A kitchen scrub pad is traditionally used in most homes for washing dishes, ensuring the cleanliness of plates, pots, and other utensils. However, few people know that this small item can be useful for cleaning many other things around the house. Often, old scrub pads are thrown away, although they can be useful for various household tasks.
If you think that a scrub pad is solely for making dishes shine, you are mistaken. There are many ways to use a dishwashing scrub pad in daily life.
The scrub pad is very effective at removing grease and spice stains accumulated on gas stoves and burners. With a mild cleaning agent, you should gently wipe the stove so that dirt comes off easily.
To make the kitchen sink shine, where water spots and grease often accumulate, you can use the scrub pad together with liquid detergent. This will help the sink look as clean and shiny as before.
An old scrub pad can be set aside for cleaning the bathroom. It is excellent for cleaning tiles and removing soap scum and dirt around faucets.
The scrub pad can help clean the soles of white or athletic sneakers, which get dirty quickly. To remove dirt from the sole, it is enough to apply a little soap or detergent and clean it with the scrub pad, which will make the shoes look tidier.
The scrub pad also helps remove stubborn stains from turmeric, oil, and spices from plastic containers if wiped carefully.
If there is dust and dirt in the tracks of window sliders, a sponge scrub pad can be used. It effectively removes accumulated dirt even in corners. A soft sponge can also clean window panes without extra effort, making them clean and shiny.
It is recommended to use a separate scrub pad for cleaning plastic trays and refrigerator shelves. This ensures that dirt is removed from hard-to-reach places without excessive rubbing.
Dishwashing scrub sponges can also be used for drying clothes. To do this, place several clean sponges in a plastic container, add a little fabric softener, and leave it overnight. After that, the sponges must be thoroughly dried. When drying clothes in a dryer, these sponges are placed first, followed by the clothes, which helps maintain a pleasant aroma and reduce excess moisture.
Furthermore, the scrub pad can serve as the basis for a homemade ice pack. For minor bruises or swelling, if you don't have a ready-made pack, you can wet a clean sponge scrub pad, place it in a zip-lock bag, and freeze it. This simple and inexpensive home method can be used as a cold compress.
The draw for Mega-Sena contest 3034 was scheduled to take place on Tuesday night, the 21st, at 9 PM. The prize associated with this draw was estimated at R$ 42 million.
Although the winning numbers for contest 3034 had not been released at the time of publication, the report promised to update this information as soon as the result was released. It was also mentioned that Caixa will make changes to lottery draws, moving Saturday contests to Sunday starting in 2026.
For reference, the result of the previous contest, 3033, held on Sunday, the 19th, was: 18 – 21 – 23 – 43 – 55 – 58. The next scheduled draw is number 3035, expected on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
The ten most recent results from Mega-Sena draws were listed, including:
The redemption process varies depending on the prize amount. For gross amounts up to R$ 2,428.79, redemption can be done at any accredited lottery house or at Caixa branches. Online bettors also have the option to transfer the prize to Mercado Pago in this case.
Gross prizes starting from R$ 2,428.80 require payment exclusively at Caixa branches, necessitating the presentation of the original identity proof with CPF and the winning bet receipt.
For prizes of R$ 10,000.00 or more, payment is processed within a period of up to two business days, counted from the delivery of the document at a Caixa Branch.
Mega-Sena draws occur three times a week: on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. The times are set as 9 PM for Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 11 AM on Sundays, all in Brasília time.
To participate, simply place a simple bet by marking six numbers out of the 60 available. Bets must be placed by 8 PM for Tuesday and Thursday draws, and by 10 PM on Saturday for the Sunday draw. The sale of electronic pools ends 15 minutes before the start of each contest.
The bettor wins prizes by matching four numbers (quadra), five numbers (quina), or six numbers (sena).
Whole grain muffins are a healthy treat high in fiber, made from whole wheat flour, wheat germ, and natural sweetness that raisins can provide. This simple muffin has sparked quite an animated discussion among culinary enthusiasts.
Some believe that the presence of a handful of sweet, juicy raisins makes the whole grain muffin perfect, while others prefer to bake it without raisins to highlight the nutty flavor of the whole grain base. Regardless of the choice, whole grain muffins are an accessible and nutritious dish suitable for breakfast, lunch, or tea time.
This recipe works well with or without raisins, allowing everyone to enjoy them to their liking. The ingredients required are 2 cups of wheat bran, 1½ cups of cake flour, ½ cup of brown sugar, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, ½ teaspoon of salt, 2 eggs, 1 cup of buttermilk (or regular yogurt), ⅓ cup of sunflower or rapeseed oil, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 cup of raisins (optional).
To begin, preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and prepare 12 muffin cups by greasing them or lining them with paper liners. In a large bowl, mix the bran, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Then, gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry and gently mix until combined, avoiding overmixing so the muffins do not become dense.
If using raisins, fold them into the batter. Distribute the mixture evenly into the cups, filling each about three-quarters full. Bake the muffins for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Afterward, let the muffins cool for five minutes before transferring them to a rack to cool completely.
Adding raisins gives the muffins a natural sweetness and a pleasant chewy texture that pairs well with the earthy flavor of the bran. They are especially delicious warm with butter. However, if you dislike raisins, the version without them will also be quite satisfying.
In celebration of Father's Day 2026, the Garmin Forerunner 165 has been put on sale on Amazon, available for R$ 1,899, with the option to pay in up to 10 interest-free installments. This sports smartwatch, originally priced at R$ 2,749, features a 30% reduction and is suggested as an ideal gift for physically active fathers.
The Garmin Forerunner 165 weighs only 39 grams and incorporates a 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen protected by reinforced glass. Its body is constructed from fiber-reinforced polymer and it has a 5 ATM water resistance certification.
This sports watch includes Garmin Coach, a feature that generates individualized training programs based on data provided by professional coaches. This tool helps runners prepare for competitions ranging from 5 KM to half marathon (21.1 KM), recording training metrics and establishing recovery routines.
Additionally, the integrated GPS allows mapping routes during outdoor exercises, providing precise data on time, distance, speed, and pace. Besides running, the device tracks several other modalities, such as cycling, swimming, yoga, Pilates, and tennis.
Beyond physical activity metrics, the smartwatch is equipped with health sensors that monitor vital parameters such as heart rate, stress levels, blood oxygen saturation, and sleep quality. All this data is used by Garmin Coach to adapt workouts to the user's specific profile.
The watch can be connected to both Android and iPhone smartphones via Bluetooth. This integration allows for receiving notifications directly on the wrist, controlling media, and making contactless payments using Garmin Pay.
Considering the promotional price of R$ 1,899 (or up to 10 interest-free installments), the Garmin Forerunner 165 offers a battery life of up to 11 days in smartwatch mode. However, when GPS and all health and activity features are used, the watch's operating time decreases to about 19 hours.
