Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things (Readers Digest) [Hardcover]

READERS DIGEST (Author)

Book Description

Series: Readers Digest | Publication Date: April 27, 2007

Discover the amazing hidden talents of more than 200 common household items in this ingenious book. You will be astonished to find out what can be cleaned, fixed, replaced or even saved with just a dollop of toothpaste, a sprinkling of baby powder, a dash of salt or a banana skin. With more than 2000 crafty tried-and-tested tips, you will find yourself saving both time and money. There is a gold mine of resources in your home and "Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things" is the key to it.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Readers Digest (April 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0276441958
• ISBN-13: 978-0276441950
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,337,854 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

100 of 104 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Many useful ideas that you'll want to try!, August 17, 2006

By 

Blaine Greenfield "eclectic reader" (Belle Meade, NJ) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Extraordinary Uses For Ordinary Things (Hardcover)

I often see ads that promise you all sorts of money-saving
secrets . . . one, though, did catch my attention to the extent
that I even sent away for it: EXTRAORDINARY USES FOR
ORDINARY THINGS, published by Reader's Digest.

The top of the book promises "1,200 money-saving secrets,"
and while I don't know that I will be able to use all of them,
there were quite a lot that caught my attention--and that I might
even someday try.

For example, there was this one:
To keep ice cream smooth and free of those annoying, yucky
ice crystals that form once the container has been opened--rewrap
the container completely in plastic wrap before you return it
to the freezer. Or put the container inside a large seal-sealing
plastic bag.

And here's another that I liked:
To fix tiny holes in your window screens, just dab some clear
nail polish over the holes. It will stop those tiny (and often biting)
insects in their tracks.

I was amazed that there were so many other products that I could
use for a whole host of purposes, including bread, dental floss,
mayonnaise, oatmeal, sandpaper, and straws.

Several boxed inserts added to my enjoyment of EXTRAORDINARY
USES, such as this one that gave me background on the
development of a shampoo icon:

One of the longest-running advertising campaigns in history, "the
Break Girl," was the brainchild of Edward Breck, a member of the
family that started Breck Shampoo Co. The ads, featuring
wholesome, beautiful girls with gorgeous hair, began in 1936,
during the Great Depression, although they didn't go national until
1947. Only two artists were used during the 40-year campaign. The
best known was Ralph William Williams, who took over the job
in 1957. Among the models for Williams's Breck girls were
Cybill Shepherd, Kim Bassinger and Brooke Shields--all unknowns
at the time. The campaign ceased soon after Williams's death
in 1976.

Lastly, I've always heard that vinegar could be used for many
reasons other than cooking--but the total of 188 surprised
me . . . yet that said, I will now know to use the product
to steam-clean my microwave:

To clean your microwave, place a glass bowl filled with 1/4 cup vinegar
in 1 cup water inside, and zap the mixture for five minutes on the
highest setting. Once the liquid cools, dip a cloth into it and wipe off
stains and splatters.

What an idea. What a book!

54 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, but Look for a Bargain, June 26, 2006

By 

Chris - See all my reviews

This review is from: Extraordinary Uses For Ordinary Things (Hardcover)

This book is fantastic. I saved probably $50 and have only had it a month...using newspaper instead of Painter's Blue Tape alone saved me a lot of money.

I read it cover to cover in 2 days, and recommend it highly.

My only complaint is that I paid too much for it. I paid $40 for it and within 2 weeks Reader's Digest offered it for $9.99.

If you can find it for $10 or so, go for it. Excellent book chock full of useful info.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fun and useful, June 23, 2007

By 

Jennifer - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things: 2,317 Ways to Save Money and Time (Paperback)

I never thought I would enjoy this book as much as I have been. It is 400 pages of fun facts with all those things you would find in your home and all the normal problems you would run in to. For example, onions remove rust stains from silverware, use bananas as a face mask, nail polish to remove warts, vinegar for carpet stains and to defrost windsheilds, beer and salt to make windows frosty for the Christmas holidays, use a vacuum nozzle with a pair of pantyhose to find that valuable object on the floor without sucking it up, etc.. I love this book! =)