Baking Soda, Avocados & Aphids

Author

Joan Clark
September 14, 2026

Sponsored by

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Hi there,

Do you have questions about keeping your home fresh, your garden thriving, and your kitchen running smoothly? We've found answers to help you tackle challenges with confidence.

In today's issue:

  • The Surprising Power of Baking Soda Around Your Home

  • Natural Sprays That Keep Aphids Off Your Plants

  • The Right Way to Freeze Avocados

  • And more…

CLEANING

We once watched a chef rescue a scorched pot with nothing but baking soda and hot water—no scrubbing, no chemicals, just chemistry doing its quiet work . This humble box of baking soda sitting in the back of the pantry can deodorize a refrigerator, soothe a sunburn, and even help roses bloom brighter.

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FOOD STORAGE

Avocados ripen faster than anyone can eat them, and tossing out brown, mushy fruit feels like throwing money in the trash. We found three foolproof freezing methods that keep avocados green, creamy, and ready for smoothies or toast whenever the craving hits.

TIP OF THE DAY

Dull Railing No More

Clean the surface before polishing, or you'll grind grime into the metal and dull the finish. Wipe down the entire railing with warm water and a few drops of dish soap, then dry completely with a microfiber cloth.

Apply a nickel-size amount of metal polish to a soft cloth and work in small circles, one section at a time, for about 30 seconds per foot. Buff with a clean, dry cloth immediately after to prevent residue buildup.

BUG CONTROL

A single aphid colony can strip a rose bush bare in less than a week, turning lush green leaves into sticky, curled shadows of themselves. These eight homemade spray recipes use pantry staples to stop the aphid invasion without harsh chemicals, protecting both the garden and the beneficial insects that call it home.

FUN FACT

Vintage Levi's Sold for Six Figures

A single pair of 1880s Levi's sold at auction for $87,000 in 2018, and another pair from a Nevada mining town fetched $114,000 in 2022. Collectors hunt for specific details: leather patches, single back pockets, and copper rivets in places the company later removed.

Fewer than 100 pairs from the 1800s survive today, making them rarer than many classic paintings.

THANK YOU!

You've got baking soda for fifty jobs, aphid recipes that actually work, and avocados that won't turn brown overnight . Your home, garden, and snack drawer just became a whole lot easier to manage.

Keep your garden thriving,

Tipsbulletin Newsletter Team

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