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

by Editors of Reader's Digest (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Save the day with over 2,300 clever, ingenious, smart ways to use everyday household products—all guaranteed to save you time and money!

Did you know that tea can hide gray hair? Or that aspirin can revive a dead car battery? How about the power of table salt to make panty hose last longer? Or that shaving cream can remove rug stains? Yes, there’s a treasure trove hidden in your pantry, medicine cabinet, garage, and basement. This remarkable book shares amazing secrets to save you time and money—and shelf space in the process. Fully illustrated and written in a clear, down-to-earth style, this practical guide contains over 2,300 handy tips about using more than 200 common household items like aluminum foil and dental floss in exciting new ways. Don’t spend your hard-earned money on expensive storebought products. Restore, replace, repair, or revive practically everything in your home with this indispensable handbook that features:

• Nearly 400 full-color illustrations
• Easy A-to-Z format to find items easily
• Clear, step-by-step instructions
• At-a-Glance section provides the Best Uses for every item
• Hundreds of sidebars full of extra tips and informative ideas
• Complete index for cross-referencing

Throughout, Did You Know?, Science Fair, and Kids’ Stuff sidebars add to the wonder and fun of this easy-to-use reference. From Alka-Seltzer to baby shampoo, pepper to pillowcases, vinegar to yogurt—discover the untold value of hundreds of everyday items with Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Readers Digest (March 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762106492
• ISBN-13: 978-0762106493
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,481 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #14 in

  Books > Home & Garden > How-to & Home Improvements > Household Hints

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 64 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 500 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!

38 of 38 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.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars extraordinary hints for the ordinary person!, April 12, 2007

By	Lilith (In the kitchen) - See all my reviews

Yes, how cheesy sounding that was, but really, this book is worth it's weight in gold. Listed in this book are so many common, inexpensive items that the majority of us have in our households right now. It is a great reference source for advice on cleaning and just using natural products if you prefer that over using harsh chemicals. I honestly did not know that you could use those tablets to clean dentures to clean your toilet. This would make a very interesting gift for anyone. It isn't just cleaning tips but there are beauty tips, solutions for burned foods, organizing and first aid advice. This book is like a "jack of trades" when it comes to truly ordinary items.