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November 26, 2006
Joyous News, Oh Chicklets!
WD-40 Dissolves Silly Putty!
Yes. It's true. WD-40 dissolves silly putty. I discovered this yesterday when I found the sweatshirt that one of my friends' kids left here and realized that it had silly putty mashed into the fabric and into the zipper. A quick cruise of the Internet gave me several ways to get rid of it. For future reference, don't bother with the freezing thing. Go directly to the alternating ice cube and WD-40 option. Of course, despite several washings, the sweatshirt in question still reeks of WD-40, but as my friend pointed out, it will reek of other things soon enough. The child in question is most decidedly all boy and tends to get into things.
This exciting discovery reminds me of when I found out that hydrogen peroxide will remove blood stains. Thing Two used to get so many nosebleeds, we used to refer to them as his hobby. He didn't have many shirts that didn't have blood drips down the front. Then I learned that hydrogen peroxide will take blood stains right out! Yippee!
It also reminds me of when I found out that my iron (that pretty much goes unused elsewise) makes a fabulous grilled cheese sandwich maker!
So how about you chicklets! Have you discovered any magical helpful household hints? Care to share them with the rest of us here in the LC?
Posted by Eileen at 11:03 AM | Comments (6)
Comments
White vinegar cleans everything. You can thank me later.
Posted by: Beth at November 26, 2006 11:24 AM
I didn't know that about hydrogen peroxide--must make a note of it because DD#1 also gets numerous nosebleeds. Oftentimes they strike in the middle of the night, which is a big mess on the pillowcase and whatnot, so this may save her sheet sets from being ruined next time! Thank you!
white vinegar--I knew that it stops/kills mildew and mold on leather but I didn't realize it was good for anything else other than washing windows and getting rid of pet odors in the carpet. Care to elaborate? Those of us who are cleaning-challeged want to know!
Posted by: Sheri at November 26, 2006 5:00 PM
You really can recycle vacuum cleaner bags in an emergency situtation!
Step 1: carefully remove bag from depths of vacuum cleaner.
Step 2: carefully empty out vacuum cleaner bag by stealthful means of pulling out contents with fingers...
Step 3: stick together with duct tape the bits of the vacuum cleaner bag that came apart in the emptying process...
Step 4: thoroughly disinfect fingers...
No, I'm not cheap, but you know, the kinds of stores that sell vacuum cleaner bags varies from country to country big time, and sometimes it just gets to be a big stress thing on WHERE to actually PURCHASE VACUUM CLEANER BAGS...so you follow steps 1 to 4 in complete carpet vacuum desperation.
Michelle (who has now, she is ecstatic to report, discovered the source of vacuum cleaner bags in the Netherlands).
Posted by: Michelle C at November 26, 2006 5:18 PM
Okay, I'm totally trying the white vinegar thing. Do you dilute it at all? I am not, however, going to recycle vacuum cleaner bags. Instead, I'm buyin' a bagless!
LC Eileen
Posted by: Eileen ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.literarychicks.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at November 26, 2006 7:42 PM
Okay, by popular demand, here is my pet-friendly, kid-friendly, eco-friendly vinegar scrub for washing the tile floors:
3/4 bucket wicked hot tap water
3 splashes (roughly 1 cup) white vinegar
1 squirt Dawn liquid dish soap
Mix and mop. Removes all manner of filth, leaves no residue, and is non-toxic. Drawback: smells like salad, but this is temporary.
To get the crusty white hard-water gunk off your showerhead: fill a plastic bag with vinegar and tie around your showerhead with a rubber band. Leave overnight. In morning, watch in amazement as white crusty gunk comes right off. Also works for refrigerator water dispensers.
Dog vomited/urinated/had other unfortunate indiscretion on your carpet? Soak and rub with mixture of white vinegar and hot water. Removes stain and odor without all those shady commercial chemicals.
Pour vinegar in toilet bowl and let sit overnight for sparkly white porcelain.
Out of Windex? Use vinegar on your windows and mirrors!
(*NO, I am not a paid spokesperson of the Vinegar Association of America. But I should be.*)
Oh, and Eileen--Dysons rock. Worth every penny.
Posted by: Beth at November 26, 2006 10:51 PM
Um... I don't really have anything. I know this will come as a surprise, but I'm not exactly a great housekeeper. However, I did want to say, "Yay you!" because you rock. And Beth - I'm totally going out and buying some vinegar now!
Posted by: Lani at November 27, 2006 3:42 PM
