Helpful Household Hints : The Ultimate '90s Guide to Housekeeping

Microwave Safe?
The microwave is one of the greatest conveniences available in modern kitchens, but sometimes it's hard to tell if your dishes are microwave safe. The best way to test a dish is to put it in the microwave with a measuring cup filled with water. Heat for one minute at the highest power. Check the temperature of each; if the dish is cold and the water hot, then the dish is microwave safe.

Old Enough to Date
It can become very confusing to try and figure out which of your leftovers are oldest and should be eaten first. This problem can be remedied by a small pieces of paper with the date that you originally cooked the dish written on it. Simply tape the piece of paper to the container in which you're storing the leftover, and voila!

Turkey Dinner
Everyone seems to think that carving a turkey is difficult, but it's actually quite simple, as long as you follow these directions. To remove white meat, cut directly downwards until you hit bone, using the breastbone as a guide. Then turn the knife horizontal and cut outwards. Repeat for the other side. You will then have two succulent turkey breasts, which can easily be sliced on a cutting board. To remove legs and wings, pull the appendage away from the body and hunt for the joint with the tip of your knife. When you finally find the cartilage, your knife should be able to cut through it without any problem whatsoever.

Shoe Boxes Aren't Just for Shoes
Remember how you used to keep your favorite toys in shoe boxes when you were a kid? Well, why did you ever stop using shoe boxes for storage? They're sturdy and they come in practical sizes, perfect for holding hairbrushes, combs, spray cans, makeup, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Each member of your family can have his or her own box, and there will never again be any confusion about which item belongs to whom. And as long as you don't lose the lid, then the shoe box can be tucked away almost anywhere in the bathroom without dirtying or damaging the things inside.

Clear Mirrors
The mirror in your bathroom always fogs up after you've had a shower, but you can easily solve this by pointing your blow dryer at it and letting the hot air evaporate the moisture. An even better way is to simply drape a towel across it while you bathe. That way, you don't waste any electricity, and the towel is within easy reach.

Horrible Hair
Hair has a nasty tendency to accumulate around bathroom sinks. Most products have difficulty picking up hair, as static electricity makes it cling to the porcelain. The solution is very simple: Moisten a paper towel and scrub the porcelain. The water will destroy the static charge, and the paper towel will be able to pick up all the hair. Be certain never to flush the towel down the toilet, as it will clog your plumbing.