July 16, 2009

Daily Thrifty Tips - July 16, 2009


Vol. 8, Num. 138, July 16, 2009 (Read It Online)

We have lots of new requests today, please look them over to see if you have any advice to offer.

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Today's Photos:

Salem (Black Cat)

Salem is almost a year old black cat. I picked her out of a friend's litter of kittens,she was 5 weeks old. She likes to stalk me.

By moonseekerjade from Onset,MA

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Salem (Black Cat)

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Contests:

These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!

Today's Tips:

Removing Drink Stains on Carpet

To my horror, my strawberry margarita slipped off the end table and disaster struck on my light beige apartment carpet. Being a typical male I begin rubbing not blotting the stain and after a while of scrubbing gave up and went to bed. The next morning it looked worse.

The Home Depot trip purchase did not solve the problem, so I found a tip on this website that I thought I would try and after a little contemplating (since I am an Engineer) I perfected it. Here are the steps to remove a set red stain such as the above mentioned (koolaid, red juices, etc.):

  1. 1. Make a small container mix of hot water with an ample amount of blue Dawn dish washing liquid.

  2. Pour the solution on the stained area and wait about a minute or so to let the Dawn do its work.

  3. Grab a roll of paper towels (like Bounty, the "Quicker Picker Upper").

  4. Get your iron out and plug it in with the setting on high. Let it warm up nice and hot.

  5. Take about 5 or 6 sections of dry paper towels and fold them so they are just wider than your iron and lay them over the stained area.

  6. Take your hot iron and press down on the paper towels. (Don't let your iron contact the carpet directly or you will have a bigger problem, since most carpet is made from plastic, such as nylon,) Instantly the paper towels will begin soaking up the water and a steaming action will occur, hot steam everywhere. Don't worry its just the hot iron and water making contact. You have just created an instant home steam cleaner that will work on most stains actually.

  7. When you lift your iron, you should see the stain color being wicked up on the paper towels.

  8. When that batch of paper towels becomes soaked, make a new batch and repeat until the towels don't soak up much water anymore.

  9. On my stain, I had to apply 3 batches of Dawn and hot water, repeating the whole steaming process.

  10. With a little patience the stain disappeared and my apartment deposit is still intact.

  11. Don't use white cloth towels as others have suggested, why ruin a perfectly good towel or rag. Paper towels are cheap and soak up the moisture more effectively.

Let me hear about your success stories.

Source: This is an improvement to a tip I found on this site.

By El Marko from El Paso, TX

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Post Your Freezer's Inventory on a Dry Erase Board

Keep a dry-erase board near your freezer. Whenever you add something to the freezer, add it to the board. Erase what you take out. This system helps prevent waste and ensures that you know at a glance what you have stored. No more forgotten, five-year-old packages of hamburger!

By Stephanie from Anchorage, AK

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Reuse Small Button Bags to Sort Jewelry When Traveling

When buying a blouse, you often receive an extra button in a small plastic bag. I save all my buttons in a jar and use the little plastic bags to separate my jewelry when I travel. I put one pair of earrings in one, a chain in another, and pendants in another, etc. Then I place them in a larger plastic bag that I can see through. I find this easy to pick what I need in a glance.

Source: I made this discover myself.

By Karen from Sterling, MA

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Habitat for Humanity Stores

If you are in need of building or home improvement supplies (paint, flooring, tile, etc.) try Habitat for Humanity. They have stores located in all states. The items are donated from builders or reclaimed products and all sales go to building new homes. This is a great way to help others and yourself.

By Marilyn from Lewisburg, TN

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Use Mylar on Your Windows

My kitchen, bathroom and son's room are on the side of the house that get the evening sun. Unfortunately, that means these are the hottest rooms in the house to come home to. I bought 2 simple room darkening shades from a local box store and put them up in the kitchen and bathroom. They work great but my son's room still got overly hot. So much so that he could not enjoy the room.

My mother after returning from her Florida vacation, had brought my son back a "blanket" that was just like the one the astronauts used. It was just a large sheet of mylar. He liked it, but after 4 years, was still in the original package. So, I opened the box and unrolled this sheet of mylar. I cut it to fit his window top and bottom (that way if he wanted to open the window he could) and taped it around all sides with painters tape. It worked so well! I cannot believe the difference in temperature of his room!

Since then I have seen these sheets of mylar in several stores. It would be a great way to save money if you have the same situation or if you have someone who sleeps during the day because of a night job. The room is totally dark and very comfortable. Plus it saves big time on our A/C bill during the summer months. We take it down during the winter months so the sun can heat the room therefore reducing our heating bill.

By Lissco from Salem, VA

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Get Up Early to do College Homework

I started college the same time my youngest entered K-5. I was having trouble juggling my homework with housework and family obligations. I found that if I took care of my family obligations and did not touch my school work until early morning things went smoother.

I started getting up an hour earlier. I found I was able to concentrate and do my homework without distractions (I even got up early on Saturday and Sunday). I also had some sleep and was able to start fresh. I finished my degree program with honors.

By Notwrong

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Dear Webby's Joke of the Day

Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor

New Requests:

Family Reunion Prize Ideas

We will be attending my husband's family reunion this weekend. It is his branch of the family's turn to be in charge and I am to provide the gifts. I want to have some fun with it and have some tasteful gag gifts where each branch of the family receives something.

What categories should I use other than the person who traveled the most miles? Remember: it's this weekend and I don't want to spend a lot of time or money. What fun things have you done on your reunions?

By bmillie from Williamsburg, VA

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Fleas on My Cat and Her Kittens

How do I safely get rid of fleas from a mother cat and her 3 week old kittens? The mama cat is not going to let me bathe her. I tried it before and have the scars to prove it.

By cblack28 from Walton, KY

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Cleaning Grease off a Deep Fryer

How do I clean my fryer? Its caked up with old grease.

By kevinhulin from Wilmington, NC

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Painting Laminate Countertops

I am repainting my laminate countertops. They were painted about 6-7 years ago, now they have a few more dings and scratches. I have sanded and primed with 2 coats of Gripper Grey primer and have applied my 2nd coat of high gloss enamel. It is not blending well, a lot of brush lines are showing through. Any suggestions?

By Daltonsmom from GA

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Cleaning a Moldy Refrigerator

Is it possible to clean a refrigerator that has been sitting with food in it for a year with no electricity and has mold and mildew in it? It has an ice and water dispenser.

By someonewhoneedshelp from PG MD

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Reusable Grocery Bags vs. Trashcan Liners

This is almost like the question, which came first the chicken or the egg, but here it is: Is it kinder/cheaper to our environment to use the reusable grocery bags and use trash can liners? Or is it kinder/cheaper to the environment to use the grocery plastic bag exclusively as trash bags?

By notwrong

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Making "Fresh Brush" Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Can anyone tell me how to make a homemade "Fresh Brush" toilet bowl cleaner? I have been using the $1 ones I have found, but if I can make it myself, that's cheaper for me. Thanks

By jamish

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Looking for DVD: Owen Marshall Counselor at Law

I love the old 70's courtroom shows. Anyone know where I can obtain DVDs of the show "Owen Marshall Counselor at Law" ? I have tried the obvious places: eBay, Amazon, looked up "old tv shows on DVD". But have had no luck. Thank you.

Collinsmom

By collinsmom from NJ

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Repairing a Reading Lamp

I bought an over-the headboard reading lamp a few months back. I love it, but the manufacturing quality is not so good. The inner plastic-type lining is cracked and breaking off, leaving an uneven light flow.

If I break it all out, and try to replace it with something, what can I use? Fabric and glue? The bulb is a CFL. Is fabric safe? Any ideas? Thanks.

Andras

By Andras from San Diego, CA

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Adjusting Timing on Sewing Machine

How do you set the timing on a Brother sewing machine?

By zeke47 from Boise, ID

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Lampe Berger Refills

I want to make a scented liquid to fill a Berger lamp. It burns alcohol and scent, but I don't know the percent of alcohol. Do you have any info?

By lindy-lo from Clearwater, FL

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Waterproof Mascara Recommendations

What brand of mascara would you recommend for short, thin eye lashes? I would prefer one that is waterproof. With so many on the market it is hard to choose which is best.

By Onesummer

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Electric Smoke Detector Won't Stop Beeping

Why does my smoke detector beep after the battery is removed?

By zeesil

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Dying My Hair with Hydrogen Peroxide

When I use Lemon juice to dye my hair, it really works. If I add a bit of hydrogen peroxide to the mix to speed things up, will my hair turn orange?

By Cara from Farefield

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Do Mothballs Work as a Snake Repellent?

Do mothballs keep snakes away?

By ccbran from Sweeny, TX

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Remove Pet Hair From Furniture

How do I get dog hair off furniture?

By jsclgreen from CA

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Getting Rid of Mice

How can I get rid of mice?

By drsphlps from KY

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Mold on Silicone Caulking

I have mold on my silicone around the bath that is driving me mad. What can I use?

By geebird1

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Removing Wall Paper Glue

Does anyone know how to get old wallpaper glue off of walls? Most of it came off with wallpaper stripper, but there are still little bits left here and there.

By Shirlgirl from Phoenix, AZ

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Preventing Navy Blue Pants From Fading

What ca I use to keep the dark blue color in my work pants from fading? I like to have my pants starched at the cleaner's. So is there anything I can do before sending them to the cleaner's that would help them stay dark navy blue longer. Please help.

By cpickleb from Memphis,TN

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Determining a Reasonable Cleaning Rate

I just started my first cleaning job, my initial quote was $10 an hour, because I was told it was only lite cleaning 1-2-3 days a week. When I arrived I realized that I totally undercut myself. The home is is extremely cluttered and on top of that the home owner requested that I do hours worth of gardening and yard work.

They are very nice people, but I don't know what would be a good rate to charge, and if I need to go with a separate rate for the yard work. The home is approximately 2500 sq.feet, if not more and has 4 bedrooms.

By cookehs6 from Jacksonville, FL

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Newspaper Stuck To Wooden Table

How do I remove dried newspaper that is stuck on my dark wood dining table without ruining the finish? Thanks I am desperate.

By Aehtna from Los Angeles, CA

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Removing Brown Sun Spots on Legs

What is the best thing to remove brown spots from my legs caused by the sun?

By tessy3

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Why Do Towels Have Fade Marks?

What makes my some of my towels and washcloths have fade marks on them? I wash them with detergent only, no bleach.

By tessy3 from Houston, TX

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Inexpensive Locations for a Wedding Ceremony

I am getting married on June 12th, 2010. I am looking for a pretty place, but not too expensive, as my fiance and I have to pay for the wedding. My guest list is very small, since I wanted to have just my closest family and friends, there are only 45.

If I could receive any help on locations around Rockville or Germantown, MD in which the locale, chairs, and tables were given with a reasonable price I would really appreciate it. We want to have a buffet, not a caterer. Thank you.

By cubanaza05 from Rockville, MD

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Finding Parts to Repair a Sofa Bed

I need information in order to purchase brackets. They are plastic hinge hardware (2) for Natuzzi sofa bed. I need the pull down support bracket at foot of the bed. They are made of plastic and were broken when one of my children closing the sofa bed, folded it on top of the mattress and not under the mattress as required.

By rocver from New York, NY

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Cleaning Your Dog's Teeth

How can I remove tartar from my dog's teeth? I would like a home remedy.

By jiwinterroth

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Pet Urine Stains on Hardwood Floors

How do I get black urine spots, from my dogs out of my hardwood floor ?

By Betty1234

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Cleaning Grout

Is there any easy way to clean grout? It tool me 2 hours to clean an 8 ft. x 6 ft. section, on my hand and knees with scrub brush and bleach. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

By Buffyno1 from Virginia Beach, VA

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How do I get rid of the fleas?

I am looking for help with fleas on pets. Thank you.

By makm33135 from Tallahassee

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Today's Sponsor:

Crafting for Fun and Money!

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More Reading:

Preventing Fruit Flies

The best way to avoid fruit fly problem is to water wash all produce, especially bananas, as soon as possible. I put the wet produce on a kitchen towel or paper towel, blot it a bit, and let it sit out until its dries thoroughly. If I have a lot of produce, I use a large tray lined with a towel.

Fruit flies lay eggs on produce. The eggs hatch when the fruit and vegetables sits out on the counter. We usually have the problem when I forget to wash any produce or wait a day or two.

Use cider vinegar to trap fruit flies. I put some of the vinegar in a wide shallow bowl with a drop or two of liquid dish detergent for hand washing dishes. I don't cover it. You can smell the vinegar but we put up with it for a few days. At night, I put the bowl near the night light in the kitchen. Usually clears up the problem in a few days. Don't forget to keep any produce out of the kitchen until the problem clears up.

Source: My future son-in-law.

By Mkymlp from NE PA

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