Simple, Inexpensive but Handy Tips

[mossguy]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Ginger is also good for settling your stomach (not Maryann!)

Maryann is good for many other things that may ail you.

[GothingNC]

Remove the hazy film that builds up on inside windows by spraying with white distilled vinegar.

Remove dirt and stains from car carpeting with a mixture of half white distilled vinegar and half water.

Clean the microwave by mixing 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring it to a rolling boil inside the microwave. Baked-on food will be loosened, and odors will disappear. Wipe clean.

Remove soap buildup and odors from the dishwasher by pouring a cup of white distilled vinegar inside the empty machine and running it through a whole cycle. Do monthly.

Mixture of Diswashing liquid and citrus oil to kill fire ants.

[1990C4S]

A potato (or the 'juice') will remove blood stains.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by craigster59

When checking into your hotel in Vegas, snap a cellphone photo of your room number (and hotel if you're partying that much). It at least helps the cops get you back there when you're found roaming the streets.

Great idea! Since the advent of key cards I forget my room number at least a dozen times a year. With my luck I'd go out and leave the key card AND my phone locked in the room.

[Eric 951]

When flying international ALWAYS carry a pen for filling out the customs forms while on the plane.

[Superman]

On the ruined thread, someone mentioned the logic of keeping the old car rather than buying a new one. If you can settle for less than the whiz-bang new bells-and-whistles car, this strategy will save you LOTS of money. Many thousands each year. Right now, you could buy an old but solid car, rebuild the entire running gear, brakes, upholstery......everything.....for a third the price of a new car, and you'd essentially have a new car.

[Superman]

Again, as I said in the last thread, you can kill the bugs in your garden and make your plants happy by simply spraying them with soapy water.

[john70t]

Block off registers, drains and toilets when attaching things in the bathroom with small screws(yup).

Tape/dip metal tool ends so they don't crack porcelin tile or scratch.

Blue tape holds parts together and protects surfaces.

Half hydrogen peroxide3% and half water makes a decent mouthwash(don't swallow).

[Superman]

All tools should be bright orange.

[sammyg2]

Never pour boiling water down a garbage disposal.
Like if you were draining noodles or such. Pour it down the other drain.
Why?
Many diposals have a thin plastic membrane that seperates the water from the electric stuff. Pouring really hot water on it will melt it and require replacing the disposal.

BTDT model in question was an insinkerator.

[Superman]

I love to clean things. When I clean a bathroom, I start by going in there with a cardboard box. Everything not nailed down goes into the box, and the box is placed in another room. Then, cleaning is pretty easy. I finish by wiping all surfaces down with a dry towel. It makes the room sparkle.

Then (and this is the best part), I put my stuff back in place. Deodorant, razor, hair brush. If other people want their stuff in my bathroom, they have to get it out of the box.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Superman

On the ruined thread, someone mentioned the logic of keeping the old car rather than buying a new one. If you can settle for less than the whiz-bang new bells-and-whistles car, this strategy will save you LOTS of money. Many thousands each year. Right now, you could buy an old but solid car, rebuild the entire running gear, brakes, upholstery......everything.....for a third the price of a new car, and you'd essentially have a new car.

Obviously a troll trying to totally derail the thread.

Diluted Pins-Sol is a good laundry stain remover. And supposedly will clean car parts (like carbs) when used as a full strength soak.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Eric 951

When flying international ALWAYS carry a pen for filling out the customs forms while on the plane.

Better: next time you are in immigration, pickup some extra and prefill them.

Also, if you travel internationally a bit, signup for Trusted Traveller. You bypass the immigration line and use something like an ATM and you use the customs line the crew uses.

[Por_sha911]

1. Rubbing alcohol will remove ink from shirts. Put a couple paper towels underneath the stain and soak another paper towel with the alcohol and blot it. Keep moving the towels underneath.
2. Putting wackos on your Ignore List cuts the amount of time reading PPOT way down.
3. Clay bar your windshield before you apply Rain-X. (and to add to another suggestion: Clean the wiper blades whenever you clean the windshield).

[Red Baron]

Use regular baking flour on a rag to remove black residual film when polishing aluminum wheels.

[Seahawk]

Tug on Supermans cape.

He likes it.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by IROC

Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) mixed roughly 50/50 with water makes an excellent and very inexpensive window cleaner.

I add ammonia, vinegar and a trace of detergent as a dispersent.

[Superman]

Eat a live frog first thing in the morning. That way, nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by IROC

Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) mixed roughly 50/50 with water makes an excellent and very inexpensive window cleaner.

It will also keep your cigar humidor at the perfect 70% humidity (applied to sponge or foam).

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by IROC

Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) mixed roughly 50/50 with water makes an excellent and very inexpensive window cleaner.

Mike, I had always heard ammonia and water 50/50. Used it once when working with a bud cleaning the windows on his dad's house... worked great.

Does the isopropyl alcohol have to be shaken often to maintain a mix, or does it go into solution?