These little cubes of frozen solace can do more than create a satisfying glass of lemonade. They can heal a bruise on your shin more quickly and even get rid of the fat in your stew.
Now you have a legit reason to handle ice, other than the sweltering heat.
1. Reheat rice
Microwaving old rice used to mean hard and dried out starch. Change that by placing an ice cube in the center of the rice and then wrapping the top with plastic wrap, with a few punctures of course, before reheating it.
2. Steam out wrinkles
You're dreading doing laundry because it's so hot out. Grab just a few ice cubes and throw them into the dryer to steam out wrinkles on dry shirts and pants (but not jeans or heavy clothes).
3. Speed up caulking
When you're having tons of fun caulking your bathtub, rub an ice cube along the caulk to smooth it.
4. Skim the fat from soup
Defat your soups and stews by dropping a few ice cubes in warm -- not hot -- soup. Ladle them out after a few seconds and you'll find excess fat clinging to them.
5. Remove chewing gum
Gum on your table or carpet? Get it ready for removal by hardening it with an ice cube and scraping that sucker off.
6. Thicken salad dressings instantly
Upgrade your oil-based salad dressing by placing an ice cube in the container before shaking it up. The ice will harden the oil, making the consistency of the dressing thicker. Get rid of the ice cube and serve promptly.
7. Brush out carpet dents
Upon moving furniture, you may discover really hard dents in your carpet. Letting an ice cube melt in the dent and then brushing it out when it's wet and soft will solve that unsightly problem.
8. Water plants
Water plants in a pinch by dropping a few ice cubes in its pot, making sure that the ice doesn't touch the roots but thoroughly moistens the soil.
9. Mask the taste of medicine
This isn't only reserved for kids. Give anyone who doesn't like the taste of medicine an ice cube to numb their tongue beforehand.
