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Author Topic: Homebody Handy Hints  (Read 6622 times)

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AGelbert

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Homebody Handy Hints
« on: November 25, 2013, 12:27:52 am »
13 Surprising Uses for Dental Floss Around the House.





1. Fix a Noisy Faucet. Can’t stand that noisy faucet? For a quick fix, tie floss around the spout so that it hangs down into the sink. Instead of nosily plopping on the bowl of the sink, the water will just crawl down the floss.

2. Hang Pictures. Sturdy dental floss is a great alternative to regular string or wire when it comes to hanging pictures.

3. Remove Stuck-On Photos. Don’t risk damaging your priceless photos. To remove photos that are stuck into albums, use a piece of floss to slowly coax them out.

4. Prevent Rope From Fraying. This is an old Boy Scout’s trick: to “whip” a rope, or prevent it from fraying, tightly loop the floss around the rope. Detailed instructions can be found here.

5. Give Plants Some Support. Climbing plants often need a little support. That’s where dental floss comes in — it’s a great material for tying plants to a trellis.
Earlier: Making European-Style Butter at Home is Surprisingly Easy

Food.

6. Slice Cake, Cheesecake and Cinnamon Rolls. Cut your cakes with magazine photo-perfect precision by using an unwaxed and unflavored piece of floss.

7. Precisely Slice Soft Cheese. Believe it or not, floss is often better at slicing soft cheese than a fancy cheese knife.

8. Lift Cookies off a Baking Tray. To transfer your still-warm cookies to a plate without them crumbling, carefully work a piece of floss under the cookie and painlessly lift them off.

9. Use as Kitchen Twine. Unflavored and unwaxed dental floss is a perfectly fine replacement for kitchen twine.
See Also: 4 Ways to Extend the Life of Green Onions

Fashion.

10. Re-String Broken Jewelry. Because it’s just so sturdy, dental floss is a really great substitute for jewelry string or wire.

11. Sew Better. Floss is a much sturdier fiber than thread is. So, if you really want your button to stay firmly in place, a little floss will really do the trick. It’s not just buttons, either, floss can easily repair tents, backpacks, and other heavy-duty outdoor stuff.

12. Fix a Broken Umbrella. Don’t throw out that broken umbrella — fix it with floss! You don’t even need to sew anything (though that certainly would help) to fix it: simply tying the metal spines and the material together will work well, too.

13. Remove a Too-Tight Ring. It got on your finger, but how are you going to get it off?! Well, one good method is to tightly wrap your finger in floss, and then slip the ring right off. 



Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/13-surprising-uses-for-dental-floss.html#ixzz2lWrTY400
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

Surly1

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Re: Homebody Handy Hints
« Reply #1 on: December 08, 2013, 12:11:06 pm »
Extraordinary. Learned a lot from this article.

LOVE this stuff.

AGelbert

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Re: Homebody Handy Hints
« Reply #2 on: December 08, 2013, 03:00:58 pm »
Thanks. I learned a lot too. I particularly liked the "floss to get a ring off" trick. It had never occurred to me.   
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

AGelbert

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He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

AGelbert

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8 Ways NOT to Use Vinegar
« Reply #4 on: December 30, 2013, 03:29:26 pm »
Quote
Vinegar is a liquid consisting mainly of acetic acid (CH3COOH) and water. The acetic acid is produced by the fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria.


Quote
Distilled vinegar

The term "distilled vinegar" is something of a misnomer, because it is not produced by the distillation of vinegar, but rather, by the fermentation of distilled alcohol. The fermentate is then diluted to produce a colorless solution of about 5% to 8% acetic acid in water, with a pH of about 2.4.

This is variously known as distilled spirit or "virgin" vinegar, or white vinegar, and is used for medicinal, laboratory, and cleaning purposes, as well as in cooking, baking, meat preservation, and pickling.

The most common starting material in some regions, because of its low cost, is malt. In the United States, corn (maize) is the usual starting ingredient for most distilled vinegars, such as the Heinz brand.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinegar

8 Ways Not to Use Vinegar  8)

By Adam Verwymeren, Networx

Common household vinegar is one of those wonder products that people are always discovering new uses for. Whether you want to drive away dandruff, eradicate mildew, or keep bugs at bay, vinegar has been proposed as a solution to just about every problem under the sun.
But while it has a number of uses, vinegar isn’t always the solution, and on occasion it can be downright dangerous. Here are the top 8 ways not to put this miracle substance to work in your home.

1. While vinegar is good at cleaning many things, you shouldn’t confuse it with soap. Alkaline cleaners like dish detergent are ideally suited for lifting grease, whereas vinegar will have little effect on it. If you have a greasy cleaning job, reach for regular soap and leave the vinegar on the shelf.

2. You should never use vinegar on waxed surfaces. The vinegar will only strip the wax off, dulling the sheen on your nicely shined car. However, vinegar is a great option if you’re looking to remove an old coat of wax before you put down a fresh layer of polish.

3. Do not use vinegar on marble countertops or other stoneware, as it can cause the stone to pit and corrode, according to the Marble Institute.

4. Your smartphone and laptop monitor probably have a thin layer of oleophobic coating that limits fingerprints and smudges. Acidic vinegar can strip this off, so you should never use it to clean sensitive screens.

5. Cast iron and aluminum are reactive surfaces. If you want to use vinegar to clean pots and pans, use it exclusively on stainless steel and enameled cast iron cookware.

6. While both bleach and vinegar are powerful cleaning agents, when mixed together they make a powerful chemical weapon. Chlorine gas, the stuff used to clear the trenches in World War I, results when bleach is mixed with an acidic substance, so never mix them together.

7. While vinegar can be useful as an insecticide, you shouldn’t spray it directly on bug-infested plants as it can damage them. However, you can use vinegar’s plant-killing effect to your advantage by using it as a weed killer, as suggested by several people on Hometalk.

8. If you’re the victim of an egging, do not try to dissolve the remnants of this prank away with vinegar. Vinegar will cause the proteins in the egg to coagulate, creating a gluey substance that is even more impossible to clean up, says Popular Mechanics.

I also feel obligated to say that although vinegar is touted as a great way to remove mildew and mold, like bleach it only kills surface mold. Most mold problems are deeper than what you see on the surface, and your best bet is to kill them at their source (which is usually leaks and rotting drywall).

Related:
23 Ingenious Uses for White Vinegar
We Tested It: Cleaning the House with Toothpaste
30 Things in Your House That Could Explode



http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-ways-not-to-use-vinegar.html#ixzz2ozS2oIWi

Agelbert NOTE: Organic vinegar is normally made from apples, not corn. Considering that corn stock for vinegar is GMO corn, it is something to think about... :)

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

AGelbert

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Tips for Sharpening Yard Tools
« Reply #5 on: April 28, 2014, 03:34:02 pm »
Tips for Sharpening Yard Tools 


Jenny Stanley

Editor


Agelbert NOTE: PICTURES AT LINK


Still can’t part with that rusty old shovel you’ve had since 1970? Or how about that hand-me-down garden trowel that’s more like a workout aid than a planting tool? And let’s not forget those squeaky shears that give you blisters.


The good news is you don’t have to get rid of those crusty-but-trusty tools: You can restore them to their former glory with the following tried-and-true sharpening tactics.

Presharpening prep

 First you must get rid of dirt, grime and rust on the surface of tools before you can do any sharpening. Steel wool works great for this step. If you don’t have any on hand, try using a wadded piece of aluminum foil, a wire brush or a rotary tool with a wire-bristle attachment. Use a solvent to remove any lingering traces of rust.

Don’t forget about safety gear. Sparks can fly when you’re grinding metal, so wear eye and ear protection and flame-resistant clothing. Note that gloves are not recommended when using rotary tools or grinding wheels because they can get caught in the fast-moving parts.

File away

 Most single-bevel outdoor hand tools, such as classic and border shovels, trowels, spades, etc., can be sharpened with a flat bastard-cut mill file. (You can find this standard file at most hardware stores.)

Start by securing the tool to the work surface using clamps or a vise; the edge to be sharpened should be facing up. Press the file down and away from you along the digging edge in one steady motion. Use both hands on the file to help maintain a consistent angle (photo below). Pick up the file and continue sharpening in this same direction until a clean metal edge appears along the entire bevel. To prevent the file from clogging, dip it in water frequently. This will also help to cool and lubricate the tool you are sharpening. Gently sand off any burrs using medium-grit sandpaper.


The bevel on most diggers can be found along the back edge. To allow a longer filing motion, use scrap wood to prop up the tool you are sharpening.

For tools that work best with finely sharpened blades (pruners, shears, etc.), a honing stone or diamond sharpener will help you achieve more acute angles.

Shear sharpening by the numbers


Scour the blade surface.



Mark the beveled edges; follow the manufacturer’s original angle, so the shears continue to work properly. The marks will disappear as you sharpen.


Disassemble the shears. Starting at a high point on the blade, press a honing stone down and away from you along the beveled edge. Continue in this motion until you’ve achieved the desired sharpness. Apply a few drops of mineral oil for lubrication and quicker results.

High-speed honing


 Rotary tools, electric-drill attachments and bench grinders are speedier alternatives for sharpening outdoor hand tools. However, if you choose to use any of these high-speed options, be careful to avoid overshaping or overheating, which can ultimately weaken metal tools.

Most rotary tools have accessories designed specifically for cleaning, shaping, sharpening and deburring metal. Be sure to select one that will give you the most control when working with each tool. Once you’ve selected the appropriate accessory, clamp the tool you are sharpening to a work surface, turn on the rotary tool and gently guide it along the bevel (photo below). When a clean metal edge appears and you’re satisfied with its sharpness, remove the burrs and you’re done. Follow this same process if you’re sharpening with an electric-drill attachment.


Rotary-tool bits quickly grind metal edges sharp. Remember to hold the rotary tool steady as you sharpen to get a consistent bevel angle across the edge.

A high-speed grinding wheel (photo below) is useful for sharpening your most distressed outdoor hand tools, as it quickly reshapes dull and damaged edges. However, since it is stationary, it does require a little more skill to hold the tool you are sharpening at a consistent angle. Also, water must be applied frequently at the point of friction to avoid overheating.


When using a grinding wheel, the more pressure you apply, the faster you sharpen. Check your progress after each pass to avoid overshaping.

Whether you choose to hone your trusty outdoor tools using hand files, stones, rotary tools or high-speed grinders, you’ll surely keep them looking (and working) sharp for many years to come.

Preserve and protect


 After shaving years of wear and tear off of your favorite outdoor hand tools, keep them shipshape with these additional maintenance tips:

Clean tools after each use.
Lubricate all moving parts and beveled edges before storing.
Sand wood handles smooth and apply one or two coats of weather-resistant finish; replace broken handles.
Store your tools indoors and in a dry area.


What do you think about these tool-sharpening tips? Tell us in the forum, and then add a few tips of your own.

http://handy.scout.com/story/1392956-tips-for-sharpening-yard-tools?s=154
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

AGelbert

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Re: Homebody Handy Hints
« Reply #6 on: April 30, 2014, 11:52:42 pm »
Says the Handyman Club of America:
Trick Question About Ladder Injuries
Here’s the question: What are more than half of all ladder-related accidents among professionals related to?

That’s easy, you say. The answer is falling!


Nope. This being a trick question and all, it turns out the correct answer is strains and sprains caused by repeated handling of heavy ladders. Moving these monsters can be the toughest part of your task, but things lighten up a lot with the new Little Giant Velocity 24-ft. Fiberglass Extension Ladder. This ladder is lighter than ordinary extension ladders, which reduces fatigue, improves maneuverability and prevents injuries. Also:


Red “warning” rungs remind you not to climb too high. 

A balance-point sticker shows the best grasp-and-carry point.

A pulley-rope system placed on the outside of the climbing zone reduces tripping.    Also, side-mounted pulleys reduce the force required to raise the fly section by 60 percent.



Agelbert NOTE: Interesting info. But I have to ask, are these "idiot proof" measures going to work? Injuries occur when we become "idiots" (i.e. distracted). I don't see humans avoiding being distracted. It just happens. That's why when I do a job, my wife is watching me work. You see, I have, and always have had, a tendency to get distracted ("instant idiot" LOL!). So, I know of what I speak, so to speak.  :P  I have actually used ladders like the above made from aluminum to climb quite high inside bank buildings to (it's NOT what ya think!) apply reflective film to gigantic windows 12 to 18 feet tall and several feet across. They are light, worked well except for the rope being in the center back then and  those rotating feet with the rubber class are what saved my arse a few times ladders without those tend to slip when the angle isn't right on a floor inside a building.  ??? At the end of the day, your arse is dragging from moving the ladder around. Less weight (as long as there is no loss in ladder strength - I DO NOT WANT the rungs flexing under my feet!) have been welcome.  8) I Worked with scaffoldings too (easier but those are REALLY HEAVY compared with ladders). Their advantage is you just set them up once and roll them to the next giant glass panel until the job is done in a day or several. Then you take them down. If the job is big enough, scaffoldings can save time.



This is a church but ya get the idea... ;)

« Last Edit: May 16, 2014, 08:39:25 pm by AGelbert »
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

AGelbert

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiYOw5NsoKY&feature=player_embedded

A great way to light up several areas with only ONE light source (day OR night!).  ;D

BUT, doomers are free to rub sticks together to make light from fire for their UBERMENSCH, DARWINIAN SURVIVERS OF THE IMMINENT, HORRIBLE, DASTARDLY BUT "WELL DESERVED" (according to Dumbers - whoops - I mean Doomers, of course  ;D), "ZOMBIE" POPULATION DIE OFF.   

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

AGelbert

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTPYWBg3Bt8&feature=player_embedded
Look Ma, no fossil fuels needed for LIGHT OR HEAT! And YEAH, you CAN (solar fresnel lense or dish concentrator) even make round glass shapes or hollow (cheaper!) LARGE glass lense shapes to fill with mineral oil and get 2000 F degrees PLUS as long as the sun exists. Once you have ONE lense, you can make a million of them!

But of course, practical reality never stops Doomers in their quest to rationalize (irrationally) our impending DOOM.

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

AGelbert

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Giant Fresnel Lens Deathray: An Experiment in Optics

Quote

So you don't have access to your own rail gun or military space laser....but never fear, we'll use the 1000 Watts/m2 of free sunlight in your backyard!! But how?  ???

....A 13 square foot magnifying glass!  ;)

Seriously. A solid glass lens that size would be silly, but instead we can use a 4 foot wide Fresnel lens. You know, those clear, flat things with the ridges, you find them on overhead projectors and rear windows on some buses? The idea is pretty simple: a Fresnel lens is just a normal curved lens chopped into thousands of little rings, but just as effective
.



http://www.instructables.com/id/Giant-Fresnel-Lens-Deathray-An-Experiment-in-Opti/

Agelbert NOTE: Persons lacking knowledge of light concentration physics that assume industrial civilization requires fossil fuels for manufacturing of any and all metal alloys, glass, plastics, insulation, bricks, fiber optics, reflective film, mirrors, solar cells, wind turbines or WHATEVER will find the article depressing.   
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

AGelbert

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For those who have forgotten why mineral oil is used with light microscopes:  8)
Immersion Oil


These lenses are designed to be used with cedar wood oil, a naturally occurring product from the tree. Its refractive index of approximately 1.52, is almost identical to that of the glass used for slides and coverslips. Synthetic oils have been formulated which are more stable, and can be obtained in various viscosities. Other fluids such as glycerine, and also mineral and vegetable oils work , but their refractive indices and dispersive powers vary somewhat from that of glass, and hence cannot be expected to elicit the best imagery from the specimen.

http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artmar02/pjoil.html


Agelbert NOTE: BUT, Mineral oil CAN replace GLASS as a cheap, plentiful, ubiquitous, never gonna run out, etc. lense material.  ;D




He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

AGelbert

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8 Helpful Uses for Vinegar in Your Pet Household
« Reply #11 on: May 14, 2014, 01:21:01 am »
8 Helpful Uses for Vinegar in Your Pet Household
Lisa Spector

May 12, 2014

While you might find white vinegar in the food section of grocery stores, there are also many great uses for vinegar beyond the kitchen. The ASPCA says vinegar is an environmentally friendly odor destroyer. If you have dogs, cats, fish or birds, you’ll find these tips very helpful. Several are from VinegarTips.com.

Want a clean birdbath? Scrub it with undiluted white distilled vinegar followed by a good rinse.
Does your cat scratch your favorite chair? Simply spray white distilled vinegar on the chair. Just make sure you test a hidden area first for discoloration.

Flies bothering your horse? Spray a mixture of water and white distilled vinegar around the horse area.

Did your puppy have an accident? Pair vinegar with baking soda. It goes a great job of getting rid of the stain and the odor.

Worried about your cat eating toxic plants? Just spray the leaves with a mixture of white distilled vinegar and water.

Want to get rid of deposits and water lines in your aquarium? Simply wipe it down with white distilled vinegar followed by a rinse. If you have stubborn deposits, you may need to soak overnight.

Did your dog get sprayed by a skunk? Wipe him with a half and half solution of white distilled vinegar and water, followed by a bath. Another alternative that works is the mixture of 1 quart hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 to 2 teaspoons of liquid dish soap.

Got cat litter odor? Pour 1/2 inch of white distilled vinegar in the empty litter box and swish it around. Let it stand for 15 minutes.



Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-helpful-uses-for-vinegar-in-your-pet-household.html#ixzz31fEg7TyE
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

AGelbert

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Re: Homebody Handy Hints
« Reply #12 on: May 16, 2014, 08:10:34 pm »

 ;D

This is from a European BLOG form a lawyer in Spain so don't get your dander up on the spelling. Damnant quodnon intelligunt   ;)
























He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

AGelbert

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Low-Maintenance Landscaping:
Replace Your Lawn with Grass Alternatives 

 


Cut yard work and save money  with low-maintenance landscaping. Replace your conventional grass yard with drought-tolerant, low-maintenance grass alternatives. 


Read more: http://www.motherearthliving.com/gardening/low-maintenance-landscaping-zmfz12mazmel.aspx#ixzz33ojcoHyO

[/img]















http://www.motherearthliving.com/gardening/low-maintenance-landscaping-zmfz12mazmel.aspx?SlideShow=9
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

AGelbert

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Re: Homebody Handy Hints
« Reply #14 on: July 29, 2014, 06:31:32 pm »
I like toilet paper. I don't know how to make toilet paper. Do you?

Common mullein, a.k.a. "Cowboy toilet paper"

but when that isn't available:



http://preparedforthat.com/saving-butt-survival-situation-alternatives-toilet-paper/
              
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

 

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