SamsoniteDelilah
06-12-06, 11:29 PM
I caught a tv show yesterday where this guy was showing all these easy, inexpensive ways to do things. I love learning little ways to do things more easily, so I took notes. [/super nerd] I wrote down around 40 of his, and he has a book with over 2000, so I figured you Mofos probably have some of your own to kick in, too.
Fabric Stain Remover: dissolve Borax (an old fashioned powdered soap, really cheap) in hot water and scrub out the stain - works on dried chocolate. Mechanic's hand cleaner (Gojo, I think it's called...) also works great for stains.
Getting a ring off your finger: thread a 2' piece of dental floss under the ring and wrap the long end of it down the finger, smashing down the flesh, then pull the short end of the thread and it pulls the ring down and off.
Fogged up bathroom mirrors: to keep it from fogging up, apply a layer of shaving cream and wipe it away with a towel until you can't see it. Lasts up to four weeks.
Storing onions and potatioes: drop an onion down the legs of a pair of pantyhose, tie a knot above it and repeat til the leg(s) is full. You can use both legs and then hang this hilarious looking contraption in your pantry. It keeps the veggies separate so if one goes bad, it doesn't infect the others, and allows air flow.
Cleaning your stove's grease filter: dissolve 1/2 c water softener powder in a basin of hot water and soak the filter, then scrub with a firm toothbrush.
Cleaning tarnished silver: dissolve 1T water softener powder and 1T salt per quart of hot water, stir to dissolve salts, add a sheet of aluminum foil and then dip your sterling silver. Note: I did this today and it worked pretty well.
Copper cleaner: cut a fresh lemon into quarters, dip a chunk in salt and scrub the copper. The chemical combo turns the copper back to pink. Rinse immediately and dry.
Grout and tile cleaner: 1T ammonia, 3cups water, 1t water softener powder, 1T white vinegar. Mix in a spray bottle and spray on, allow to penetrate grout and scrub with brush.
Chip-proof your nail polish: apply white vinegar to nails, dry, an then polish them as usual. Also works as paint primer on walls.
Picnic bug-repellant: use mint as a garnish. Bugs hate the smell of mint.
Recipie holder: use a wooden, clamp-style pants hanger and hang it over your cupboard door. Keeps the book open and out of the mess unless you're a spaz.
Carpet cleaner: miz 1t white vinegar, 1/2 t ammonia, 1T dish soap and 3/4 c water. Put into a foam dispensing container (not a spray bottle) or whip with an egg beater to get foam. Apply just the lather to carpet (or upholstery) and then apply paper towels to lift moisture and dirt out.
Flatten out corners on area rugs- cut the corners off a self-adhesive floor tile and stick the corners on the underside of the corners of your rug. Keeps the edges from curling up.
Cleaner for plush toys: mix rubbing alcohol with equal part water and a little dish soap and spray onto toy, scrub with a toothbrush and allow to dry.
Remove permanent marker (like Sharpies): hair spray. The solvents in the spray dissolve the ink and it can be wiped off with a paper towel.
Leather sneakers: clean with ammonia (set outside to air and dry)
Carpet spot remover: shaving cream. Rub into stain, rinse with water and dry with paper towels. Allow to dry completely, then vaccuum.
Grass stain remover: spray with ammonia, scrub with toothbrush, rinse with cold water.
Pet hair remover: put on a rubber glove and roll the hair off the sofa (or what have you) using the glove.
Jar opener: wear rubber glove and twist the lid. :) Or for smaller bottles (like nail polish) wrap a rubber band around the cap. Either one provides a much better grip.
Soap scum on chrome: vinegar removes the scum and dries to a shine.
Ants: cucumber peelings, sprinkled with salt repels them. Sage repels them. They can't cross a chalk line (much like actors, that way).
For a shiny toaster, clean with soap, as needed, then finish with nail polish remover for a shine. Just avoid the plastic parts - they'll melt.
Water rings on wood furniture: rub with mayonnaise and let sit for 3-4 hours, wipe off.
Burned gravy - add 1t peanut butter. It masks the burned taste and doesn't make your gravy taste like peanuts.
Chewing gum removal from hair: peanutbutter. Then shampoo, or your hair will taste like peanuts.
Make pantyhose last longer: spray the toes with hairspray. It reinforces the toes without that ugly brown reinforced toe look.
Removing candlewax from carpet or fabric: place two layers of papertowel over affected carpet (over and under, if it's fabric) and iron with your iron on medium heat. Move paper towels around to soak up liquified wax. If there's a colored residue after all the wax is gone, it can be removed with rubbing alcohol and a toothbrush.
Removing candlewax from wood: use a blow dryer to liquify the wax and wipe off with paper towel. Remove residue with vinegar.
Remove rust stains on sink and tub: mix cream of tartar (from the spice rack) with 3% hydrogen peroxide into a paste and use as a scrub.
Scuff marks on shoes: scrubs off with toothpaste.
Cleaning burner pans from the stove: Make a thin paste of white vinegar and creme of tartar, let soak if needed. Scrub with a scouring sponge. Also works on casserole dishes with burned areas.
Furniture Polish: mix 1 part white vinegar, 1 part turpentine and 1 part boiled linseed oil. Apply liberally to wood, wipe off with a soft cloth. This mix will clean the wood and beautify the grain. Scented oils can be added - almond or orange or whatever.
Make clothing colorfast: mix vinegar, cold water and 1/4 c epsom salts in a basin and soak the clothes before washing them for about 10 min.
Fabric Stain Remover: dissolve Borax (an old fashioned powdered soap, really cheap) in hot water and scrub out the stain - works on dried chocolate. Mechanic's hand cleaner (Gojo, I think it's called...) also works great for stains.
Getting a ring off your finger: thread a 2' piece of dental floss under the ring and wrap the long end of it down the finger, smashing down the flesh, then pull the short end of the thread and it pulls the ring down and off.
Fogged up bathroom mirrors: to keep it from fogging up, apply a layer of shaving cream and wipe it away with a towel until you can't see it. Lasts up to four weeks.
Storing onions and potatioes: drop an onion down the legs of a pair of pantyhose, tie a knot above it and repeat til the leg(s) is full. You can use both legs and then hang this hilarious looking contraption in your pantry. It keeps the veggies separate so if one goes bad, it doesn't infect the others, and allows air flow.
Cleaning your stove's grease filter: dissolve 1/2 c water softener powder in a basin of hot water and soak the filter, then scrub with a firm toothbrush.
Cleaning tarnished silver: dissolve 1T water softener powder and 1T salt per quart of hot water, stir to dissolve salts, add a sheet of aluminum foil and then dip your sterling silver. Note: I did this today and it worked pretty well.
Copper cleaner: cut a fresh lemon into quarters, dip a chunk in salt and scrub the copper. The chemical combo turns the copper back to pink. Rinse immediately and dry.
Grout and tile cleaner: 1T ammonia, 3cups water, 1t water softener powder, 1T white vinegar. Mix in a spray bottle and spray on, allow to penetrate grout and scrub with brush.
Chip-proof your nail polish: apply white vinegar to nails, dry, an then polish them as usual. Also works as paint primer on walls.
Picnic bug-repellant: use mint as a garnish. Bugs hate the smell of mint.
Recipie holder: use a wooden, clamp-style pants hanger and hang it over your cupboard door. Keeps the book open and out of the mess unless you're a spaz.
Carpet cleaner: miz 1t white vinegar, 1/2 t ammonia, 1T dish soap and 3/4 c water. Put into a foam dispensing container (not a spray bottle) or whip with an egg beater to get foam. Apply just the lather to carpet (or upholstery) and then apply paper towels to lift moisture and dirt out.
Flatten out corners on area rugs- cut the corners off a self-adhesive floor tile and stick the corners on the underside of the corners of your rug. Keeps the edges from curling up.
Cleaner for plush toys: mix rubbing alcohol with equal part water and a little dish soap and spray onto toy, scrub with a toothbrush and allow to dry.
Remove permanent marker (like Sharpies): hair spray. The solvents in the spray dissolve the ink and it can be wiped off with a paper towel.
Leather sneakers: clean with ammonia (set outside to air and dry)
Carpet spot remover: shaving cream. Rub into stain, rinse with water and dry with paper towels. Allow to dry completely, then vaccuum.
Grass stain remover: spray with ammonia, scrub with toothbrush, rinse with cold water.
Pet hair remover: put on a rubber glove and roll the hair off the sofa (or what have you) using the glove.
Jar opener: wear rubber glove and twist the lid. :) Or for smaller bottles (like nail polish) wrap a rubber band around the cap. Either one provides a much better grip.
Soap scum on chrome: vinegar removes the scum and dries to a shine.
Ants: cucumber peelings, sprinkled with salt repels them. Sage repels them. They can't cross a chalk line (much like actors, that way).
For a shiny toaster, clean with soap, as needed, then finish with nail polish remover for a shine. Just avoid the plastic parts - they'll melt.
Water rings on wood furniture: rub with mayonnaise and let sit for 3-4 hours, wipe off.
Burned gravy - add 1t peanut butter. It masks the burned taste and doesn't make your gravy taste like peanuts.
Chewing gum removal from hair: peanutbutter. Then shampoo, or your hair will taste like peanuts.
Make pantyhose last longer: spray the toes with hairspray. It reinforces the toes without that ugly brown reinforced toe look.
Removing candlewax from carpet or fabric: place two layers of papertowel over affected carpet (over and under, if it's fabric) and iron with your iron on medium heat. Move paper towels around to soak up liquified wax. If there's a colored residue after all the wax is gone, it can be removed with rubbing alcohol and a toothbrush.
Removing candlewax from wood: use a blow dryer to liquify the wax and wipe off with paper towel. Remove residue with vinegar.
Remove rust stains on sink and tub: mix cream of tartar (from the spice rack) with 3% hydrogen peroxide into a paste and use as a scrub.
Scuff marks on shoes: scrubs off with toothpaste.
Cleaning burner pans from the stove: Make a thin paste of white vinegar and creme of tartar, let soak if needed. Scrub with a scouring sponge. Also works on casserole dishes with burned areas.
Furniture Polish: mix 1 part white vinegar, 1 part turpentine and 1 part boiled linseed oil. Apply liberally to wood, wipe off with a soft cloth. This mix will clean the wood and beautify the grain. Scented oils can be added - almond or orange or whatever.
Make clothing colorfast: mix vinegar, cold water and 1/4 c epsom salts in a basin and soak the clothes before washing them for about 10 min.