This is mostly a blog for recipes. But we do post an occasional one about different hacks. Grandpa Ed submitted the following list of things that might help you out of a pinch.

• To clean copper bottom pots, use ketchup.
• Wrap cheese in parchment or wax paper, then place in an open plastic bag; store in the refrigerator. 
• Water your house plants with club soda that has gone flat. The chemicals that remain in the soda add vigor to the greenery. 
• To eliminate ink stains from a carpet, soak the stained area with lemon juice. 
• To remove mud or soot from a rug, sprinkle the stained area with salt. Allow the salt to dry or settle before vacuuming. 
• To clear a clogged drain, pour ½ cup salt, ½ cup vinegar, and ½ cup baking soda down the drain. Close or plug until the fizzing stops, then flush with boiling water. (I use a similar method with same amounts of vinegar and baking soda. Heat the vinegar then pour it over the baking soda in the drain. Works well.)
• For no-fuss painting, place a roller pan inside a plastic bag. Then pour the paint into the plastic pan; the bag acts as a liner. When the job is finished, remove the pan, turning the bag inside out, and discard it. 
• To make a microwave smell fresh, fill a microwaveable cup with water and mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Heat the water mixture at high for 1 minute. 
• To remove bugs and tar from a car, use a damp cloth to apply a paste made by mixing baking soda with water. Allow the paste to sit for a few minutes before wiping and rinsing the area clean. 
• To remove crayon marks from painted walls, scrub with a dab of non-gel toothpaste. 
• To remove chewing gum from clothing, chill it with a piece of ice. The hardened gum can be crumbled and brushed off.