Helpful hints from Forumite Heloises...

[mamselle]

Does anyone else remember this? Is it still running anywhere?

In any case, household wisdom to reduce stress and solve problems...all safe, practical suggestions welcome (or maybe a few fantasyland ideas for fun...)

So, these hit me today....

1. Cream of tartar (a pinch or two) after flushing whitens the toilet bowl. ('struth)

2. Those little gnats that fly up out of the sink's drainpipes can be stopped with one of those little aluminum dollar pie plates placed over the open drain..at least, they fit mine...

3. Others? Your wisdom will help us all!

M.

[polly_mer]

Heloise has a website: http://heloise.com

[mamselle]

Cool!

I should have checked.

However, I bet this group has great ideas as well.

Don't be shy.

If it works, it works.

M.

[sprout]

Fruitfly trap: 

jar with some depth
Add juice - I usually use grape juice
Add extra sugar, as  much as you like
Add dish soap (important!  If you forget this, you're making a breeding ground instead of a trap.  Be generous)
Stir it up to dissolve sugar and soap
Cover with plastic wrap and a rubber band
poke a few holes in the plastic wrap

(I'm sure I found this on the web at some point years ago.)

[mamselle]

Bookmarking.

Oh, I started the thread.

Oh, well!

M.

[ergative]

Put masking tape on either side of the nail clipper to catch the flying shards. Then you don't need to clip your nails over a magazine or a trash can.

[mamselle]

Brilliant!

How did you see me doing just that (hunkered over the tiny bathroom trashcan) the other day?

;--}

M.

[Thursday's_Child]

Put masking tape on either side of the nail clipper to catch the flying shards. Then you don't need to clip your nails over a magazine or a trash can.

Or, clip them in the shower or tub so the shards wash down the drain.  If you do this after they've soaked a bit it's generally easier to do all steps of the clean & clip & push cuticles back routine.  The major difficulty with this is keeping my reading glasses from getting all foggy.

[ergative]

Put masking tape on either side of the nail clipper to catch the flying shards. Then you don't need to clip your nails over a magazine or a trash can.

Or, clip them in the shower or tub so the shards wash down the drain.  If you do this after they've soaked a bit it's generally easier to do all steps of the clean & clip & push cuticles back routine.  The major difficulty with this is keeping my reading glasses from getting all foggy.

Oh, yes, that's a thought, although it might get a bit tricky with toenails. Sitting in a shower is not as comfortable as standing.

[nebo113]

Or just get a mani/pedi.

[onehappyunicorn]

I use peroxide in place of bleach for cleaning, it does a great job on mildew and is way less dangerous. Blue dawn and white vinegar in a spray bottle will clean just about anything.

[nebo113]

Vinegar.  Peroxide.  Baking soda.  Borax.

[mamselle]

To try in order, or mix together all at once?

;--}

M.

[hmaria1609]

The "Ask Heloise" feature appears in the "Washington Post" throughout the week.

I like to use dish washing liquid to get food stains off clothes at work.  It's best to do it after the splash of liquid or juice, sauce, spill, etc.

[nebo113]

To try in order, or mix together all at once?

;--}

M.

Both....and duct tape and gorilla glue  ~:)