Free How to Sew a Button: And Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew by Erin Bried

OW TO U SE B AKING S ODA A ROUND THE H OUSE

To Absorb Odors
    Step 1:
Identify stinky places—say, your fridge, your trash cans, your gym bag, your hamper.
    Step 2:
Set a breathable box of baking soda inside (it won’t spill), or if your smelly stuff is about to be washed anyway (ahem, your dirty laundry), sprinkle it directly on top.

To Polish Silver
    Step 1:
Inherit some silver or go buy some at a garage sale.
    Step 2:
Make a paste of three parts baking soda and one part water.
    Step 3:
Rub into silver with a soft cloth.
    Step 4:
Rinse with water and dry.

To Clean Your Countertops
    Step 1:
Wipe away any crumbs or spills.
    Step 2:
Sprinkle some baking soda on a damp cloth and scrub.
    Step 3:
Rinse with a clean damp cloth or sponge.

To Refresh Your Rugs
    Step 1:
Sprinkle baking soda directly onto your shag and let sit for 15 minutes.
    Step 2:
Suck it up (with a vacuum).
    Step 3:
Take a whiff and be pleased.

To De-crust Pots and Pans
    Step 1:
Sprinkle some baking soda on the gunk.
    Step 2:
Fill pan with hot water, and let soak overnight.
    Step 3:
Scrape off the crust in the morning and be amazed at how easily it comes off.
    Step 4:
Vow to set a timer the next time you cook so you won’t burn food onto the bottoms of your pans anymore.

To Freshen Fido or Fifi
    Step 1:
If you can’t swing a full-on bubble bath, sprinkle some baking soda directly on your dog or cat’s fur and brush it through.
    Step 2:
Sprinkle some more on her bed and, if she has one, in her litter box, too.
    Step 3:
Put a bow or bandana around her neck. It won’t do anything for the smell, but she’ll look so cute and that’ll make it a little better.

To Clean Up Grease Spills
    Step 1:
Sprinkle baking soda directly on the spill, whether it’s in your kitchen or your garage.
    Step 2:
Scrub with a wet brush or rag.

To Extinguish a Fire
    Step 1:
Try to remain calm and collected. It’s time for action. You can freak out later.
    Step 2:
To put out the flames, scatter baking soda all over them. It works on any kind of fire, including electrical and grease fires.
    Step 3:
Check yourself and your surroundings for damage.
    Step 4:
Freak out now, if you must, but then give yourself a pat on the back for averting disaster.

To Clean the Grill
    Step 1:
Get a little girl-on-grill action going by sprinkling baking soda directly on your rack.
    Step 2:
Then remove the rack and soak it for a couple of hours to overnight in hot, soapy water.
    Step 3:
Scrub with a wire brush and return to the grill.

To Spruce Up Your Patio Furniture
    Step 1:
Mix ¼ cup baking soda with 1 quart warm water.
    Step 2:
Using a soft rag, wipe down your chaise with the solution.
    Step 3:
Go over it once more using a clean, damp rag.
    Step 4:
Relax and rejoice. Summertime is here!

Dressing

You can look fantastic without running up your credit cards. Be smart about what you buy. Take care of what you own, and wear it until you wear it out
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Save Your Shirt

    “My grandma taught me how to sew a big button on a navy peacoat when I was ten years old. I was very proud of myself. From then on I was sewing buttons on everyone’s shirts.”
    —M ILDRED K ALISH
H OW TO S EW A B UTTON
    Step 1:
Gather your supplies. You’ll need a replacement button, a needle, about two feet of matching thread, and a pair of scissors.
    Step 2:
Thread the needle, pulling one end of the thread through to meet the other. Knot the ends together by making a loop and pulling the tails through. Knot once more, and trim off any excess.
    Step 3:
Locate your button’s proper spot by eyeballing where it was before it fell off. Look for either some old broken thread (and remove it) or a few tiny holes in the fabric from where the thread once was. If you can see where it should go, fasten your other buttons, pass a pin through the hole of the renegade, and mark that spot with chalk or pencil.

    Step 4:
Push your needle up through the back of the fabric to the front, pulling the thread all the way through. Slide your