Recycling: the why, how and where in Bahrain
Info page on the environment and recycling resources in Bahrain
Index -simple tips
Index -simple tips
Coffee grounds
Cork
hydrogen peroxide
Apple cider vinegar
Elastic bands
soap slivers
club soda
Amazing tires
Metal
Rope/wool
Wood
Fun
Cars
Brilliant uses for coffee grounds
Brilliant uses for coffee grounds
- freshen up a musty care overnight:
When the car is smelling musty cut the foot of an old pair of pantyhose and fill it with used - dried coffee grounds.
Tie the open end and put in the cup holder overnight. ( line the holder first with newspaper to avoid spills and stains.
The absorbent granules will trap the moisture and bacteria responsible for the musty smell, deodorizing the car by morning.
- Solve an ant problem:
Fill a few cotton or paper bags with dry coffee grounds, seal the tops and leave them anywhere you have seen ants- in cupboards near entrances or windowsills or sprinkle loose grounds.
The scent of coffee will repel the ants and ingesting caffeine can kill them so they stay away for good.
Change the bag every other week or as needed.
- Erase scuff marks on wood furniture
Dip a damp cotton swap in coffee grounds and use it to lightly dab the area.
The tannins will act like a dye concealing the mark.
Let dry for a few hours before wiping away any stray grounds and reapplying- the color will darken over time.
- Quickly reduce cellulite
Combine 1 cup of coffee grounds with 2/3 cup of olive or baby oil and rub the mixture in the problem area for 2 minutes and rinse off.
Caffeine has a diuretic effect that dehydrates fat cells, instantly reducing their size and banishing the look of the dimpled skin for up to 12 hours.
Repeat weekly.
- Glowing complexion
Mix 1/4 cup of coffee grounds with one egg white - massage the mixture into the face and neck.
Let dry then rinse with warm water.
The coffee small granules will gently buff away the dry skin cells, while the antioxidants will fight free radical damage to uncover a radiant complexion.
Plus the coffee and egg white have an astringent properties that will tighten your pores for a flawless fresh faced appearance.
- Sweep without kicking up dust
Sprinkle damp coffee grounds on the floor before sweeping.
The heavy grounds will prevent the dust from clouding up- so you can sneeze free do the job.
- Sop up oil spills ( not in carpets)
Cover the spill with the coffee grounds, the absorbent granules will soak up the liquid, after 15 minutes or so you can sweep away the the grounds and the oily mess with ease.
- Tenderize tough cuts if meat
( low sodium fix)
Coat the steak with oil, then rub a mix or 1/3 cup each of black pepper and coffee grounds - decaf when kids are eating.
Chill 30 minutes than grill as normal.
The tannic acid will gently break down the meat's tough muscle fibers and add a nutty, smoky flavor.
- Beautiful Blooming scrubs and flowers
Work a thin layer of coffee grounds into the soil of acid loving plants ( roses-azaleas-camelias-rhododendron) using 1-2 cups every 8 bushes.
Repeat weekly.
Coffee grounds contain up to 2% nitrogen, a nutrient essential to healthy growth, plus the low pH will balance the soil acidity to create a healthier environment for developing blooms.
- Add dimension to brunette's hair
Adding low-lights or conceal a few gray hairs between touch-ups.
Steep 1/4 cup of grounds in 3 cups of hot water and let cool of completely.
Strain the grounds and pour the liquid over clean damp hair - wait 2 minutes and rinse
The tannins will bring out subtle shades in brown hair, and its weak acids will dissolve product buildup to boost volume and shine.
Brilliant uses for corks
Brilliant uses for corks
- Soften to hard sugar
Saturate 2 corks with water and seal them with the hard sugar in a re-seal-able bag.
Let sit overnight, the wet corks will slowly release the moisture, which will be absorbed by the hard sugar to revive its soft texture.
- Make a roaring fire
Soak several corks in rubbing alcohol for 1 hr, then put them underneath the logs/charcoal in your fireplace/barbeque and with a long match light them.
The absorbent cork cells will soak up enough flammable alcohol to help flames catch and keep them burning strong.
- Control the flow of (expensive) oil
Use a cork to make a pour spout.
Just cut a small wedge down the length of the cork and slip it into the neck of the bottle.
The slimmer gap will prevent overflow, so you can savor every last drop.
- Eliminate bubbles from a screen guard
Put the guard on the screen, then roll a cork from side to side pushing the bubbles towards the outer edges.
The firm cork will force out trapped air without causing wrinkles, so the guard will be on in seconds.
This will work on any type of protective electronics screen.
- Safely store sewing needles and pins.
Just stick the needles in the cork which keep fingers safe from accidental pricks.
- Make stainless steel look like new.
Dip a cork in some olive oil and use it to scrub the metal.
The oil will soften knife-dulling, hard water-mineral deposits, while the cork’s textured rubber surface will dislodge any buildup without harming the steel.
Plus the oil will a protective barrier behind that will prevent future buildup and add a nice shine.
- Water houseplants half as often.
Use a food-processor to grind up 8-12 corks, then mix the pieces in with the topsoil.
The air-filled cork cells will absorb excess water and slowly release it as the soil dries out, cutting your watering needs in half.
- Stabilize wobbly furniture.
Measure the gap and cut a piece of the cork and glue it to the leg.
The cork disk will keep the leg steady and the honeycomb structure will prevent from going flat over time.
Gluing cork on any furniture will prevent scratching delicate wooden floors.
Corkgarden
Brilliant uses for hydrogen Peroxide
Brilliant uses for hydrogen Peroxide
- Safely disinfect meal preparation area's
To keep cutting boards and counters free from bacteria without resorting to chemical-laden cleaners, just give the surface a wipe with a paper towels or a clean dishcloth soaked in 3% hydrogen peroxide.
The solution will kill salmonella and other harmful organisms, preventing the spread of germs to nearby surfaces.
- Whiten dirty dingy tile grout.
The grout-cleaning combination that works even better than bleach- hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.
Combine 1 part peroxide to 3 part of baking soda to make a paste.
Scrub it on the grouting with a toothbrush and let it sit for 30 minutes. than rinse with warm water.
The peroxide will release oxygen to break down the stain, while the abrasive baking soda will help scrub the marks from the grout's surface.
- Lift bloodstains from white clothing.
Pour equal parts of water and peroxide directly into the affected area.
Let sit for 30 minutes than wash as normal.
Peroxide will react with the blood to break down the stain, gently erasing the unsightly mark without damaging the fabric (unlike bleach which turns the turns white gray.
- Safe a scorched tablecloth (Linen light colored).
Grab a rag big enough the cover the scorch mark and soak it in 3% peroxide.
Lay the rag over the mark then iron on a medium setting until the mark disappears.
The peroxide with heat loosens and lift the scorch, while the saturated cloth will prevent the the fabric from more damage.
- Eliminate between the teeth stains.
Regularly dip dental floss in peroxide and floss as always.
Peroxide (the main ingredient in most tooth-whitening toothpastes) release oxygen to break down stains and whiten discoloration without damaging the tooth enamel.
You'll see improvement within two to three weeks.
- Extent the life of fresh flowers.
To make a beautiful bouquet last 4-5 days longer try this:
Fill the vase with lukewarm water and 1 tsp of 3% peroxide.
The antimicrobial solution will kill any harmful bacteria in the water so your blooms can thrive.
- Stop a blister from becoming infected.
Fill a large bowl with equal parts water and peroxide, then soak you feet for 30 minutes before bedtime.
The antibacterial solution will kill germs, plus increase oxygen to the injured skin to promote cell renewal and speedy healing.
- Soak away nail discoloration.
When dark polish makes your nails yellow fill a bowl with peroxide -enough to cover the fingertip, soak 1-2 minuted use a cotton swab to wipe under the nails
The peroxide will oxidize the pigment molecules in the polish restoring your nails to their natural color.
- Remove pesticides from produce.
Combine 1 part peroxide to 9 parts water in a spray bottle and generously spritz the fruit / vegetables.
Scrub with a vegetable scrubber than rinse.
Peroxide is study-proven to eradicate E.coli and other bacteria, guaranteeing your produce is safe to eat.
- Green up a yellowed plant.
When the leaves of the indoor plant start turning yellow - a sign of root rot.
To help them bounce back first repot the plants. then water the soil with a solution of 1 cup water and 1tbs and 2 tsp of 3%.
Continue doing this even after the plant is healthy.
The antimicrobial peroxide acts as an oxygen supplement, with will aerate the soil and nourish the plants.
Brilliant uses for apple cider vinegar
Brilliant uses for apple cider vinegar
- Eliminate bothersome dandruff
Apply 1/2 a cup of apple cider vinegar and gently massage it into the scalp, then rinse thoroughly with cool water.
The alpha hydroxy acids in the vinegar loosen the buildup of the sebum that causes the embarrassing scalp problem.
Within a day or two you will be dandruff free.
- Turn yellow plant leaves green.
2 tbs of apple cider vinegar in 1 liter of water then put it on soil as soon as you notice the leaves change color.
Do this once a week for three weeks.
The solution will lower the pH level of the soil by increasing the acidity. correcting the color change.
- Erase salt stains from wooden floor
Pour 1 tbs of vinegar onto a damp cloth and dab at the marks, starting at the edge working your way towards the center.
The Acid will neutralize the slat particles, removing the stain without damaging the wood finish.
- Even out fading tan
To balance out a blotchy tone, combine 1/2 tsp of vinegar in 1/2 liter of chilled water, soak a washcloth in the solution and gently run the affected area.
The fruit sugars in the vinegar will easily slough away loose dead skin so you can get to your naturally glowing self.
- Soak away foot odor.
Soak the sweaty feet in 1/3 cup of vinegar mixed with 1/2 cup of warm water for 30 minutes: repeat nightly until the problem subsides.
The acetic acid in the vinegar will deodorize the feet so everybody in the house can breath easier.
Apple cider vinegar and water foot baths are also a none invasive treatment of athlete's foot, and other fungal infections on the feet and other parts of the body.
- Stop a nosebleed in seconds.
Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar, then place in in the bleeding nostril, slightly tilting the head forward.
The vinegar will help coagulate the blood and it flowing out.
- Cure hiccups.
Mix 1 tbsp of vinegar in a cup of warm water, then drink,
The tart taste interrupts the the nerve-impulse patterns that cause the spasms, so you can breath without the blips.
- Make cheap beef taste expensive.
Marinate the beef in 2 cups of apple cider vinegar for 1 hour before preparing and cooking as usual.
The acids in the vinegars breaks down the tough muscle fibers , making the meat more succulent.
Bonus: the vinegar will enhance the flavor and give the dish a slightly tangy taste.
- Add shine to pet's coats
For small pets (dog) add 1tsp to it's drinking water daily.
For larger pets (horses) add one cup to it's drinking water daily (prevents also pesky flies and mosquitoes bothering the horse.
The vinegar is high in potassium, a mineral that helps maintain the healthy glow of the animal's coat.
Plus the acids will add a subtle scent to the dogs sweat , which act as a natural deterrent to fleas.
- Keep skin bruise free.
Apply a gauze soaked in Apple cider vinegar and apply it to the sore spot.
Secure with a bandage and leave it on for 1 hour.
The acid in the vinegar will increase blood flow to the skin's surface, discouraging a cluster of red blood cells from forming so it won't leave a unsightly telltale mark.
Brilliant uses for elastic bands
Brilliant uses for elastic bands
- Keep track of liquids in opaque containers
Since paint cans, bottles of cleaning spray and jugs of laundry detergent aren’t transparent, it’s impossible to at a glance if you’re running low.
Use a thick rubber band as a fluid marker.
Just position one around the outside of the container and move it down as you use more of the liquid.
That way you’ll always know how much you have left and when you need to add the product to the shopping list.
- Ensure shirts always stay on the hanger
To keep the shirt from sliding, wrap rubber bands around both ends of the hanger.
The “sticky” rubber will grip the fabric without damaging it.
- Protect the table from remote-control scruffs
To spare furniture from scratches of the tossed remotes wrap a small rubber band around each end of the remote controls.
The cushioning between the devices and he tabletop will provide enough of a buffer to prevent scratches, scuffs and nicks.
- Open a stubborn jar with ease
Simply place a rubber band around the cap, then twist as usual.
The rubber will allow you to get a better grip on the lid so you can open the jar without breaking into a sweat.
- Expand the tight pants in a pinch
Unbutton the pants and feed a rubber band through the button hole then through the band itself.
Loop the band around the button to fasten.
This will extent your waistband so you can breathe easy.
- Revive a beat-up old broom
If the bristles of the broom are starting to splay, dampen them with a paper towel and slip a medium size rubber band around them let it sit overnight.
The rubber band will pull the bristles in and “retrain” them to stand straight.
The result: a broom that looks- and works-like new.
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