Once, when I thought I was ordering Boots night cream (see previous post – love that stuff too) I accidently ordered Booth’s Shea Butter Nighttime Dream Cream.

Lucky me, because I love this stuff. I like to switch it up. Like my shampoos, conditioners, and hair care products, I have several nighttime moisturizers and eye creams. I think if you combine all the goodness from each product you are bound to end up looking like a goddess. And I do. At least in my mind.

Love Booth’s Shea Butter Nighttime Dream Cream because it is thick but not sticky. I use this product more in the winter because it is so thick, and I always seem to think I need to really slop it on in the winter. Did I mention inexpensive? Always a plus. It is a very small jar, but it will last you a long time. Especially if you switch it up with other products.

Booth has an entire line of products, including day creams, hand creams, body scrubs, and eye creams. Excuse me while I go order some more products.

Thinkgeek.com – oh how I love you. You always have the best techno gifts, and a few funny ones too. Yes, yes, I know I have done a previous post about this site but you cannot cover all their stuff in one post. Don’t be surprised if you see another one in the future. That goes for all my posts. I’m old. I may forget and repost something too.

iPad bluetooth keyboard case

If you want to get really high tech- or geeky – how about a virtual keyboard for the iPhone or iPad?

Tre cool, huh?

Laser guided scissors (Out of stock as of this writing. They will restock. Or we will hurt them).

How about a bluetooth watch with caller ID?

The hidden wall safe

Electronic guitar shirt (they also carry shirts for piano and drums)

Bubble wrap keychain

They have stuff for babies, pets, kitchen, and office.  They have shirts, books, and lots of gadgets.  I quadruple love this site.  Never disappoints.

Grandparent’s Day is September 11th.  I wanted to give you some ideas that would give you enough time (hopefully) to personalize and receive in time. Wonder if my granddog will be getting me something?

Here’s a few ideas from etsy.  I’ve sung the praises of the etsy in a previous post.  They are a one stop marketplace for handmade items.  If you are looking for a unique, one of a kind gift, etsy is your place.

Cute frame for $36 from etsy seller LulieDecorDesigns.

Photo collage for $10 from etsy seller Craftsbymrsg.

Handpainted platter for $45 from etsy seller Cherman47

Glass frame for $30 from etsy seller Kristenalane

Personalized Hand Stamped Keychain for $9.95 from etsy seller Rmsmith09.

Personalized Hand Stamped Necklace for $55 from etsy seller Anniereh.

Be sure and check out these vendors’ other store items.

Don’t forget to check out my previous posts for personalized gift ideas which would be great for a grandparent.

Mosaic Photo

The Vintage Pearl

Monogrammed Makeup Bag

Shutterfly Photo Book

Design a Kleenex Box

iPhone Photo Skin

Photo Canvas Art

I hope this helps in giving you some ideas for your grandparents.

I read an article yesterday about cleaning the grates or burners on your stove by putting 1/4 cup of ammonia in a large plastic bag along with the grate or burner and letting it sit overnight to get rid of the crud on the grate. The article I read said to leave it outside on a cookie sheet because of the fumes are so strong.  One grate or burner per bag. The idea isn’t for it to soak but for the fumes to dissolve all the grease and hardened oil. I have a gas stovetop that has burners that were covered in gunk from the day we bought the house.  I have tried everything! Nothing got this stuff off.  I even looked at replacing the grates, but at $200, it just didn’t make sense.  I thought I had to live with these disgusting things until I finally forked up the moolah to purchase a new stovetop. Guess what? This little gem worked like a charm.

Which reminded me. I have a few other household cleaning products I do around the house that I thought I would share with you.

My favorite is something a carpet cleaner shared with me years ago.  He said if you purchase those spot removers at the store they do nothing but trap the dirt and make it worse. You know what, he was right.  I looked at the areas where I had put spot treatment and they were the filthiest areas.  I was making the problem worse instead of better.  He told me to use two tablespoons of powdered dishwashing detergent in a spray bottle with VERY HOT water to dissolve the stuff.  I use this all the time.  I just make up a fresh batch whenever I need it (because the stuff really works best with the hot water and the spray bottles always get clogged if I leave it).  It works great on carpet and upholstery.  I use it on my car mats too.  Try it!

Second tip is about three or four times a year I take a cup filled with vinegar and sit it on the bottom of my empty dishwasher.  It cleans the inside of the dishwasher and gets rid of any soap build-up you have in your dishwasher.  This tip came via a dishwasher repairman who told me my problem was I was using too much soap and it was leaving a coating on my plastic tumblers and storage containers.  He told me to start using the pre-measured tablets so that I wouldn’t overuse, and to clean it with vinegar three to four times a year.  You know what? It works! Why would I share these tips with you otherwise?

You can also put vinegar in an empty washing machine and do the same thing.  Gets rid of the gunk and grit.

Hate those pesky price stickers that won’t come off? Try a blow dryer first to heat it up and loosen the sticker.  Then if there is anything remaining just spray a little windex to soak the rest of it off.

Once I was at my brother’s house when he was single and my son and I took turns throwing a rag to his ceiling fan and watching all the filth fall down.  And he wasn’t even embarrassed! Best way to clean a ceiling fan without having a bunch of dust bunnies fall in your face is to take a pillowcase over the blade and wipe off the blade. Then all the dust stays inside the pillowcase.  I’m a genius, right?

Finally, let me just hit on the beauty of the bounce fabric sheets. I use them in drawers, cabinets, pantry, closets, and the bottom of my trash cans (under the liner) to keep them smelling fresh.  Try sticking one in your luggage after a trip.  Stick one under your car seat and in the trunk as an air freshener.  Stick them inside of smelly shoes and in the bottom of your clothes hamper.  Don’t tell Matthew, but I run one across my little granddog when I babysit him so he doesn’t smell.

Do you have any great household cleaning tips? Please share with me in the comment section! Happy Cleaning!