Pick out a few good tips and place the rest in ag-slot

Tips to solve your household problems

When it comes to our home, we often don't realize that there are simple solutions to problems that sometimes seem overwhelming. Here are a few examples:

When was the last time that you had to measure out a cup of shortening? How long did it take?Well, try this simple technique the next time you want to measure an unmanageable cup of grease, butter or shortening. First, fill a 2- or 3-cup measuring container with plain cold tap water. If your recipe calls for 1 cup of shortening, simply fill the container so that 1 cup of the measuring container remains empty. Next, spoon in the shortening until the waterline raises one cup. Finally, scoop out the lump of shortening and use it in your recipe and pour the water out of the measuring cup and you will be surprised to discover that the cup is "clean as a whistle."

A front-loading washing machine saves water and, some say, will do less damage to your clothing. There are some significant differences between front- and top-loading machines that you really need to know. Front-load machines do in fact use less water to wash an equivalent load of clothing. And, although less soap is recommended, the type of laundry detergent used also is very important. With front-loading machines, there is a significant chance of flooding when too much of the wrong detergent is used. Detergent for front-loaders foams less and for that reason will tend not to build up and overflow like the conventional type. Keep in mind that because front-loaders use less water, they also need far less detergent to get your clothes clean.

If you don't have a habit of reading the label on the products you buy, you may not realize that mouthwash is not made to swallow and can make you very sick. Read the label and see.We aren't suggesting that you stop using your favorite mouthwash. However, we do think you ought to know that when you do use it you need to be careful. Children under 6 years of age should not use adult mouthwash. And no child should be allowed to use mouthwash without supervision.Brothers James and Morris Carey are nationally accredited home remodelers who have written a column for the Associated Press for more than a decade. Readers can mail questions to: On the House, AP Newsfeatures, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020, or e-mail careybro@onthehouse.com. Readers can also check their Web site at www.onthehouse.com.