How to Remove the Print from Plastic Containers

I got this general idea on Pinterest from twobusybrunettes, but I didn't want to soak any of my washcloths or towels so I changed it for my needs and so I would have less clean-up.

You should do this in a well ventilated space, the acetone is pretty stinky and you shouldn't breath the "fumes".

Materials:

-paper towel, about 3 sections long for each container

-acetone {normally used as nail polish remover and oil based paint clean-up}

-plastic container with label printed on it

-large strong rubber band, one for each container

-rubber gloves

Process:

1. Fold the paper towel in half, end to end; then fold in half lengthwise.  {This will depend on the size and shape of your container; you want at least 3-4 layers of paper towel all the way around your container.}

2. Wrap the paper towel around the container; the paper towel should be touching the container all the way around.

3. Put rubber band around the center of the paper towel to hold it in place tightly.

4. Working over a garbage can or a surface protected with newspaper, carefully pour a little acetone all the way around the container, saturating the paper towel.

5. Let the acetone saturated paper towel sit on the container for at least 10 minutes   {The longer you leave it on the easier the print comes off; but don't leave it on so long that the acetone evaporates.}

6. Wearing rubber gloves; remove the rubber band and use the saturated paper towel to rub away the print from the plastic container.  {It should rub away easily, if not "soak" longer.}
7. Wash containers with warm soapy water to remove any residual acetone.

8. Enjoy!  You can use these for food storage, kid's toys/art materials, your studio/crafting things things, holiday gift treats, the possibilities are endless!

Cutting Food for the Kids Made Easy!

Use a kitchen shears to cut anything you need to cut smaller for the kids (or yourself)!  

I have 3 pair of kitchen shears and I use them to cut everything for the kids... pizza, steak, pancakes/waffles, long pasta, toast/bagels/bread, quesadillas, hot dogs,  etc!  You'll be surprised at how much quicker and easier it is when you use a shears in place of a knife!

Easily Peel Garlic

Crush garlic cloves under your knife, even under a small container or under the cutting board to make removing the outer peel much easier.  So much easier!

Baking Soda Storage

Buy the larger box of baking soda and store it in an air tight container.

It will last longer and if the baking soda is stored in the box it comes in it will absorb any smells in your baking, spice cabinet and your house before you get to use it.

Easy Level Measuring for Herbs & Spices

When you buy a new container of herbs or spices rip off only half of the protective seal in a fairly straight line to allow you to use the edge to level your measuring spoon without making a mess.

Cinnamon & Sugar Mix

Keep a jar of cinnamon and sugar mixture in you spice or baking cabinet.  I mix up a larger batch; then its always on hand for white rice, cereal, oatmeal or for on buttered toast!  Yum!

Ingredients for a Small Batch:
-1/4 cup sugar
-1 tbsp cinnamon

I Make a Larger Batch:
-1 cup sugar
-1/4 cup cinnamon (which is 4 tbsp)

Process:
1. Pour ingredients into an airtight storage container {I used an empty, clean Nutella jar}.
2. Shake to mix thoroughly.
3. Enjoy!

I also have a small ceramic spoon in the mixture which helps my husband and the kids resist the erg of using their eating utensil in the mix container or using way too much.

Binder Clip as Chip/Bag Clip

This is a great tip... 

I was spending money on bag clips that always seemed to break after too little times being used.

Then, one day it occurred to me that these binder clips work great on paper and therefore they would probably work just as good on bags in the kitchen; and they DO and I've been using them in the kitchen ever since!

These are my favorite size to use in the kitchen!  Enjoy!

How to Frost a Layered Cake

For directions on how to frost a layered cake check out the Jello Cake recipe here.

Clean Tough Pans with Baking Soda

You know when you fry up something like steaks or burgers or anything else really, and the pan gets so coated with that cooked on "stuff" you have to scrub or soak and scrub forever to get it clean!

This is a great tip for you at those times and makes pan cleaning a lot easier!  

All you need to do is buy one of those big boxes of baking soda and keep it under your kitchen sink.  

When you have the problem with a "difficult pan":

1. Rinse the pan with water.

2. Pull out your box of baking soda and sprinkle the pan with an even coat of baking soda.

3. Let the pan sit overnight.

4. In the morning your pan will look like this... 

 5. When you rub your finger over the surface of the pan the "stuff" coated on the pan just flakes off like this...

6. Flake off the "chunks" and wash normally.

7. Yippy for easy to clean pans!

Flour Dusting Container

Wash out an empty Parmesan cheese container, dry it out completely and fill it with flour.  

Use this for dusting your work surface and breads, pie crusts, etc. when working with them.  

Its easy to use and you don't have to get out your big flour container and dip in your doughy hand or dirty a scoop; the holes make it easy to just sprinkle out what you need.  

I've always wanted one of those nice flour shakers they use on cooking shows, but I didn't like that the holes are open all the time (maybe they do have covers?); but then it occurred to me, I could just use one of these old Parmesan containers instead.  Who'd of thought!  Enjoy!