Save when Cleaning your Oven

A lot of us are just learning that the self-clean feature on ovens can be harmful to the health of our stoves. It seems the self-clean feature runs the oven at such a high temperature that it burns control panels and fuses in the newer model stoves.

Solution: use a 1/2 cup of ammonia.

This will probably be less expensive than the electric of running the self-clean feature on your oven, and definitely better than the aerosol oven cleaners.

Here's the directions, from thekitchn.com:

" First, turn the oven on, let it warm to 150°F (65°C), and then turn it off. Place a small bowl containing 1/2 cup ammonia on the top shelf and a large pan of boiling water on the bottom shelf. Close the oven door, and let it sit overnight. The next morning, remove the dish and pan, and let the oven air out awhile. Then wipe it clean using the ammonia and a few drops of dishwashing liquid diluted in a quart of warm water -- even old burned-on grease should wipe right off. Warning: Do not use this cleaning method with a gas oven unless the pilot lights are out and the main gas lines are shut off."

Ideas from My Friends

I want to thank all of my friends for helping me come up with some new ideas this week. Here are some money saving or frugal ideas, that we came up with.

When you finish the end of a jar of jelly, peanut butter, etc., instead of throwing the jar away right away, save it. The next time you go for a snack, take a slice of bread and dip it in the jar to get that last little bit out instead of tossing it!

Again, at the end of a bag of pretzels. Don't toss that extra salt with the pretzel bag. Put it in a little container, maybe even a grinder, and save it for your popcorn or other snacks.

What about sunscreen? It will probably be expired if you save it from year to year. How about using the rest of the tube for shaving instead of tossing it? It will probably even help to soften your skin!

Another good idea....When you are getting the temperature set in your shower and the water is running before you get in, catch that water in a bucket. Use the water for your outdoor plants. This will especially be helpful in the summer.

Hope you have enjoyed these household tips from me and my friends!