Most useful things to keep on hand?

**FrugalWitch** · 08-22-2008, 11:39 PM

What do you keep on hand that has many uses? Here's my short list:

White Vinegar
Baking Soda
Duct Tape
Vaseline (generic petroleum jelly actually, it's cheaper)
Bread ties

**Cricketlegs** · 08-23-2008, 12:14 AM

essential oils--I use them in all my cleaning and fresheners
So cheap and so effective

**kittykatstrong** · 08-23-2008, 12:39 AM

My DH, just kidding

clear nail polish
rags

**heartofmine** · 08-23-2008, 08:33 AM

I first misunderstood the question so I'm editing.

bleach
ammonia
vinegar
baking soda
old cleaning rags
old tooth brush
SOS pads
Magic Eraser

**elphie** · 08-23-2008, 09:37 AM

definately agreeing with the white vinegar and baking soda, also borax.

ETA: bread bags... very handy for storage.

**Squirt** · 08-23-2008, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by Cricketlegs

essential oils--I use them in all my cleaning and fresheners
So cheap and so effective

Which oils do you use and how much? I have a handful which I use for making flyspray for the horses, and a few others which I thought would smell nice, but I can't seem to find a combination that I really like just for scent purposes.

**cab54** · 08-23-2008, 11:47 AM

All you've mentioned here +

WD40
masking tape
sewing machine
needle nosed pliers and screwdriver, in kitchen junk drawer
batteries (buy in bulk)

**Cricketlegs** · 08-23-2008, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by Squirt

Which oils do you use and how much? I have a handful which I use for making flyspray for the horses, and a few others which I thought would smell nice, but I can't seem to find a combination that I really like just for scent purposes.

For HOUSEHOLD purposes and NOT body I use the Walmart oils. They only cost $2 for a nice bottle.

My favorites are gardenia, sandalwood, vanilla, and I love the lavendar.

I usually pour half a bottle into a spray bottle for fabreeze because I have pets and I NEED strong scents.

Test before you spray--my furnature is brown lol.

I put water, olive oil, and essential oils--usually lemon or orange in a canning jar for polishing the furnature.

I will often put a few drops in vinegar and water and wipe hard surfaces.

Drops in water in a candle holder put on my candle warmer smell nice to.

My favorite oils are lavendar and gardenia.

**Clutterbug Jen** · 08-24-2008, 02:12 AM

All I can think of is a flash light.

**qtkitty** · 08-24-2008, 02:47 AM

super glue ( cuts, broken things ect.)
toothpaste (white paste kind you can use to culk nail holes in your wall, for on bug bites, bushing teeth, cleaning brass. )
Rubbing alchohol ( getting poison ivy oils off items, skin, and pets )
Peroxide ( to get blood out of clothing )
Corn Starch ( back up baby powder, kid deversion ...move it its a solid let it sit it melts/ AKA you can make shapes and watch them melt *lol*, mix with bleach and smooch to vertical areas like toliet bowl to get it clean ... saw that on BBC's How clean is your house?, and of course good ole gravy if i'm having one of those lumpy days with flour. )