That intense book from an earlier post, Brandwashed (July 14, 2015), reminded me of a book I read several years ago .... something about using brand name products in unexpected ways. That book was Polish Your Furniture with Panty Hose, which took me to Paint Your House With Powdered Milk and Hundreds More Offbeat Uses for Brand-Name Products, also by Joey Green which is another collection of many uses for things that might be on your shelf. Make a 'poor man's lava lamp' using Club Soda! Use chalk to keep your fine silverware from tarnishing. Check out the creative uses for wax paper. With each entry is a brief history of the product and some fun facts. Joey Green has published lots of books, many of them on this subject.

Helpful hints, of course, reminded me of Heloise, remember her? She had a column and several books out about how to make cleaning your house easier, how to stop a floor from squeaking, how to keep your house plants healthy. I couldn't find any of her books (well, without buying them) so she will have to remain just a memory, but I did discover some other books.

For a nice collection of helpful hints for today, but with wonderful pictures from the past take a look at Classic Household Hints: Over 500 Old and New Tips for a Happier Home, by Susan Waggoner. I really enjoyed to juxtaposition of the vintage ads with useful information, it just made for a fun read (and I learned a few things, too). :-)

Yet again Joey Green has put together a handy guide for things using brand name products, in this case for your pet. Joey Green's Amazing Pet Cures: 1,138 Quick and Simple Pet Remedies Using Everyday Brand-Name Products is a lengthy collection of hints and remedies for dogs, cats, birds, gerbils and hamsters, and even horses. A bit repetitive to just read (similar things will work for barking, chewing, etc). but nice if you are just looking up, say, hot spots, etc.

Reading Hermit With Dog