentally throw them away. Then I put them in my back pocket. I keep my wallet in my front pocket because it has a coin pocket and can get uncomfortable in my back pocket when I am seated.

LOTION IN MY SHOE

I put my foot lotion in my shoe by my bed to remind me to use the lotion before putting on my shoes. I put the spout out so it won't get lotion in my shoe. Also, I put ointment when needed in a baggie before putting it in my shoe.

CHECK MY POCKETS I developed the habit of checking my pockets when I get in my car to make sure I have my wallet and cell phone with me when I go to town.

DOOR BAG

I put a 1 gallon plastic storage bag on my door when I plan to go out later, so I won't forget to take important items with me when I leave.

LANCETS & STRIPS IN A JAR

I spilled a bunch of lancets on my bed, That was a wake-up call for me. What if one of the used lancets got in my blanket or on the floor where I could step on it in the middle of the night. I also thought about my grand kids coming over and getting stuck with a used lancet.

So, I now put the lancets and used test strips in a jar and take my glucose on a banquet table in the living room. No sofa or couch to get a used lancet stuck in.

The lid can be sealed on by turning the jar upside down and putting a little super glue between the lid and jar.

I FOLD AND ROLL UP USED FURNACE FILTERS  *CAUTION:   Used filters may contain sharp metal webbing, allergens and or hazardous particles. Be sure to check to make sure it is safe to fold or roll the filter before trying to fold and Roll up a Filter. Also filters may be made of fiberglass or other fibers one should not handle without Gloves and a protective mask at minimum. My filters are 3M Filtrete Basic with plastic cord pleat bridges.

FIRST I FOLD THEM IN HALF

THEN I ROLL IT UP, PUT A PIECE OF TAPE ON IT BEFORE PUTTING THE FILTER IN THE TRASH

POTATOES:   I put my potatoes in the Refrigerator Vegetable crisper drawer to keep them from going bad so fast.

MY FEET HURT:   Arthritis took its toll on my feet. They swelled up from 11 - wide to 12 - XXX wide (6E). I had a hard time finding a soft Extra, Extra Wide shoe. I found a New Balance Walking shoe.

They are extra comfortable and are very soft. They come in a wide variety of sizes and widths. I can now walk with very little pain.

My wife wears this shoe in size 6 - XXX (6E) because I could not find her shoes in Woman's size 6E width. Her feet are very wide and short.

New Balance   813   Walking Shoe:

IN THE HAT:   I put my wallet and glasses in my hat so I can find them easily.

  Having a terrible time finding your glasses? I partially solved the problem by putting my glasses in my hat after I take it off and then I put my hat on my desk. This works well for me.