Lots more Sneaky Ways to save the pennies

larmy16

Keep an old mop that has gone a bit too bald to do the floors with (vileda type or cheap one) - they are fantastic for plunging a blocked toilet. May just help you not having to call a plumber.

You can always cover it with a plastic bag if squeamish.

Aril

Old mops are also very good for washing out wheely bins.
Aril

GreyQueen

scottishminnie wrote: »

I've also started on some little gifts in case I need them throughout the year.

I had some spare nutella jars/glasses and a few of the little glass ramekins that come free with the "gu" type desserts.

A friends teenage daughter has given me some glass paints, a hot glue gun and loads of beads, gems and sparkly things so I'm decorating the ramekins and glasses to use as candleholders with tealights in them.


I've also partly created some nice new table mats for next Christmas. I cut up some old white sheets into table mat sizes, hemmed them, dyed them with some dylon and I'm thinking I'll now add some of the beads/gems to each. I figured they would be nice for special occasions - could also give them as gifts though.

A trick from my art skool daze; you can make squiggles with hot melt glue onto surfaces like cloth (not going to be launderable though), glass or wood. Then the squiggles can painted with Humbrol emamels in metallic shades. This looks lush and is soooo easy to do.

scottishminnie

GreyQueen wrote: »

A trick from my art skool daze; you can make squiggles with hot melt glue onto surfaces like cloth (not going to be launderable though), glass or wood. Then the squiggles can painted with Humbrol emamels in metallic shades. This looks lush and is soooo easy to do.

Thanks for that - will give it a try. I've also been thinking I would buy some plain cork coasters and decorate them too.

I have to confess that although my first table mat was absolutely beautiful I hadn't considered that fact that my intricate beaded centrepiece would prevent a dinner plate from sitting on it without wobbling! Now my fancy designs are round the edge:)

happydays3_2

Hi I have been following this thread and im collecting some great tips to use :j

just one question when using stardrops in dishwasher do i still need to use salt and rinse aid as my dishwasher beeps when they need topping up also do i just squirt some where the tablet suppost to go ?

thanks

Turia

Thank you to all the wonderful people who have posted on this thread and the original thread - I have read through both of them!!! It has taken me a few weeks of solid nights and have soooo many pages of tips!

Squashed loo rolls galore and diluted everything! wonderful uses of vinegar and stardrops and everything else in between. You guys are wonderful

Eenymeeny

happydays3 wrote: »

Hi I have been following this thread and im collecting some great tips to use :j

just one question when using stardrops in dishwasher do i still need to use salt and rinse aid as my dishwasher beeps when they need topping up also do i just squirt some where the tablet suppost to go ?

thanks

Hi Happydays, I've been giving one of our more experienced stardrops users time to answer you. I only know that when I tried stardrops in dishwasher I was greeted with loads of bubbles on the kitchen floor so I wouldn't advise using much. Maybe the dedicated stardrops thread would help you? I'm sure that if you just search stardrops it'll take you there.:)

mummyjane

Guinea wrote: »

Hi everyone
Does anyone have a cheap and effective way of making drains smell nice?

I would second bicarb and vinegar, you can always add a couple of drops of oil (I use peppermint) to make it smell extra fresh. Soda crystals are very good also, followed by boiling water and a good glug of white vinegar.

hth

Jane x

djjunk

Thanks all. I've been looking for a "thrifty forum" for years. Finally found it and really has warmed my heart to read that a lot of people haven't lost "it".
For the coffee drinkers, the coffee residue can be used as a fridge refresher. If emptied down the sink, it will stop bad odour coming out of it. In gardening, it can be used but memory's bugging. Can't remember...Oh well...
Also (less messy) you can simply used a cork placed in your fridge to get rid of bad smell.A cork placed in the fruit bowl keep the fruit fresher.
One of the previous post mention macerating dandelions in water to use as a repellent, you can do the same using nettle.

Uniscots97

I make Value stuffing go further by adding a tablespoon of porridge oats and/or the crumbs out of the bread bag. This usually doubles the amount made. I always add these to the dry mix then prepare.