Amazing Cucumber

This information was taken from The NewYork Times several weeks ago as part of their "Spotlight on the Home" series that highlighted creative and fanciful ways to solve common problems. Don't be suprise by how amazing cucumber can be.

• Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

• Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

• Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa- like fragrance.

• Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

• Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles, too!

• Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!

• Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

• Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

• Runs out of WD40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

• Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber will react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

• Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

• Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

• Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!

How to Remove Chewing Gum Stains

A stick of gum can be relaxing and calming. Of course, that peaceful state of mind may end with a sticky stain. When that happens, here's some advice to chew on.

Remove Chewing Gum Stains From:
Acetate, Acrylic Fabric, Burlap, Carpet/Synthetic, Carpet/Wool,
Cotton, Fiberglass, Linen, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester,
Rayon, Silk, Spandex, Triacetate, Wool

Freeze (the method of using ice against the stain to make it easier to remove) until gum gets hard. Carefully scrape (the method of using a scraping tool to gently lift off excess solid or caked-on stains) or rub the matter from the fabric. Sponge with Afta Cleaning Fluid. Apply a dry spotter to the stain and cover with an absorbent pad dampened with the dry spotter. Let it stand as long as any stain is being removed. Change the pad as it picks up the stain. Keep the stain and pad moist with the dry spotter. Flush (the method of applying stain remover to loosen staining materials and residue from stain removers) with a dry-cleaning solvent. If stain remains, reapply the dry spotter and cover. Check the stain every 5 minutes and press hard against the stain when you are checking. Continue the alternate soaking and pressing until all the stain has been removed. Flush with the dry-cleaning solvent. Dry.

Remove Chewing Gum Stains From:
Acrylic Plastic, Aluminum, Asphalt, Paint/Flat,
Paint/Gloss, Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Vinyl Clothing

Freeze until gum gets hard. Carefully scrape or rub the substance from the surface. With a clean cloth dipped in warm sudsy water, wipe the surface until all traces of the gum have been removed. Rinse well and wipe dry

Remove Chewing Gum Stains From:
Bamboo, Cane

Freeze until gum gets hard. Carefully scrape any excess. Wipe with a cloth dipped in a solution of warm sudsy water to which a few drops of ammonia have been added. Rinse well and allow to dry.

Remove Chewing Gum Stains From:
Felt

Since felt is not woven, but rather fused together, take every precaution in removing any excess gum as chunks of the felt may come with it. Freeze to harden the remainder and gently brush (the method of stain removal using a stiff-bristled brush) with a sponge or fine-bristled brush (such as a toothbrush). This should remove any excess that remains on the surface. In extreme cases, very carefully rub a razor blade with the nap. This will remove any stubborn matter, but will also remove some of the felt fibers. If stain persists, make a paste of cornmeal and a small amount of water and apply it to the stain. Give it plenty of time to work. When it is dry, carefully brush it off with the nap.

Remove Chewing Gum Stains From:
Fur/Natural, Fur/Synthetic

Take care not to remove the fur when removing the gum. Freeze to harden the remainder and gently rub it with a dry sponge or brush to remove the remaining gum. Very careful treatment with Afta Spot Remover Wipes, disposable cloths, works well. Another effective treatment is to dampen a sponge or cloth in the suds of a mild detergent and wipe in the direction of the nap to remove any sugary residue. Take care not to over-wet the pelt or backing. Allow to air dry.

Remove Chewing Gum Stains From:
Leather

Carefully scrape excess gum. Mix a solution of mild soap in lukewarm water. Swish to create a great volume of suds. Apply only the foam with a sponge and scrub gently until matter is removed. Dry with a clean cloth. Follow with Tannery Vintage Leather Cleaner & Conditioner or Fiebing's Saddle Soap to condition the leather.

Remove Chewing Gum Stains From:
Linoleum, Vinyl Tile, Vinyl Wallcovering

Freeze the gum to harden it. Use a dull tool such as a metal spatula to scrape the brittle matter without gouging the surface. If there is any residue, try rubbing it with a cloth dipped in Afta Cleaning Fluid. Wipe gingerly, then rub with extra fine (number 000) steel wool. Wash the area and wax when dry.

Remove Chewing Gum Stains From:
Suede

Very carefully scrape to remove excess. Gently rub an artgum eraser over the remaining substance. If any stain remains, cautiously rub the spot with an emery board or extra fine (number 000) sandpaper. In either case, you are removing a fine layer of the hide, so work slowly and carefully.

Remove Chewing Gum Stains From:
Wood

Take special precautions in removing any excess so as not to remove any of the finish. Rub gently with a cloth dipped in the suds of hot soapy water. Rub only on the portion that is stained. Rinse by wiping with a cloth dipped in clear water. Wipe dry immediately and polish or wax
as usual.

When you get into sticky situations with chewing gum, use the above tips to get you out of them.

OOPS!! Dropped something in water?

What is the next steps you would take if your expensive mobile phone or MP3 player get wet in the rain or drop it into the washing basin? Such accidents are very common but unwelcome. Since warrenty for most electronics does not cover water damage, what can you do to revive that wet gadget? The answer is in your kitchen.

Power off the device & try to completely cover the device in a bowl of rice. Rice being a natural desiccant will help absorb the excess moisture. Let it dry for at least 24 hours and do not try to charge or power on the device. If your gadget has a removable battery, dry it separately to speed up the whole drying process.

This home-remedy is cheap and worth giving a try before rushing to the store for a replacement.