The Household Hints & Tips Thread...

[Hollylane]

Originally Posted by christie

I, like Novela, am loving the paper bag flooring idea! I'm pretty handy, and after having restored an 1860's house, am pretty fearless about trying new things. Worse comes to worse, just be prepared to pay a professional to complete something if I am in over my head...

That being said, I googled this for a couple of hours after I saw Dominque's post... WOW... there are a lot of applications for this idea... one woman has done not just floors, but also a counter-top... and seeing her followup posts and pictures, she has shown how its held up after 6 months or so of use... I will be heading to HomoDepot to find supplies to experiment with... will let you know how it turns out and if we decide to try it on a room...

Sorry about the slight derail, but I can be hyperfocused when it comes to something that combines DIY AND the craftiness in me!

Back to cleaning... I tried the white vinegar as a rinse aid in the dishwasher yesterday... I was really pleased with the results!

For air-freshening... we have a bagless vacuum and place ground cinnamon in the canister before we vacuum... its pretty cost-effective if you get the mondo-size at Costco!

I also use lemons/limes/any citrus in the garbage disposal... run some hot water while you are grinding them up and it is an instant blast of freshness!

I don't think any of this was a derail

I like the idea of the cinnamon in the canister, but won't that clog my filters?

[christie]

Originally Posted by Hollylane

I don't think any of this was a derail

I like the idea of the cinnamon in the canister, but won't that clog my filters?

We've not had a problem with clogging the filters, but I see how it could be a concern. I've not ever sprinkled the cinnamon on the carpets, but have toyed with the idea of a cinnamon/baking soda sprinkle - my own version of carpet-fresh!

Speaking of filters, I like to get extra mileage out of them by either blowing them out with the shop-vac, actually vacuuming them with the shop vac (its tedious and not a habit) or taking them to the gas station and blowing them out with the air compressor. This is especially helpful when doing home projects that require using the shop vac and those filters can be pricey!

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by Hollylane

Great idea from more than one poster about the microfiber cloths, I'll have to check those out!

As far as the disposable sponges, I do like the ones with the scrubber side, and I do use them, but I pop them into the dishwasher whenever I run it, which keeps them from getting that nasty smell. I use them until they almost disintegrate.

You can also put a damp sponge in the microwave for at least 90 seconds. Kills about 99% of the germs but it will be HOT when you go to take it out.

[Hollylane]

Originally Posted by Gemme

You can also put a damp sponge in the microwave for at least 90 seconds. Kills about 99% of the germs but it will be HOT when you go to take it out.

Gaige says you can add lemon juice to that, and it works even better.

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Learn from my mistakes (or simply use common sense)...

Do not start more laundry than you can finish, and then leave it sitting to be forgotten during a busy work week. This is especially true if you live in a damp area (Oregon), and if you are conscious about your energy/water footprint.

I have now had to rewash two loads of clothes, two times, to get the mildew smell out. Yuck, and very wasteful of water, electricity, and detergent.

I'm a little annoyed with me right now....

[StrongButch]

Great thread for us guys. Im a clean freak. Ill keep reading. If you want help with cooking anything I can help in exchange for your handy cleaning tips. Thanks everyone.

[Tommi]

3 cats are in hiding.
What's safe for etched mirrors and etched glass shower doors.

Bought a gallon of vinegar and a triple size box of baking soda.

This morning, I experimented and fizzed my kitchen double sink/garbage disposal with the baking soda, vinegar and hot water (how-to-do-above) . I did it twice. I just did it because. It was actually interesting Plus, it went glug glug faster the second time around.

I did the electric coffee pot with vinegar and water, then poured it into the dishwasher and am running it through a cycle.

I swiffered the hardwood floors with that great citrus smelling moist pad, turned it over when it got dusty, Then, rinsed it out, put some glass cleaner on it an swiped the Italian tile in the master bath.

Now, to clean the tile grout. Those grout cleaners stink too bad, and are nasty chemicals, Only thing I know to use on it is good ole fashioned bleach...Wonder what else baking soda and vinegar can do.

Jacuzzi tonight.....

[spritzerJ]

Originally Posted by Hollylane

Gaige says you can add lemon juice to that, and it works even better.

************************************************** **

Learn from my mistakes (or simply use common sense)...

Do not start more laundry than you can finish, and then leave it sitting to be forgotten during a busy work week. This is especially true if you live in a damp area (Oregon), and if you are conscious about your energy/water footprint.

I have now had to rewash two loads of clothes, two times, to get the mildew smell out. Yuck, and very wasteful of water, electricity, and detergent.

I'm a little annoyed with me right now....

I have found vinegar in the washer during the rinse cycle (as the fabric softener) or just the whole darn wash works to get rid of the mildew smell in one load AND when towels get that "soap build up" smell.

[Hollylane]

Originally Posted by spritzerJ

I have found vinegar in the washer during the rinse cycle (as the fabric softener) or just the whole darn wash works to get rid of the mildew smell in one load AND when towels get that "soap build up" smell.

It's funny you should mention that Spritzer, I kind of instinctively came to that on my own, after washing and drying about 4 times, and I was planning to post it in here! Awesome advice!

[DapperButch]

I pour some vinegar into the washing machine with the laundry soap anytime I am washing my dog's blankets. Vinegar gets rid of urine smell.