Freezing Bulk Garlic?
Id suggest putting the cut (or whole) garlic cloves in something a bit more odor proof than a zipper bag before freezing. Maybe something like a pimento jar. Not too many folks appreciate vanilla-garlic ice cream :-)
Natural Remedies for Dog's Dermatitis?
Pyrethrin insecticides have a dangerous sounding name but they are extracts from the very natural chrysanthemum flower. They kill fleas and might be useful on floors and bedding. (An exterminator once told me that every flea has to return to the floor within...
Washer Door Damaged by Goof Off?
First be sure the sticker goo is all gone. Vegetable oil on a soft cloth is a safe method. (Dispose of cloth safely afterwards, as it can spontaneously catch fire.) If the plastic still looks mutilated, Novus Plastic Polish is far and away the best brand Ive...
Temporary Fix for Audio and Game CDs
A professional DJ told me that in a pinch he polishes the scratch with creamy peanut butter.
Washer Doesn't Spin Properly Using Cold Rinse Cycle?
Do you get this problem literally always, or just when you are washing heavy loads of long, tangly things? In the latter case, liquid fabric softener can help.
Toilet Clogged With Disposable Towels?
If the clog does not yield to a plunger, try a garden hose, using a gun-type nozzle to blast a jet of water up the trap of the toilet. Failing that you might have luck with a toilet snake.
Resurfacing an Acrylic Kitchen Sink?
If you want high gloss and durability at a low price, just get an ordinary porcelain enameled iron sink. Check around at local home centers to see if you can find one on sale or if you can buy a display unit on clearance. If you must have a custom color, Swanstone...
Clothes Dryer Isn't Heating Properly?
Even if the problem is just your lint screen or something else, its good to clean the whole vent system out. Lint easily gets past the screen. Clean the opening where the lint screen goes, as well as anything you can get to inside the dryer from the vent pipe...
Flattening Curved Seat Cushions?
Would it help to put the cushions between the mattress and box springs of a regular bed, for a while?
Adjusting Microwave Door Hinges?
The only safe answer is to take the oven to a shop that repairs these ovens. If the door is crooked enough that its not engaging the interlock properly when shut, you likely have a microwave leak too. Nuke the food, not your face.
Scratches on High Gloss Floor Tiles?
These may not be scratches at all, but only metal marks. If Bar Keepers Friend or Zud were not among the cleansers you tried, then try one of them. They will chemically remove the metal marks.
Loose Hinges and Screws
Another possibility would be to temporarily take out the hinge pins and separate the door from the hinges. Then put the loose screws back in with a powerful epoxy like JB Weld, with or without filler. Once that cures, reinstall the door. Those screws will never...
Toilet Keeps Clogging?
If the problem isnt something solid stuck in the trap, it might be a badly designed low water usage toilet. Its possible to get pressurized tanks today. Theyre pricey and theyre loud like their public toilet cousins, but they flush like champs.
Replacing a 15/20 Breaker?
15/20 that sure sounds like a weird, specialty combination. Trying to kludge it with a 15/15 or 20/20 will probably violate your electrical code in some manner. The former may leave you with insufficient capacity in a place like your kitchen (as well as having...
Greenish Spots on Black Pants?
Greenish spots... under the zipper. Brass zipper maybe, or zipper made of brass and silvery metal crimped together? It might be copper oxide. This is easily removed with a mixture of table salt and vinegar.
Sink Drain Gurgles?
Roof vents can get clogged from sewage backing up into the stacks from below or insect nests from above. Keep an eye and ear out for the gurgle turning into additional plumbing poltergeists such as burps into some other fixture. If so you will probably need...
Overflowing Toilet?
A guy I knew had a rubber diaper lodge somehow over the exit of his houses drain line into the main street sewer. Roto rooting only worsened the problem as the loosened debris caught in the diaper which was acting as an intermittent gate valve. The problem...
Removing Something Stuck in the Dishwasher?
Big or small deal, would depend on the particular machine. Special tools or special sizes of tools may be required that the serviceman didnt have. (I had to visit a hardware store to get the correct size socket to remove the guts of the grinder in my older...
Burn Mark on Marble Countertop?
What burned the marble - and is it real marble or a manmade look alike? Real marble is hard to burn, a hot pan is not enough. I have a marble tiled hearth and it has not burned despite getting hot coals on it. If its a synthetic, try bleach. There are entire...
Use Crafty Cheats to Mend Clothes
The cuffs and waists of cotton jeans that are beginning to fray can have their life prolonged by rubbing clear silicone glue into the fraying area. Once the glue has cured (about 24 hours) the jeans can be worn, washed, dried, and even ironed as normal. Another...
Removing Fabric Softener from Washing Machine?
If this is a Whirlpool clone, there should be a tab to release the drawer. Check the owners manual. The release tab on mine is at the rear left of the drawer. Then (or in my machine even without totally removing the drawer) it should be possible to lift out...
Dog Ate Couch Arm?
I agree with the folks who say to get a re-upholstery pro. There might be enough spare fabric in a hidden area, such as the back, to be used for the covering, but let the pro do it. Meanwhile get some Bitter Apple spray at your veterinarian or pet supply store...
Making Gravy Mix Taste Homemade?
Another thing I discovered quite by accident is that sodium free bouillon mixes make an excellent gravy stock with just a small amount of salt added (less than would be present in a normal bouillon or even a jarred soup base). These dietetic bouillons make...
Homemade Presents For Dog Lover?
Is this a hunting doggie or one that likes to run outside in the winter? Make it some protective booties from old bicycle inner tubes.
Making Burlap Stiff?
For lazy crafters, try spray starch. I got a huge can of it from a dollar store not too long ago for... a dollar.
Making Burlap Stiff?
PS whatever is used to stiffen the burlap, the planter should be lined with something so water doesnt get on the burlap. That would un-stiffen it in a hurry.
Keeping Grass From Growing In Brick Driveway?
I believe the original requester wanted no grass, not short grass. In the winter, vegetation on the driveway contributes together with ice to slipperiness. Roundup isnt the only option. A seconds Googling for grass killer turned up a green (oxymoron given the...
Cafeteria "Lubys" Baked Cod Recipe?
Mmm 3.5-4 cups, thats a lot of mayo! Thats equivalent to almost the same volume of vegetable oil. Maybe just brushing the tops with melted butter before seasoning would work. Grated cheese too, dont forget that. (sharp Cheddar and/or Parmesan to taste) Brush...
Spray Painting a Recliner?
Paint is OK for wooden parts. For durability it should be topped with a wood finish like polyurethane. For vinyl, cloth, or leather, you will need an appropriate dye. (What the heck is floral spray paint, anyhow? You just spritz it on and you get a flower design...
Removing Kerosene From Wool?
If its only kerosene, simply hang the item outside and permit it to dry. This could take a few days in cold temperatures, an afternoon in warm summer sun. If it still has an objectionable odor or has a stain, get it dry cleaned.
$10 Mushroom Gravy Meal
WELL, Farrah, even you had to pay for the electricity to pump the free water out of your well. Why not splurge. Tomato juice (unsalted) instead of water. Now its a $11 meal. Serve it on Sundays.
Softening Stiff Blue Jeans?
To be really frugal dont worry about it. Theyll soften up themselves after a few washes, and meanwhile enjoy the new jean smell and feel experience while it lasts. Wash new jeans together with old ones to brighten up the color of the old ones. Wash and dry...
How Do I Remove Cooking Oil Stains From a Wooden Floor?
Of course vinegar wont touch oil. Why do you think that oil and vinegar salad dressings have to be shaken just before serving? I suggest mineral spirits or kerosene, and paper towels. (NOT naphtha or gasoline -- its fumes are flammable. If there is any doubt...
Make Frozen Lasagna Taste Homemade
Seems to me you could also freeze your own ready-to-go lasagna and pop it out of the pans to wrap in freezer wrap, to be returned to the pans and baked later. Good homemade lasagna does not require boiling or even using no-boil noodles. Just add an extra cup...
An Introduction to Lasagna Gardening
This would certainly produce greatly elevated garden beds. Be sure to warn the kids not to step into the stuff, or theyll sink down to the cardboard boxes.
Disguising White Marks On Jeans
Or, simply avoid the marks by scrubbing stains on the wrong side, and washing the pants inside out.
Sand Art Pictures?
Pour the colored sand on the sticky side of the clear paper, viewing it in a mirror from beneath?
Nicotine Stains on a Purse?
Why do yall ladies get so wrought up over fancy hand bags when we guys hardly think about our wallets (except for the money within :-) If you didnt tell anybody, I bet most would never guess the bag was not supposed to be that color in the first place, and...
Making Kerosene Pure?
I would rather suspect the color is put in to distinguish kerosene intended for internal combustion engines (it is similar to diesel) which incurs a road tax, from kerosene intended for heaters and lamps, which is not road taxed. Nobody would want to drink...
Spray Paint on Jeans?
Paint remover? I dont know if Citristrip can be had in the land of OZ. It is virtually non-toxic, although very slow. Other more powerful chemicals could be used, outdoors. Or just spritz on more paint strategically, so it all looks like it was done on purpose...
Spray Paint on Jeans?
Alcohol is great for getting off latex (house) paints. Probably will not touch enamel.
Cooking Oil Residue on Plastic?
Pour half a cup of household ammonia in the jar and put the lid on. Let it sit a day, shaking well from time to time. Pour it out (beware the fumes) and wash the jar normally.
Smell Left After Dryer Caught Fire?
Check local landlord-tenant laws. Some attorneys may provide an initial half hour or so counseling for free. You may be able to force the replacement of the dryer or reimbursement if you replace it yourself. (Or, you may be able to find a cheap used one.)
Getting Smoke Smell Off a Mattress?
At Bed, Bath and Beyond or similar home furnishing stores, you can get waterproof zippered mattress covers. Cover the mattress and no more stink.
Advice for a Pink Room?
Or shoot, why not use pink light bulbs to complete the theme, and paint for girls only in pink polka dots on the door. Your little brothers will never dare enter your pink boudoir. Your big brothers and dad will laugh.
Nasty Old Pet Stains?
Let me plug a product that I have no business association with. Anti-Icky-Poo. It is great for nasty old pet stains and nasty new pet stains alike. It contains a harmless bacterial culture that consumes the wastes. It will even follow the wastes down into the...
15 Amp Outlets Running off 20 Amp Breakers?
Some local electrical codes permit 15 amp sockets on 20 amp circuits provided that the wiring itself is correctly rated (12 ga. copper). Codes in other areas forbid this. You can verify wire size by comparing what is connected to your outlet with a sample that...
Detergent Spill on Suede Boots?
Holding the boots upside down to keep from getting water inside, run some lukewarm water over them and gently brush with a soft brush until the detergent is gone. Blot the suede dry with a towel and completely dry in front of a fan (not heated air). Use suede...
Lemon-Sage Turkey with Wild-Mushroom Gravy
Alph youre right, waste not want not. The giblets take extra time to deal with. (How long do you have to boil a turkey heart or gizzard, anyhow, so they dont end up as bits of rubber in the gravy?) Feed to cat or dog, theyll appreciate being part of the feast...
Getting Fish Smell Off George Foreman Grill?
Heat it up to maximum and keep it hot for an hour or so. The fish odor will burn away.
