Miscellaneous Tips and Pointers
Any
sort of general tip that it is hard to put into any other category,
including - Photography
- Time Management - and more.
Cleaning
Glasses (spectacles). Do not use dish soap, it can
damage the coating on the lenses over time. A microfiber cloth designed
for cleaning lenses and some condensation from your breath will do the
trick. -- Davina Martin
Tuxedo or Dinner
Jacket. To hire or buy. I have just bought a dinner
Jacket of superior quality and and excellent condition, all for the
price of a bottle of wine or the price of the main meal in a
restaurant. The secret was to drop in to my local charity shop, Oxfam
in this case, where I was shown four or five suits and jackets. All
were in near-perfect condition -- Dave E
The Easy Way to
Tear Paper:- Ever had to tear a piece of paper in a
straight line? It's very simple - fold the paper where you want to tear
it, then run your wet tongue along the fold. Leave for a few seconds
then tear - it comes apart at the fold very cleanly. How? - paper is
largely cellulose and saliva breaks up its molecular structure. -- David
Phillips New Zealand
Lost
Socks. Save the ring of the gallon container of milk (ask
a few friends to give you theirs so you don’t have to wait so long to
get several). Pull the socks through. Throw into the washer/dryer. If
one breaks replace it with another milk jug ring. You don’t have to
worry about rust from a pin or sticking yourself. -- Debby,
Bowling Green, Ky
Toilet
blocked? Got no plunger?...just use your loo brush and
wrap a plastic bag..i.e tesco..sainsburys plastic carier bag over the
bristle end and use as a plunger...works every time! -- Paul
Otto
Avoid
Distorted Spectacle Frames. Always remove your glasses in
such a way that the forces are applied equally. Over time they will
become twisted if you always remove them by one side - usually the
right hand side if you are right-handed. Check your friend's
specs, they will usually have the right hand leg slightly bent out more
than the left side -- Davina Martin
Cleaning
Glasses (spectacles). Do not use dish soap, it can
damage the coating on the lenses over time. A microfiber cloth designed
for cleaning lenses and some condensation from your breath will do the
trick. -- Davina Martin
1. HOW NOT TO
PAINT THE PLANTS
The garden fence needs painting, but your favourite plant(s) are growing
hard up against it - you don't really want a cerulean mottled oleander
. .
Solution?
- Easy, get a sheet of some sort that will not be punctured by the
branches
of the plant. Introduce this between the plant and the fence.
Tighten the sheet carefully
around the plant, easing branches into "comfortable" positions. Needs
two really, one to roll the ends of the sheet together and one to watch
that the plant is not being damaged.
Use clips of some sort to keep
the sheet tight and then paint away!
Last bit: if there is not much
space between the plant and fence add a
"paint proof" sheet on top, using tape or something to keep it in place
-
any old plastic sheet will do. Then there is no worry about trying to be
too careful with the brush.
2.
When things get heated they rend to swell up(yeah, we all know some
people like that), when the are cool they tend to shrink .
2.1
Let's say the tool on your vacuum cleaner is jammed on the pipe.
Wrap a cloth well dampened
with cold water around whichever bit is "inside", but not touching the
"outside" part.
Use a hair dryer to heat up
the outer part, all the way round and for a about four inches, 100mm,
along from the joint.
Two people are best, the one
holding and rotating the job should also keep a constant pulling and
twisting force on the pieces.
With any luck they will
separate quite easily, especially if the outer part if a plastic tool
and the inner a metal pipe.
Don't get too close with the
hairdryer, you might damage the plastic.
If there is any scoring on the
plastic from grit burnish these out with the handle of a stainless
steel spoon or similar, then wipe on a little silicon polish.
2.2 If a
drinking glass gets jammed inside another one.
Fill the inner glass with cold
water, even with an ice cube in it. Then stand the whole thing in a
small bowl of warm water, comfortable enough to put you hand in.
Wear thick rubber or gardening
gloves and try, after a minute to so, to separate the two glasses with
a twisting and "wiggling" force.
3. Hot face
towels.
In some oriental restaurants
the give you a sweet smelling hot towels to wipe your face with, very
refreshing.
Easy to do at home, if you
have a microwave.
Wet the face towels in scented
water and wring them out fairly hard.
Fold them into four at most
and put each one in a plastic bag. Do not seal the bag, just fold the
open end underneath.
All microwaves and towels vary
a bit so experiment first, fifteen seconds "cooking" at a time to get
to a temperature JUST too hot to handle. Also some scents do not react
well to being heated up.
Do these at the end of the
meal and warm all that the towels may be too hot right away.
This is also a good way to
soften a beard before shaving.
Dave
Bailes
Save on Air
conditioning. Save on air conditioning. On scorching
hot days you can save on air conditioning by closing the fresh air
intake vent. This is the vent that leads from the room/closet with your
furnace in it to the outside of your house, and often has a closable
vent on the outside of your home. This will cause your unit to recool
the air that's already in the home rather than pulling in new hot air
to cool down. While it will make the air in your home less fresh, it
will result in significant energy savings. Thank you, --
Andrew Lake
My own Hints and
Tips.
If you've always like ankle bracelets ( anklets ) but cant
find one big enough, then use a gold necklace wrapped around
twice, it looks perfect and if wanted you could always hang a small
charm on it as well.
Want to give your partner a
fantastic surprise present, then you must buy them a four poster bed.
Looking at it, laying in it and waking in it, will certainly
be a wow experience and something they will continue to enjoy for many
years.
If your cat refuses to go
into the pet bed you've bought, stand a mirror behind it. Then they
will think its another cat and will make the bed their own territory.
Kitchen table and chairs tired
and jaded, and cant afford new. Then paint the chairs and table legs
white and stick coloured tiles on the tabletop new padded seat covers
to match the tiles completes the cheap new look
If you want to take a picture
of yourself looking years younger then lay down and take the picture
from above, all your wrinkles will disappear and the
results are quite extraordinary.
When you tire of wearing your
long padded jacket don't throw it away. Keep it and use it as
a winter dressing gown, Then when you have to answer the door
early in the morning your coat will make you feel somehow safer than
being in your skimpy night attire.
Use a large Teflon Wok for
all your cooking requirements, you can Fry ,stew, and boil, and it
certainly is much easier than using different pans for
different jobs.
If you want an unusual hair
style for a party. Scrape your hair back and tie , use lots of hair
spray, Place a stencil of your name and sprinkle or spray glitter ,into
it .when you remove it the imprint will be left. spray again to set.
If you have (middle ages
spread) and find your clothes pull around your tummy, but
larger sizes, are too big on the bust try maternity tops, they are
often just right and give that little extra just where you
need it, you can often get away with a smaller size,
and no one need know either.
Put your electric
over-blanket into a continental quilt cover, it will be much easier to
handle and remove when not in use and looks prettier too.
When you buy packets of
flower seeds simply sprinkle them in the garden I've found
they germinate far better than sowing them in individual pots and its
exciting watching them come up next year.
After you have washed your
dishes and they are on the drainer, carefully pour a kettle of hot
water over them, it will make them dry far quicker and rinse
off any left over washing up liquid suds or grease.
When its winter, take a flask
of tea or coffee to bed with you at night, then the next morning you
will have a hot drink before you venture into the cold of
your home.
When visiting your
grandchildren take a packet of fairy cake mix instead of
sweets, they will have the pleasure of both baking ( with help
) and eating their unusual gift.
If you going somewhere
special and want to secure your hair into ringlet tendrils
around your face use false eye lash glue, style and stick them
to your forehead face and neck.
If you cant sleep because
there's a person troubling your thoughts. Place them in an imaginary
empty room in your head, and then push them out of the room and lock
the imaginary door. You may have to do this several times but it will
work.
Don't spend money on several
make up pencils use a brown eyebrow one for eyeliner , lip liner and
brows.
Add tomatoes ketchup to stews
, pastas and soups for a rich added flavour.
Waking during the night
feeling too hot in bed, reverse your continental quilt thus the cold
outside becomes the cool inside next to your skin also turn
over your pillow. Diane Hakala
Uses for
Fabric Softener Sheets:
Use a fabric softener sheet as a duster, your television etc will not
attract the dust as it did before. The non-stick properties can also be
used to prevent paint, oil and grease from sticking to your handsdif
you wipe them before you start work. -- Davinia Martin
Uses
for Windshield Washer Fluid. Use auto
windshield washer fluid instead of windex etc. for cleaning glass
surfaces. CHEAP! For Jellyfish stings, bee stings and fire ant stings
etc. spray the area with a spritz of window washing spray [like windex
or the like. One application takes the sting out immediately. Never go
to the ocean without one of the dollar store window cleaner wipes. Will
work like a charm on any bites, stings, etc. Hold the wipe on the area
and gently rub until the wipe is dry. Sting, itch is gone. Use the same
window wipes on poison ivy rashes. Works way better and faster than
anything else. When the itching starts, blot the area with a wipe. Two
days and the rash is GONE! Hope this helps folks! -- Butterflies
21
Jan 2007 -- Caution:
Use with care -- Ed
Jellyfish
Stings. Vodka too will
neutralize stings. Alcohol works on poison Ivy too, I am sure that
whisky or any spirit would do the trick. Jan Direr -- Rather suffer than use my best
single malt -- Ed
Cards
to Patients in Hospital. 1. I came up with
this HINT several years ago, and since then, it's worked out well.
............When you send a card to someone who's in the hospital,
instead of YOUR return address, use THEIR Home Address as the return
address. Invariably, the card is not delivered promptly and the
intended recipient goes home, and sometimes, weeks later, the card is
returned to you, marked UNDELIVERABLE. All this time, you think your
card reached them, and, sadly, they are unaware you sent a card. Once
you get your card back, you have to readdress it and put ANOTHER stamp
on it and remail it..............When you use THEIR home address as the
return address, the card will follow them home if they are released
before your card reaches them in the hospital. Susan M. (Susan McGuire)
Tips From Diane.
If you have a computer and printer and want to put a photograph on to
canvas then print out your own using artists cotton canvas look paper
its far cheaper than having it professionally done for you. And no one
will be able to tell the difference
If you hate trying
on skirts whilst wearing jeans and boots,simply pull them down to your
ankles and put the skirt on over your head that way it saves all the
problems of getting hot and bothered in a cramped changing rooms. Want
a new look for your kitchen chairs take off the seat and slide a pretty
new cushion cover over it you may have to adjust the zip area but it
wont be seen under the chair. -- Diane Hakala.
- Problem
Solving To help solve a difficult problem, or to cut down on
worrying about making a decision, analyze the situation, determine what
must be done and carry it out. In writing or on your PC:
Get all the facts.
Describe the problem in detail.
List all the possible solutions.
List the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Detail what you will do.
Follow through.
Kind regards -- Ken McIsaac An excerpt from "32 KEYS: A Collection of
Ideas About Life". The online book summarizes basic popular self-help
ideas and is free to read online at http://www.32keys.com
Hamster
Exercize Wheel. Our hamster died
and I was getting rid of some of his things. I started to throw the
little exercise wheel away but put some wallet size pictures of the
grandkids in it. Works real good for school pictures and you can just
twirl it around to see the pictures. Doesn't make that noise in the
middle of the night though like the hampster did when he exercised!!
Sure miss that! NOT!! -- Becky Jessee,
Church Hill, Tennessee.
Removing tobacco and other smoke
smell from hands and skin I've recently discovered an
amazing new product called Nico-Wipe available at www.nicowipe.com that
actually got rid of the smell of smoking from my skin. so much so that
my wife couldn't smell it on me afterwards. Amazing. James Schwartz
Toronto, Ont. June 20 2007
Tame
those whiskers!: Out
of moustache wax? A bit of bar soap, softened with water, makes a dandy
substitute! -- Scott Jamieson
Zip
Top Freezer Bags... I Have difficulty getting them open? Take scissors
and snip a fair sized
"V" in one side of the top strip (don't cut into the 'sealer') and you
will find it easy to gain access without the frustration. Also if you
find it difficult to fill small freezer bags you might try putting them
inside a measuring cup, folding a small flap down over the edges of the
cup. Then it's easy to fill with foodstuffs and prevent the bag
collapsing and the resultant spills. Same holds true for larger bags if
you find a suitable sized bowl or can to place the bags in.
"Shelly"
10
Oct 2002
Scratched watches If
your watch has a plastic 'glass' - like Swatches do - and it has become
scratched, polish it with Brasso. It might seem to get worse at first
but persevere for only a few minutes and it will become completely
clear and scratch free. -- Jenny Leman
Sandy
Feet Hi. I’ve never seen this hint posted, nor seen anyone
using it, but it’s
REALLY GOOD. To get beach sand off your feet (or any body part)-
sprinkle Baby Powder on the area and the sand just wipes off as if it
were dry. Have you heard this before? I’d really like to know. -- Sue
Fruchter
Some
Useful Tips. White spirit (as is used for cleaning paint
brushes) is great for removing grease, especially in the kitchen.
Smells a bit but soon goes away. (In the USA use mineral spirits -
same thing -- Ed)
Smelly hands after chopping
onions? Rub a little lemon juice in hands to get rid of
odour. Also, to clean a microwave...several drops of lemon juice in a
cup of hot water. Put in microwave & allow to boil in there for
a couple of minutes. The steam loosens any dried on food, simply wipe
off, the lemon neutralises any odours.
Baby wipes (yes those wet
cloths used to clean up babies' bottoms,) are great for cleaning up
leather furniture. They remove dirt & grime, but as they are a
gentle cleanser, they do no damage to the leather.
Couldn't resist those salad
onions but are now going out on the town with smelly breath? Try
munching on some fresh parsley. It neutralises nasty niffs!!
Remove candle wax from
carpets. Cover with paper kitchen towel & iron over. The heat
melts the wax which is then absorbed by the paper.
Good old fashioned soda
crystals have many uses and are cheap. Dissolve in boiling water and
pour down drains and plugholes. It gets rid of odours and dissolves
grease. Also good for wiping down kitchen walls & cupboards.
Try putting 2 cups of soda
crystals in washing machine & running empty on the hottest
wash. It helps to clear limescale build-up. 1/2 cup added to wash helps
remove stains, makes whites whiter & softens the water. Anon 13
Mar 2004
(If the person who sent in
theabove tips reads this please let me know who you are for I was
clumsy when I copied in the tip and lost the header with your name and
address -- Sorry - Ed)
Airwick
Scented Oil refills - Empty
Hi - when my Airwick scented oil refills are empty, instead of throwing
them away, I put them in my lingerie drawer, handkerchief drawer,
closet or linen cupboard. It makes everything smell divine, finishes
off the last few drops of oil productively, makes a few less glass
containers for the landfill and means I don't have to buy scented
closet/drawer fresheners. Meg Gagie London, Ontario,
Canada
2 Jul 2005
Musty
Leather Leather Goods To remove mildew from leather
goods, wipe them with a cloth moistened with dilute alcohol (one cup
denatured or rubbing alcohol to one cup water). If mildew remains, wash
with thick suds made from a mild soap or detergent, saddle soap, or a
soap containing germicide or fungicide, then wipe with a damp cloth and
dry in an airy place. Polish leather shoes and luggage with a good wax
dressing.
Shoes contaminated with fungus growth on the inside often develop
unpleasant odors. You can remove this kind of mildew with low-pressure
sprays specially intended for freshening shoes; these sprays are
available at shoe and department stores. Use these products as directed
-- "David T. Lichtor"
2 in 1 pool cleaning instead
of draining those backyard kiddie pools to scrub off the slime from the
bottom...try this...dump in some bubble bath and let the kids have a
blast...they get clean and u get the slime removed without
scrubbing...just drain and hose down. -- Aylie G.
Ha Ha -- Ed
nuisance
calls (in UK).
I discovered that by going on line to the site below you can stop
nuisance calls from companies and cold callers etc. You just have to
follow the simple step by step instructions. I got it through a
government publication.
http://www.tpsonline.org.uk
Julie
Dumayne
Pests and Plants and others -
Mice, can't stand
peppermint essential oil, can be put around entry points to keep away.
Clothes moths, can't stand cedar wood oil, can be splashed around
wardrobes to keep them away
Plants, weedy plants thrive on dilute urine...not at all glamourous i
know, but it's only nitrogen !
Cats, some like to drink camomile tea ( cold!) it's good for
shock
Over ripe avocado's make a great face and hair pack
Dental floss makes a great washing line / strong thread when travelling
Soap the hinges of squeaky doors
Baking soda is a great cat litter/ fridge deodoriser
Scan travel insurance details and passport into your own email account,
useful if original gets lost or stolen
Hope that these are useful. -- steve x steve
clarke
Thermometer
Fix I
recently got an older Pepsi thermometer that had it's mercury like
substance separated in several places. I removed the bulb and
tube from it's housing and then placed it in a glass with warm tap
water.
In the same glass I placed the
probe of my digital thermometer so I could watch the
temperature. I then placed some water in a pot on my stove and
brought it to a boil. In small amounts I placed some of the water from
the pot into the glass. I raised the temperature slowly and watched the
mercury substance raise as did the digital reading.
I continued until the lowest
solid area of the mercury substance in the main column reached the end
of the tube and the digital thermometer read 143 degrees. The end of my
tube had what appeared to be a small reservoir that appeared a little
larger than the column itself. I highly suggest adding the hot water
slowly, raising the temperature only a degree or two at the time, being
very mindful of where the mercury substance is, and to stop adding hot
water once the lowest solid area of the mercury substance in the main
column reaches the top. -- "NodeWrangler
-- Sounds
as if protective glasses, gloves and other precautions should be taken.
Please note that mercury is an extremely poisonous substance and great
care should be taken while handling it. -- Ed.
Tip
of the Day Today
in Nerja, Spain where I live I saw what I thought was a really safe way
of controlling 4/5 year old school children en route to their concert
hall. The 40 schoolchildren were lined up in Indian File and a long
chord extending from the first child to the last was handed down the
column. They were then all told to grasp the chord with their right
hand and trundled off down the walkway to their concert thus avoiding
any single one wandering off and a better control for the teacher. "Debbie
Annan"
A
Cure. When out fishing,
if you get finned by a cat fish, pour any soda over it and it will stop
the stinging and cleanse it at the same time......I know I tried it ;o)
-- Gwen
Sage
advice. Never
invest in anything that eats omeomy
Tips on
Stuff. To remove the
stickers on items purchased, such as a picture frame or a box with the
sticky price tag right on it, use a hair dryer directly on the tag to
soften the glue, and immediately peel off. -- I've learned a lot of
neat things while on this planet for 68 years. Try them, what do you
have to lose? --(Irene M. Ward)
Selling
your home, you
will come across tips suggesting that you can sell your home more
easily if you put some vanilla pods in the oven or essence on a light
bulb. No amount of air freshener or deodorizer will disguise a serious
H. O. (home odor) problem, tackle the root of the problem, i.e. banish
the smelly dog from the living area or replace the old carpet. --
Terri Realtor 77
Fibromyalgia. I cured a horrible case of fibromyalgia by
going on an anti-allergy diet. I was desperate from the
endless and increasing pain and inability to do simple things like make
the bed or even get out of it some mornings, pick up a pillow or go up
and down the stairs. I couldn't close my hands.
No starch, no dairy, no red
meat, no coffee, no nightshades. The difference is miraculous. I can
easily go up an down stairs, get down on the floor and up again, put my
shoes and socks on easily, touch my fingers behind my back. No
backaches, no ankle pain, sole of the feet pain, no stiff frozen hands,
no searing pain in the hips or deltoid muscles, no knees giving out on
me. And even better, I am not hungry, but have plenty to eat and lost
40 pounds. No matter what or how much I ate before, I was always
hungry.
I started getting better after
about 1-2 weeks and know the weight was not a factor. I felt good after
losing only a pound. I was aiming to be pain free, not lose weight. I
no longer need to take elevators or pull myself up the steps one at a
time. Nothing I gave up is more enticing than being able to move again
and I will never go back to an eat-everything diet. And I use no drugs
or pharmaceuticals with their horrible side effects.
I try to avoid all food
additives, dyes, hormones, antibiotics, preservatives, etc. too as a
precaution. I feel like I have my life back again. Maybe it will work
for someone else too. -- Shirley Maul
Hello
If you rub pencil lead on your flute before attaching the pieces, the
separate pieces will be easier to glide on. -- SoccerGirl2117
Chewing Gum on
washable items (including children's
hair) Peanut butter rubbed into the gum will
usually remove it from any washable item. If gum still remains after
wiping off the peanut butter, just add more and work it in. Repeat
until only an oily smear remains, which can be removed by soap or
degreaser. If you don't have peanut butter you can also use mayonnaise
or cooking oil. -- A Bryan
Gum in Hair
To get gum out of hair without having to cut it, apply peanut butter to
the gummed area and work into the gum. Then wash with shampoo. -- Corrie
Recipe Holder
A handy recipe holder can be made by standing a fork in a glass. When
the fork is turned upside down the recipe fits into the fork prongs. --
Dorothy A SCOTT
Hiccups.
Put your hands above your head for a few minutes to cure hiccups
(something to do with stretching the diaphragm). -- Wendy
Quin
A microwave can be used to dry
things. Use an old microwave oven to dry trainers.
Use a medium defrost setting and put a small glass of water in with it
to prevent damage to the microwave when the trainers dry out.
Do not put pets in microwave ovens
<o;) -- Davie
To relieve cramp in the leg,
stand in an empty bath with bare feet. My friend has suffered from
cramp all his life and he says it works every time – Ian
Richards, City Broadcast Installations, UK
Try turning down the lights an
hour or two before bed-time; that way you will get a better sleep. When
my friend suggested it to me I was very sceptical. Believe me
it works -- Ian McKenzie Sydney Australia
Toothache!?: if you have
severe toothache use clove oil on a piece of cotton wool or try
swilling your mouth out with peppermint oil! -- Janie
Hatzer
Apply a small amount of talcum
powder before shaving – wet or dry – Ian Richards, City
Broadcast Installations England
Use a piece of foam that is
used as packing material or to make sponge hair rollers to wipe lint
from clothing and furniture. Anon
When job hunting always
present yourself as a desirable commodity. Remember
that you are offering your very valuable self and your skills,
certainly not asking or begging for work -- Stewart Carnegie,
Palo Alto 1998
A piece of orange peel in
rolling tobacco keeps the tobacco moist and adds flavor -- Nigel
Hartley, UK, Jun 98.
For a handy cleaning cloth for
your glasses cut a piece of material from an old shirt or blouse.
Pinking shears leave an edge that will not fray. Do not use tissue
paper as it will eventually scratch the surface -- xcaliber
Essex Girls: If you have
annoying marks on your white stiletto heels try to remove them with
nail polish remover, if this doesn’t work use "Tippex" or spray paint.--
Sharon and Tracy, London
Nail Polish
Remover. If you don't have any nail polish remover you
can use clear nail polish to remove your colored nail polish. Paint one
finger at a time and quickly wipe off clear coat after you apply it.
About two times per nail should take all of your polish off, this is
much better than chipping it off piece by piece. -- Andrea
Lundy
When going barefoot talcum
powder keeps the feet from sticking to your shoes and aids comfort.-
- Vanessa Echols Southampton England
Superglue lasts much longer if
you keep it in the fridge.- - Vanessa Echols Southampton
England
Be kind to Spiders: Save a
poor little spider in the bath by buying a spider ladder. If you do not
have one then a towel hung over the side will provide an escape.
Spiders keep down the insect population within your home and this can
dramatically reduce the damage done to books, soft furnishings and
valuables. – Davie Jun 98. (Note: Take
care. Some countries have poisonous spiders, they need to be
treated with caution -- Editor)
Spider Ladder
Dear hints and tips, I see on one of your pages - miscellaneous tips
and pointers that you mention Spider -Ladders and that they can be
bought. Would you know where I might be able to purchase one. -- Any
help would be much appreciated. -- Anna Mulrooney
To keep drains unblocked,
always pour coffee dregs down the drain, it acts as a kind of sandpaper
in your drains. -- Wendy Quinn
Exam tip:
To keep blood sugars up during exams take some sweets to eat when your
energy starts to flag, even better, is to take dried fruit such as
currents or sultanas, as the fruit sugars last longer and don’t give
you the sudden energy rush. -- Simon Dunsby 1997.
Unusually long body hair
growing in the wrong place should not be trimmed with
scissors. Instead they should be plucked, regular plucking
can reduce regrowth considerably. Seek medical advice on
hairs growing out of moles -- Martin Quimby, Southampton
England
In a really cold environment
use mittens rather than gloves. Frozen fingers can
be identified and remedial measures taken before frostbite sets in
-- Jimmie Stewart Dunfermline Scotland
If you notice your shoes are
not their usual shiny selves, but you are in a hurry to leave the
house, give them a quick wipe over with furniture polish to bring up an
instant shine -- Veronica Echols, Southampton, England
Toothbrushes can be cleaned,
sterilised and generally freshened up by immersing in hydrogen peroxide
-- Martin Hinchcliffe
If a copper pipe joint is
leaking, wrap PTFE (Teflon) tape around the male thread, then tighten
the connector, and the leak should stop -- Robin
Gill Heston England
If possible, always get
someone to help you. It is surprising how another person can often spot
obvious mistakes that you cannot see -- Robin Gill
Heston England
Brazil Nuts: They are much
easier to shell if you soak them in boiling water for a few minutes
before cracking -- comi
After working on your car you
can clean your hands with a mixture of dishwashing liquid and sugar --
Simon Spicer Wolverton UK
Keeping the kids entertained.
If you have young children at home that love to color, then check out
the free coloring book at -- Rene’ Leer
Misted Visor: further to the
raw potato on the visor idea, some bikers may prefer to spit on their
visors. this does the same thing - stops condensation from accumulating
(at least on the inside) --(Sonny Gill)
Re-using batteries. When flash
batteries for camera run down, there is still enuff life left in them
to run a remote for TV for long time -- jeff jackson
Digital
Photography. If your digital camera has a black and
white mode set it for 400 ASA or higher, mount the camera on a tripod,
hold an 87 Wratten filter in front of the lens during exposure and get
a black and white infrared look. -- Ron Breeze,
Red Eye. This is caused by the
flash reflecting from the back of the eye. To stop this either use a
faster film and no flash, or if you have to use a flash bounce or angle
the the light from the ceiling or wall. -- Y Chan,
Sydney
Family Photos. It is usually
best to take photos of people in the shade, because you won't get such
harsh shadows, and people squinting. Shade is more flattering to skin
tones.
Shoot several pictures,
because you rarely get it right on the first try. Have plenty film
handy. -- S Edmunds.
Film: If you keep photographic
film at home it is best stored in the fridge as it extends its shelf
life. Freezing film can extend shelf life by up to a year. --
Sheila Anderton.
Tip Plus a Question
Glad to have found your site. ** I would like to know a good remedy to
remove tobacco and tea stains from teeth. I think you are a
good place to inquire about this.
Treatment for a
brown recluse spider bite: Colloidal Silver, a mineral from
the health food store. Take 1-2 drops mixed in 1/3 c. water
internally 3 x daily for 3 days and rub the colloidal silver
directly on the bite at least 3 x daily for 7 days. The
silver literally stops the progression of the venom and in
many cases I've seen no hideous scar left on the person. I
live in a southern state where brown recluse bites are
widespread and even doctors don't know what to do other than
a cortisone shot (which doesn't stop the venom). Colloidal
silver works miraculously. -- Lisa Burks
Things
That Work
1)
Flies or bees bothering you? Spray them with hairspray and they will
take a quick dive.
2) Sealed envelope? Put in
the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The
envelope can then be resealed. (hmmmmmm...)
3) Use Empty toilet paper
roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and you can write on
the roll what appliance it belongs to.
4) For icy door steps in
freezing temperatures: get warm water and put Dawn dishwashing liquid
in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze. Wish I had
known this for the last 40 years!)
5) Crayon marks on walls?
This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped in baking soda. Comes off
with little effort (elbow grease that is!).
6) Permanent marker on
appliances/counter tops (like store receipt BLUE!) rubbing alcohol on
paper towel.
7) Whenever I purchase a box
of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad
into halves. After years of having to throw away rusted and unused and
smelly pads, I finally decided that this would be much more economical.
And now a box of S.O.S pads last me indefinitely! In fact, I have
noticed that the scissors get sharpened this way!
8) Opening brand new jars can
be a feat in itself. Well, I have found a way to make it the easiest
thing to do. Instead of banging a jar of jam, pickles, etc., with a
knife until it loosens up, I simply reach into the drawer and pull out
the handy nut cracker. It adjusts to the size of the jar and I simply
give it a good twist and off pops the lid!
9) Blood stains on clothes?
Not to worry! Just pour a little peroxide on a cloth and proceed to
wipe off every drop of blood. Works every time!
10) Use vertical strokes when
washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you
can tell which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside
windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry
too quickly and will probably streak.
11) Spray a bit of perfume on
the light bulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in each room
when the light is turned on. Place fabric softener sheets in dresser
drawers and your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come.
You can also do this with towels and linen.
12) Candles will last a lot
longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning.
13) To clean artificial
flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake
vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your
artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!
14) To easily remove burnt on
food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and
enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stovetop.
15) Spray your Tupperware
with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato based sauces and
there won't be any stains.
16) When a cake recipe calls
for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and
there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake.
17) Wrap celery in aluminum
foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.
18) When boiling corn on the
cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural
sweetness.
19) Cure for headaches: Take
a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will
go away.
20) Don't throw out all that
leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and
sauces.
21). To get rid of itch from
mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience
instant relief.
22) Ants, ants, ants
everywhere . Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So get
your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to
march. See for yourself.
23) Use air-freshener to
clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely
smell to the shine.
24) When you get a splinter,
reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle.
Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, then pull it off. Scotch
tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.
25) Now look what you can do
with Alka Seltzer: *Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets,
wait twenty minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent
action clean vitreous China.
26) Clean a vase. To remove a
stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and
drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.
27) Polish jewelry. Drop two
Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewellery
for two minutes.
28) Clean a thermos bottle.
Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let
soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary).
29) Unclog a drain. Clear the
sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down the drain
followed by a cup of White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then run the
hot water.
Thought you might
find this useful. -- Trish
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