White vinegar can be used to wipe any stains off of plantation shutters. Fill a small bowl with white vinegar only. The precise amount you need depends on the size of your shutters and how much cleaning they need. For easiest cleaning, you will wipe down your shutters with a sock or cotton gloves. Find a clean, fresh sock or glove and dip it in the white vinegar. Wring the sock or glove out until it's just barely damp. Place your sock or glove over your hand. Run the sock or glove over each blind slowly. The white vinegar should remove dirt, debris, and any stains. For very dirty shutters, have another sock or glove on hand if the one you use gets dirty. Wipe down each blind as many times as you need for the sock or glove to run clean. The final time you wipe, there should be no new dirt or debris on your sock or glove. The shutters should be looking much cleaner when you're done. Remember to switch which sock or glove you're using if your sock or glove becomes very dirty. It's important not to simply rub dirt around on the shutters.

Summary: Fill a bowl with white vinegar. Wet a sock or cotton glove. Wipe down the shutters. Keep wiping until your socks or gloves run clean.


You can find much larger grinders for projects, but this size will be fine for a variety of tasks, including most of the jobs you'll do in your home. Also, it's a common size, so look for it in most hardware stores. Plus, a larger tool is more difficult to handle, which can lead to injury if you're not careful. If you want to use the grinder for a number of projects, try not to get the cheapest one. If you spend a little more, you can get a better quality machine. Pick a motor that pulls 5-9 amps, which will give you a little extra power and will likely stay in operation longer. All accessories will have a maximum RPM (rotations per minute). Exceeding that RPM could lead to the attachment breaking apart and sending flying pieces at you. Therefore, the RPM of the accessory needs to match or exceed the max RPM of the grinder. That way, if you turn your grinder to max, you still won't go over the max speed of the accessory. A wheel brake system will stop the grinder quickly if you need it to. Plus, it allows you to bring the grinder to a full stop before you set it down. Opt for a grinder that has this safety feature if you can. A grinding disc with noise reduction and a handle that reduces vibrations can also make your grinder safer.

Summary: Opt for a 4 by 4.5 in (10 by 11 cm) grinder for most projects. Choose a 5-9 amp motor if you plan on using the grinder a while. Check the RPM on accessories against the RPM on the grinder before buying them. Look for safety features like a wheel brake system.


Microwaving works best for flowers with many petals, and no hairy or sticky surface. Roses, zinnias, and marigolds are good options, although varieties with thick petals might not work out. Pick the flowers when half-open and firm, before petals start dropping. Cut the stems pretty short for this method — about 1–2 inches (2.5–5cm) Remove the container from the microwave. Cover the container, leaving the lid slightly ajar, and leave it alone for 24 hours. The desiccant (especially silica gel) can take a long time to cool to a safe temperature.  Leave dahlias, pansies, and peonies for 36 hours instead. Larger, thicker flowers such as roses and carnations may be ready in as few as 10 hours. Keep this out of reach of children and animals.

Summary: Choose your flowers. Let cool for one day.


Make a surprised "O" shape with your mouth, keeping the "O" fairly tight. Place an index finger on either side of your nose, one on each nostril. Push each nostril in about halfway toward your nose; you need to still be able to breathe through your nose for this exercise. Turn your head upward. Breathe deeply and blow air out through your nose, flaring your nostrils as you do.  Do this at least 3-5 times in a row to get the full results and repeat it several times a day. It make take a couple of weeks up to several months to see results! Smile as widely as you can; do a big, goofy grin. As you do, push the bottom of your nose upward. Alternate between smiling and going back to your resting face, pressing on your nose the whole time. This exercise may feel kind of goofy, but smiling that wide can also put you in a better mood!  This works the muscles around your nose, which may help slim it. Do 2 sets of 15. Use your index finger and thumb to grasp the bridge of your nose. Then, press up on the bottom of your nose with your other index finger. Keep these in place as you stretch your upper lip down. Alternate between relaxing and pulling your lip down.  This exercise may seem a bit odd with so many fingers on your nose, but it can help work the muscles around your nose! Try 2 sets of 15.
Summary: Press your fingers into your nostrils to work on slimming them. Smile and press up on your nose to work your nose muscles. Pinch your nose while moving your upper lip to stretch the muscles around your nose.