Some interesting things I've learned being a "homemaker."
Great Uses for Dryer Sheets
It really is true that a dryer sheet will help loosen baked on/caked on/burnt food from a dish.
My own experiences:
Also, baby wipes work pretty darn well at removing small stains from clothes and carpet. I've actually gotten red lipstick off my white shirt using baby wipes.
Use rubbing alcohol or hairspray to remove ballpoint ink stains from clothes (it takes some effort, but it'll come off)
I love Oxiclean. I really really do--even to get stains off my carpet--works wonders on chocolate stains, mustard and ketchup.
To prevent buildup in your garbage disposal, I'll spill some vinegar and baking soda into it, let it sit for a few mintues, that flush it out.
If some child was to vomit on your carpet, clean up as much as you can with Resolve or soap and water. To get rid of the smell completely, sprinkle with baking soda and salt and leave overnight. Then vacuum it a few times (use your upholstery brush) and there will be no trace of any barf.
If you're cooking desi salan, or anything heavy on the onions, keep a bowl of charcoal briquettes (the kinds you use in your BBQ) and a separate bowl of white vinegar near the cooking site. It'll prevent the smell from permeating the whole house.
Natural ways to control ants: there are certain things ants really hate--so I'll either sprinkle the following things or leave a plate out near the source:
cloves, baby powder, mint, cinnamon, cayenne pepper.