How to Get Your Mac to Read a Webpage to You

Would you like to read through a webpage, but don't have the time? Are you more of an auditory learner? If you are, this tip is for you!

If you use Safari, you can get your computer to read a webpage to you. Here's what you need to do:

1. Open up a webpage using the Safari browser.

2. Highlight the text you'd like to hear.

3. Right-click on the highlighted text. A menu will pop up. Select "Speech" and then "Start Speaking."

4. Your computer will start reading to you! If you need it to stop, select "Stop Speaking."

There you have it - a way for your Mac to read webpages to you. I've been using this while I've been working on packing for our upcoming move, and it's really helped to keep me entertained. Hope this tip helps you too.

How to Get Yucky White Residue Out of Your Dishwasher

Is there a white film all over the surfaces in your dishwasher. Are your glasses consistently coming out cloudy? You may need to clean out the dishwasher and switch up your dishwashing products in order to remove the residue.

Two years ago, we had to buy a new dishwasher. Our old one had kicked the bucket, so it was time for us to replace it. Unfortunately, the dishwasher we had was a European model, and it was just slightly less wide than most dishwashers built in the United States. We were forced to replace the dishwasher with a more expensive European model because the less expensive US models simply would not fit.

After clunking down over $1,000 for this tricked out dishwasher we didn't need, I started to notice that it wasn't getting our dishes clean. Everything was coming out with a yucky white residue on it, so I called the company we purchased our "superior" dishwasher from, Abt.

The technician came to our home, and told us the reason our dishwasher wasn't working was because we were using Cascade. Apparently, many dishwasher detergent companies changed up their formulas a few years ago, and it caused residue in some of the newer, European dishwashers.

I was ticked. First, I had to buy an uber-expensive dishwasher, and now I was going to have to buy uber-expensive detergent too?

Fortunately, the solution was simple and inexpensive. This is what we had to do to get the gunk out of our dishwasher.

1. Empty all dishes from the dishwasher.

2. Start the dishwasher on a regular cycle. About half way through the cycle, open the dishwasher to see if the little detergent tray has popped open. 

3. If the little door is still closed, close the dishwasher back up and check again in a few minutes. Once the detergent compartment has opened, pour two cups of vinegar directly into the dishwasher, close the door, and let the dishwasher continue through the cycle.

4. Repeat Step 3 until your are satisfied with the un-disgustingness of your dishwasher.

5. Give your Cascade (or whatever detergent you're using) to a good person who has a lovely, US-model dishwasher.

6. Purchase Finish detergent. It doesn't leave residue behind. I was skeptical about using Finish, because I thought it seemed like an off-brand that wouldn't work well, but it's been great for us!

Alternative: If you're in a bigger hurry, you could try purchasing a dishwasher cleaner like Affresh. It may clean our your dishwasher more quickly than using vinegar. But, you'll still have to change detergents for everyday use.

So, that yucky residue in your dishwasher can be removed! It will just take vinegar, Finish detergent, and a whole lot of patience! Good luck with getting your dishwasher back to normal.

(Note: This post may contain affiliate links.)

How Connect Directly to Someone's Voicemail

Need to return a call? Don't want to? Wish you could just leave a message and not have to talk to the person? Now you can!

Slydial is a service that you can use to be connected directly to someone's cell phone voicemail. As far as I can tell, it doesn't work for regular landlines. The service is free, but you do have to listen to a short advertisement before your call goes through. In my mind, it's well worth it to listen to the advertisement to be able to save time by just leaving a message.

I used Slydial the other day to leave a message for my friend while she was in a meeting. I didn't want to disturb her, but I wanted to give her specific information about where we were going to meet for dinner. I actually told her that I used Slydial so I wouldn't embarass her during her meeting, and she was very appreciative.

Others use Slydial to avoid making calls that might be awkward, long, or difficult. Whether this is ethical is up for debate. It's up to you to decide how you want to use this free tool.

To use Slydial, do the following:

1. Call 267-SLYDIAL (267-759-3425) from a cell phone or a landline.

2. One you are connected, you'll hear a short ad and then a voice prompt. When you hear the voice prompt, enter the phone number of the person you want to "slydial."

3. As your call is connecting, you will hear another short advertisement. It's about 10 seconds long.

4. Your call will be connected directly to the person's voicemail.

5. Leave a voicemail, and hang up. You're done!


Slydial also offers a premium service for $2.95/month that doesn't have any advertising. Personally, I don't use Slydial enough to make it worth the expense, and I don't mind the advertisements.

There you have it! You can use Slydial to call someone's cell phone voicemail directly. It saves time, and could potentially get you out of some awkward situations.

What do you think about using Slydial?

(Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By using them, you will be supporting this site. Thank you!)

How to Unclog a Spray Bottle

Spray bottle clogged? Hoping to get a little more life out of it? I depend on spray bottles for little cleanups throughout the day, so when a sprayer malfunctions, I'm so disappointed. If you're in the same predicament,  try these steps:

1. Soak the part of the sprayer that you think is clogged in a bowl of hot water. After about 10 minutes, check to see if it's fixed. If it's not,

2. Soak the part of the sprayer that's clogged in a solution of vinegar and water for about 30 minutes. Check to see if it's fixed. If it's not,

3. Use a can of compressed air (the stuff you use to clean computer keyboards is perfect), to spray the part that's clogged.

Hopefully one of these solutions will work for you! Do you have any suggestions for fixing clogged spray bottles? Leave your ideas and links in the comments below.

(Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them, you will be supporting this site. Thank you!)

How to Cure Cracked Heels

Ugh. Cracked heels are a huge bummer. This year I've been battling dry skin even more than usual, and my heels have been a mess. I finally found this regimen that helped to reduce the dry skin build up and cracking on my heels. Here it is:

1. Wipe feet with Stridex Pads. This helps to break down some of the dry skin already on your feet.

2. Apply petroleum jelly to heels and rest of feet.

3. Immediately put on socks.

4. Leave socks on overnight while petroleum jelly moisturizes your heels.

That's it!

What do you do to get rid of cracked heels? 

(Note: This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting this site!)

Remove Salt Stains from Hardwood Floors

If you live in a part of the country that gets a lot of snow, you are probably constantly cleaning up salt stains from when people enter your home. Even if visitors have the best of intentions, and take their shoes off before entering your home, salt stains are pretty much inevitable. Keeping up with cleaning the salt stains is a huge pain.

One strategy for making cleanup easier is to prepare a solution of 1/2 gallon of water and 1/2 cup of vinegar.  Put the solution into a spray bottle so you'll have it handy for frequent cleanups. When you see a salt stain on your floor, spray it with the solution, and then use a wet sponge to wipe up the mess. Dry off the floor and check to see if the stain is gone. Repeat as needed.

What tips do you have for getting salt off of hardwood floors? Leave your tips and/or links in the comments.

(Note: The link in this post is my referral link. Thank you for supporting this site!)