Category: Household hints
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How to create more space on an outside clothes line
Now that the children are on school holidays, it means more mess, disorder and of course extra washing. Weekly school uniforms are now replaced by “play” clothes which of course ends up in the laundry faster than you can wash it and hang it out. Here is a way to create more hanging space on…
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“Your mother sent us a pram”?
Just recently, hubby and my 16yr old daughter flew up to Sydney to my parents and then drove home the following day with my mothers second hand car. Of course, no visit to my parents is without a car load full of goodies being sent home to the grand children or myself. My hubby however,…
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Hang Out Time
Hanging washing would have to be one of my favourite chores in this busy household. Perhaps some of you must be thinking WHAT, HAS SHE GONE MAD? No, I haven’t (not quite); however I am not talking about the amount of washing which piles up day after day, day in and day out; I am talking…
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Easy chores for children and the family.
Organisation is a big part of my every day life. I like to plan ahead, and finish a job before moving onto the next one. Schedules and routines are essential in businesses, so why not use these methods in the home too? As a mother of seven, life can be pretty hectic. Peace and quiet…
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First-Aid-Kit Organisation
For the last few weeks I have been shaking my head, grunting and getting completely annoyed with the state of my First-Aid Kit area in my pantry cupboard. One particular kid has a bad habit of getting band-aids out of each pack and throwing them all over the place. I have found butts in the…
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Dirty Dish Cloths & Sponges
Here are 3 very simple and easy ways to clean and sterilise those dirty dish cloths & sponges 1. Soak them in the kitchen sink with a scoop or two of nappy soaker and hot water for a couple of hours. Not only are you cleaning the cloths but the sink area as well (just give the sink, tap…
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School routine planner
Getting back into a routine after the end of year school break requires some motivation and organisation skills. Having chore charts, schedules and a simple system can help the children to become organised, have everything in order and be ready for the following weeks and school terms ahead. With every school year, new challenges arise for…
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Mum is everyone’s personal secretary; but never her own!
Organising the family along with ones individual tasks, activities, jobs, chores, outings, sport days, excursions, swimming lessons, football/soccer/netball training, appointments to the dentist, hairdresser, doctor, optometrist etc is something the mother often does. It is almost like running a business and being the personal secretary for the children (and the husband). Categorising events, making lists,…
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Easy to reach mobile phone charger
Here is a simple idea for those mobile phone charger cords! Never bend over the side of the bed to reach for them again. Make an easy elastic strap that can tie around anything. All you need is: Two pieces of elastic (the kind used for waist bands). One large button. Thread one elastic through…
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DIY car tissue box holder
Need a car tissue holder and don’t want to waste money buying something crappy online? Why not just make your own! What you need: 4lt ice cream container lid Scissors and a Stanley knife Marker pen Sewing elastic Tooth pick Cut the outer edge off the ice cream lid; measuring the narrow edges of tissue…
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DIY car garbage bin
Here is a simple DIY idea and affordable garbage bin for your car. All you needs is: An empty Nappy Soaker tub (remove the label). Scissors A medium sized binder clip Garbage bags (the nappy sack sized are great – see here ). Cut off top of container above the ridge. Place a bag inside…
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Pick it up, put it away, a home in order is the only way!
The most common phrase that gets thrown at me whenever I am out and about with my seven children is “wow, you must have your hands full“. Well yes I do, but not the the way everyone thinks. My hands are full of love (to cuddle and embrace), compassion and praise (to give a pat…
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Handbag hook & holder for your car
Recently, I just got myself a runaround car and being an organiser, I have ventured through all the car accessories in various stores trying to find gadgets and things to keep the car organised and tidy, however what I was after in the way of storage wasn’t available, was a little too expensive or just way over the…
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DIY Tooth Paste Savers
We all have found a squished, half empty toothpaste sitting on our bathroom sink area and getting that last bit of paste out can be quite difficult and messy – especially for the kids! Here is an easy idea to make your own toothpaste savers with household items. Why not make your own!
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Scissors are essential tools in the kitchen
Did you know a pair of scissors can make life so much easier when preparing meals in the kitchen? As you can see, No Excuses has a drawer full of them as I use them all the time. Here are several uses when preparing the family meal: Shallots, Spring onions or even Chives can easily be…
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The best invention was created by a woman!
The dishwasher would have to be one of best kitchen appliances ever invented. Not only are they time saving; a dishwasher also sterilises and disinfects while cleaning and scrubbing at the same time. Breakfast time during school mornings is one time where the dishwasher is a lifesaver. Large families can fill a dishwasher of…
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Towels & Gym Bag Storage Ideas
Going to a gym was something that never crossed my mind years ago; family life and running a busy household always came first, because sometimes it’s not possible to exercise. Last year I made an effort and was trying to exercise 3 days a week (see here) while my youngest was a kinder. I also had the…
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Quick & easy sink cleaning
Large family kitchens, food preparation and sink areas do get a good work out. Sinks in particular are always full or in constant use and get VERY dirty frequently. Here is a simple and quick way to clean and also disinfect those sinks (without having to wait over hour or more to do the job – because we…
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BREVILLE ~ the Flavour Maker – REVIEW
If you visit this website/blog frequently, you would have seen I use the crock-pot/slow-cooker quite often. The fact one can cook a large quantity and prepare dinner in the morning, walk away and come back to a cooked and easy meal later in the evening is a winner in any large family. All of No Excuses crock-pot…
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Don’t leave home without a spoon again…
Have you ever left the house with a packed lunch for yourself or child or perhaps taken a tub of yoghurt with you or bought one while out at the supermarket and realised you needed a spoon?? This is what No Excuses does! Purchase a disposable picnic pack of plastic spoons and keep them in your handbag.…
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Make an easy desk drawer organiser
Recycling and making something out of items lying around the home is something I love doing (see the other things I have made here). Today I have come up with a very simple and recycling idea using empty ice cream containers. The No Excuses household only ever buy the 4 litre sized ice cream (due to the size of our…
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Shallots that last outside of the fridge!
When you buy shallots, do you put them straight into the fridge? If you answered YES, did you know there is a better way to store these! Put them in a large jar or vase and leave them near the kitchen window (sink area). When needed for cooking, give them a “hair cut’ with kitchen scissors.…
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If only I had a safety pin….
You are not at home; your trousers or skirt has burst its zip or the elastic has gone. You have broken a nail, cut or jammed your finger or perhaps need to cut off a shopping tag or thread? If only you had a safety pin, a pair of nail clippers, scissors or even…
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Personal Records and Certificates
Here is an easy way to store important documents. When you have a large family (seven children in my case), there are many Birth Certificates, Baptism Certificates, Holy Communion Certificates, Awards, School Photos, Bank Passports, etc. So what I do, is store my husbands my own important documents and certificates in the one display folder.…
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Sleeping in; a thing of the past!
Gone are the days when parents could lie in, stay in bed (well at least one of them) and recharge the batteries for the following week. Once children start getting older and begin school, life becomes busier and busier. Very soon children’s interests change, new friends are made and their passion for various sporting activities awakens.…
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“You’re a SUPER MUM”
Have any of your been dubbed a ‘super mum’ (mom for my US viewers). Over the years my friends and family (and even recently, my husband), have called me this or have even bragged to others; “You’re a super mum”. What is a supermum exactly? This is what the online dictionary defines as a SUPERMOM?
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If you don’t ask, you don’t get!
For those who know me, I have always used this saying “if you don’t ask, you don’t get” and it is so true. Obviously it takes some courage and a bit of stamina to ask for things. Whether you are speaking to someone face to face or over the phone, business related or personal; asking for things…
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The prang I never had!
Day 3, Friday: Things that make you uncomfortable This is a tough one for me; if I was to answer this as a child, the list would be huge. Nothing worries me too much these days, those that know me would probably honestly say that “nothing fazes her”. Grizzly critters, crawling bugs, spiders, insects etc do not frighten…
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No more mess underfoot while driving
You no longer have a baby in the house, nor need to use those baby nappy sacks (rubbish bags) any more? Well guess what, here is a simple idea which may make you go out and buy some more again! Baby nappy sacks/bags are actually quite strong and can hold quite a bit (I managed…
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Married couples celebrating Valentines Day!……….Say What???
There are No Excuses for missing Valentines Day even if married and have been so for many years. Upon discussing the very idea with my dear friend Pam who blogs at My Jewellery Box; she made a very important observation and has a guide for all those couples that may have been together for almost a lifetime. Here…