Using things for different jobs

Kool_Kool

I use the lead of a pencil to rub up and down both sides of a troublesome zip. The graphite lubricate is and makes it easier to slide - unless it's really stuck, that is. I find that using a bar of DRY soap also acts as zip lubricant...

And the pencil lead, rubbed on both sides of keys, keeps them turning easily in the lock.

jessicamb

An ironing board makes a useful spare side table at Xmas/parties etc - just chuck a table cloth over the top.

i_wanna_save_money!

thriftlady wrote:

Tissue box as a plastic bag dispenser


.:)

Empty pringles tubes also double up as a carrier bag holder i can get about 15 bags in one

gwinnie

Similar to the shower puff in the OP, I collect fruit nets then plait them together to make a very gentle scouring sponge for the kitchen.

I save the large plastic containers that meat comes in and wash thoroughly with disinfectant. Then use them as fridge and kitchen cupboard tidies, to keep like with like, for example I've got two in the fridge, one for jam, marmalade, ketchup etc and the other for exotic sauces. I keep some spare for when I'm defrosting meat, in case of leakage. Same thing in the kitchen cupboard, for keeping all the bottles of cooking oils.

I keep cheese in old margarine tubs, to prevent drying out.

Worn out t-shirts make good dusters. Cut with pinking scissors to prevent fraying but avoid having to hem! They are also good for buffing wooden floors. Just tie around the broom and sweep the floor as usual.

I keep the supermarket plastic bags for loose fruit and veg on the kitchen work surface to put fruit peel and other cooking debris in. When it's full, tie a knot and bin. Cuts number of journeys to the bin and helps prevent those nasty smells, esp. in the hot weather.

Kimberley

When my kids were babies, i made a baby safety gate out of a large plank of wood which slipped between two thin pieces of would nailed to the door frame. Much cheaper then a baby gate The only downside was not being able to see through it, but i had no problems watching my little Hobbits

Penelope_Penguin

We've spent the morning cutting the lawn to a new shape, and edging it with planks. I found that my plastic dustpan was a perfect scoop for the soil I used to fill in the gaps between the planks and the lawn. I then used the hand brush to level the soil.

Good job no-one I knew came into the garden - it looked like I was on my hands and knees sweeping the lawn!! :rotfl: :rotfl:

Penny. x

vastsarah_2

i cant see that some one has said this but
just caught dd 13 yr useing hair straighteners on army cadets trousers!! to do the crease in frount of legs

newlywed

I use a wax candle on my shoes where they rub!!

Just rub the candle (non-coloured candle) on the inside of the leather where the sandals/shoes rub. The wax stops it rubbing.

Tip from top shoe designer and it works!!:D

newlywed

gwinnie wrote:

I keep the supermarket plastic bags for loose fruit and veg on the kitchen work surface to put fruit peel and other cooking debris in. When it's full, tie a knot and bin. Cuts number of journeys to the bin and helps prevent those nasty smells, esp. in the hot weather.

I do that too!! Mainly because I drop less bits on my trip to the bin and so OH doesn't get so annoyed at me making a mess!! :rolleyes:

summerday

I was getting very frustrated that nothing would get the very deep scratch marks out of my kitchen lino floor (scratches got there by pulling the fridge freezer and new oven over it). I had tried so many things, Stardrops, bleach, bicarb, vinegar, high powered-ultimate Flash stuff... just nothing worked no mater how hard I scrubbed or how many times I applied it. Then one day I was painting my nails and thought to myself how powerful nail polish remover is and on the off chance put a bit on a cotton wool ball and rubbed it over the scratch marks on the floor. Took a few mins of rubbing but it worked!! Looks great now. Important note- as soon as the mark has come off wipe the nail polish remover off straight away with some water or there is the risk of it staining the floor too white if you leave it there too long.

Hope this helps someone.
sarah x