More For Less: Household Thrift
My buddy, Mike sent me a link to the UK's Daily Telegraph. Apparently, frugality is fashionable all over the world. It only took a recession for everyone else to figure it out.
If frugal living is new to you, welcome. Glad you could join our very exclusive club.
Below a few of my favorite tips from the clippings Mike sent me.
• Boost the flavor of corn on the cob Add 50g (about 2oz) powdered milk to a pan of boiling water before you put in the corn. It will make the flavor sweeter and fresher.
• Keep squirrels away from bird feeder by greasing the pole with petroleum jelly. The squirrels will slide straight off, leaving the birds to eat in peace. Poor squirrels.
• Resize a shrunk sweater You can often bring a 'downsized' sweater back to full size again with baby shampoo and warm water. Fill a basin with warm water, squirt in some baby shampoo, and swish once with your hand. Lay the sweater on top of the water and let it sink on its own and soak for 15 minutes. Gently take your sweater out without wringing it and put it in a container, then fill the sink again with clean water. Lay the sweater on top and let it sink again to rinse.
Take the sweater out, place it on a towel, and roll the towel to take out most of the moisture. Lay the sweater on a dry towel on a flat surface and gently start to reshape it. Come back to the sweater while it is drying to reshape a little more each time. Your patience should be rewarded with a full-sized sweater.
Geez Louise, where was this tip when Greg shrunk my favorite sweater?
• Use flip-flops to remove pet hairs from the carpet – put it on your hand and scrape. (Ed. Note) You can also use a rubber glove.
--given my circumstances, I am ALWAYS looking for ways to remove pet hair from everything!
Other More For Less posts
If frugal living is new to you, welcome. Glad you could join our very exclusive club.
Below a few of my favorite tips from the clippings Mike sent me.
• Boost the flavor of corn on the cob Add 50g (about 2oz) powdered milk to a pan of boiling water before you put in the corn. It will make the flavor sweeter and fresher.
• Keep squirrels away from bird feeder by greasing the pole with petroleum jelly. The squirrels will slide straight off, leaving the birds to eat in peace. Poor squirrels.
• Resize a shrunk sweater You can often bring a 'downsized' sweater back to full size again with baby shampoo and warm water. Fill a basin with warm water, squirt in some baby shampoo, and swish once with your hand. Lay the sweater on top of the water and let it sink on its own and soak for 15 minutes. Gently take your sweater out without wringing it and put it in a container, then fill the sink again with clean water. Lay the sweater on top and let it sink again to rinse.
Take the sweater out, place it on a towel, and roll the towel to take out most of the moisture. Lay the sweater on a dry towel on a flat surface and gently start to reshape it. Come back to the sweater while it is drying to reshape a little more each time. Your patience should be rewarded with a full-sized sweater.
Geez Louise, where was this tip when Greg shrunk my favorite sweater?
• Use flip-flops to remove pet hairs from the carpet – put it on your hand and scrape. (Ed. Note) You can also use a rubber glove.
--given my circumstances, I am ALWAYS looking for ways to remove pet hair from everything!
Other More For Less posts
Comments
Actually, this doesn't work, at least not long term. Squirrels (and chipmunks, which are my biggest problem -- I have about 10 to every squirrel) will either find another way to get to the feeder (like leaping from a nearby tree) or simply climb and slide, climb and slide until the pole is clean.
It does make for some pretty great amusement while it lasts, though.
*G*
My bird feeder has a smooth, wide plastic dome on top. They might be able to climb up the pole, but I've never seen them hang onto the dome. There's nothing for them to hang onto.
I like squirrels. There's one that visits me everyday. He likes to hang outside my studio window.
Try WD-40. It might do the trick.
Goof Off is good too but it will take the wall paint off along with the ink.
One trick I use is that when I paint I always keep aside a small amount in a little plastic tub under the sink.
For some reason, my kitchens always need touch ups. I might have half a gallon in the garage, but the little tub of paint is fast and more convenient.
Good luck, Heather.