Household tips for easier living

Discussion in 'Home Improvement, DIY and Repair' started by carolyn, Jun 10, 2011.

  1. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    Well, I do know that, but the box looks just like the baking soda box from the baking isle, only larger... as I said I will have to go look at it again.
     
  2. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    Yeah, it's an Arm & Hammer product and they made the boxes look the same. That's why I leave the washing soda in it's original box instead of storing it in another container, less chance of confusion.
     
  3. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    Do you have enough dish clothes to make whole load? Not me, either. So when I am done doing dishes I microwave them for,about 2 minutes t kill all the germs in them and they don't get stinky waiting to be used or laundered.
     
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  4. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    This is the bug season in Texas (when isn't it?). We have bug residue on our car/truck
    windshields, bumpers and body work. Before you wash your vehicle, rub a bit of vegetable oil on the bug residue, and it washes off easily--no elbow grease needed!
     



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  5. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    Cool, Jane. We always used kerosene....YUCK! So the bug junk on my car stays on my car. But the kerosene works well for tar on your car. I wonder if oil works as well...Hmmmm? Experiment time, guys. And I literally mean GUYS. I am NOT putting my hand in or on kerosene or inhaling the smell. Diesel fuel is disgusting and I stay as far from all those things as I can. I can feel a headache coming on just thinking about the smells :smt088 .
     
  6. Frank

    Frank GardenStew Founder Staff Member Administrator

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    Here's one I just tried. If your microwave has some stubborn food stains inside you can fill a bowl with half vinegar/ half water. Bring to a boil inside the microwave and let it steam out for a few minutes. Take the bowl out and you will find the inside stains a lot easier to remove.
     
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  7. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    I just checked the box at WalMart today for the baking/washing soda in the laundry aisle....They carry both. The one box looks exactly like a large box of baking soda(which, that is what it is) and the other box is YELLOW and has sun rays coming out from the arm and hammer logo at the top of the box...(which is the sodium carbonate)

    [​IMG]
    ( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden )

    I just wanted to clarify the difference between the two so there was no more confusion on them.
     
  8. koszta kid

    koszta kid Young Pine

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    Before hanging a new shower curtain. I spray car wax on it. No water spots type. So water doesn't leave spots.
     
  9. Donna S

    Donna S Hardy Maple

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    I use rubbing alcohol for disinfecting my kitchen and bathrooms, including mopping floors. It's what hospitals use to clean rooms as well as your body when giving needles. It dry streak free. And very cheap.

    I use WD40 to clean shower doors. Works great.
     
  10. koszta kid

    koszta kid Young Pine

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    House I clean they wanted $200 to install new shower head. She was on vacation. Put vinegar in zip lock bag. And zipped to head And I was taking of pets. 2 days all hard crud off.
    I take plastic blinds and wash in tub. Turn slide ways to dry. Hang up in a couple hours
     
  11. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    Spray peroxide on the cutting board after you are done using it to cut your meat on. It will kill the germs left from the meat.
     
  12. koszta kid

    koszta kid Young Pine

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    If you have stove burners or oven rack that are real bad. Put ammonia in heavy duty trash bag. Take to garage -lay on floor. I let sit over night-the oven racks. If I leave in for auto clean takes shine off.Have done this to my gas top burners.They are not black like normal ones. Every time I use them -gets black on them.Put in kitty litter bucket and soak.
     
  13. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    So, now that it is fire in the furnace season, I have discovered that putting a couple chunks of charcoal (for the grill) in the starter mix is an excellent way to get the fire started and keep it going until the wood catches.

    OR

    like me, you may have TWO fires to start or if one goes out....use the charcoal and a shovel full of coals from the existing fire to start the one that was let go out....

    DON"T FORGET or put it off, Clean the chimney and cap (if you have one) at least once a year. Safety first!
     
  14. koszta kid

    koszta kid Young Pine

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    If coffee cup stained real bad and dishwasher not getting them clean. Soak in sink with -tablet of denture cleaner.
     
  15. cheryljones

    cheryljones New Seed

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    Ooh good tip about the rubber band. I may employ that tactic on other jars and tough to open lids!
     

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