Household tips and tricks! - Are you having trouble getting the wine stains out of your carpet? Do you clean your cookware with something extraordinary? Come share!

[Aunt Carol]

either a really old reliable one, or one that was made 2015-2020.

I can't give brand recommendations but this is my advice too: you want a dryer that you could theoretically fix yourself. So much more stuff to break on a washer or dryer that texts you when the laundry's done, and the target audience is people who just throw things away and buy new.

Maybe look through the dryers' PDF manuals online first, to see how much they expect it to be a black box.

 

[long waters]

I can't give brand recommendations but this is my advice too: you want a dryer that you could theoretically fix yourself. So much more stuff to break on a washer or dryer that texts you when the laundry's done, and the target audience is people who just throw things away and buy new.

Maybe look through the dryers' PDF manuals online first, to see how much they expect it to be a black box.

Oh, I am definitely avoiding any "smart" features. Being a software developer myself, I absolutely loathe the stuff and would not trust it one bit. Especially with all the outsourcing and whatnot being done nowadays. Last thing I'd want is some internet connected appliance that gets a firmware update and bricks itself (thank you saars).

My previous dryer was a budget model that somehow lasted me close to a decade. I did replace some gaskets on it myself previously. Unfortunately this time the compressor died out and it's not worth repairing at this point.

I doubt manuals would offer that much information, but that does give me an idea. I could look up repair info for the models I would be interested in. That way I could see how annoying they would be to disassemble and replace parts on, if need be. That being said, I would hope that buying a new device gives me at least 5 years without worrying about such bs.

 

[UselessRubberKeyboard]

Oh, I am definitely avoiding any "smart" features. Being a software developer myself, I absolutely loathe the stuff and would not trust it one bit. Especially with all the outsourcing and whatnot being done nowadays. Last thing I'd want is some internet connected appliance that gets a firmware update and bricks itself (thank you saars).

My previous dryer was a budget model that somehow lasted me close to a decade. I did replace some gaskets on it myself previously. Unfortunately this time the compressor died out and it's not worth repairing at this point.

I doubt manuals would offer that much information, but that does give me an idea. I could look up repair info for the models I would be interested in. That way I could see how annoying they would be to disassemble and replace parts on, if need be. That being said, I would hope that buying a new device gives me at least 5 years without worrying about such bs.

Beko seem to be a pretty decent budget brand, but most white goods are five years and then you start feeling lucky when then still work, at this point. I used to always, always buy Hotpoint because they were so reliable in every electric device of theirs I’ve ever gotten. Sadly, they are nowhere near as good now.

Although, I recently bought a bottom of the range Hotpoint washer dryer, and while it’s only 6 months old so no clue about longevity, the cycles on it are better than my last Hotpoint dedicated washer (almost top of the range at the time) was, so there’s that. I find Hotpoint’s fiddle bits (like filter access hatches, drain hose placings etc) are better designed for ease of access than many other brands.

YouTube is a goldmine for how-to videos on various white goods repairs too. This guy is fantastic, and gives step by steps on many simple repairs you can do at home: https://youtube.com/@repairandsquare Maybe searching up any of your potential purchases on there for repair videos might give you an idea of whether it’s the right machine for you?

 

[Bees]

OK, I'm intrigued! What was the frequency of the foot zincing? Just once, or something like every night for a week? Is there a psalm I need to recite while doing it?

one night only it's wild.

GM M'am's of KF. I am a moid in search of enlightenment. What are your thoughts on tumble dryer brands?

I must do the needful and acquire a new one, but I am still pondering what to get. I have lurked mumsnet to acquire knowledge, and I am leaning towards either a fancy Bosch Series 6 model or some budget one from Beko or something.

I thought I might as well ask here too?

For real check out fb marketplace or CL, rich bitches buy fancy washer/dryer sets and the washer always breaks and they give away the dryer because it doesn't match the new stuff. Free dryer best dryer.

 

[𝕺𝖑' 𝕯𝖎𝖗𝖙𝖞 𝕱𝖆𝖙𝖘𝖔]

I have one stinky shoes tip too: prevent this by spreading a thick layer of baby diaper rash cream on your feet overnight. The Desitin or Beaudroux Butt Cream or walmar generic variant. The thick white stuff. I got this tip off Reddit 15 years ago by some Russian poster and never saw it posted ever again. My feet didn't stink again for a couple years and I reapeated the treatment and now they are still cured. No Sox Cru represent.

Benzoyl peroxide acne cream will kill foot odor, you only need a little bit. It treats acne by killing acne bacteria but also works on the ones that cause BO. It bleaches fabrics though so don't wear it to bed. Also wool is the best sock material and will help keep ur feet from smelling in the first place

 

[Aunt Carol]

Benzoyl peroxide acne cream will kill foot odor, you only need a little bit. It treats acne by killing acne bacteria but also works on the ones that cause BO. It bleaches fabrics though so don't wear it to bed.

This is an intriguing idea! I'm trying it (first, because I don't have any high % zinc right now).

How long would you recommend for a course of treatment? Just keep zit creaming until it's effective?



I'd like to state for the record that my feet aren't unusually stinky for someone who has a walkin' job; foot odor is just a human limitation I chafe at more than others. I'm so ready to One Weird Trick this.

 

[Diet Coke 4 Life]

Weird one, mostly for those who live in the south where palmetto bugs exist and will enter even the cleanest of abodes.

Raid is for pussies and doesn't work worth shit. Use the full-ammonia, dries-without-streaking Windex. Five sprays, and the flying devils will stop their scurrying and just curl their legs up in death. (Seriously, grabbed Windex entirely accidentally an was shocked how it works better than bug killer on these wretched pests. I get one coming into the house twice a year - coincides with when the yard gets treated.)

 

[Drive-by Farts]

I saw some article that people who keep really clean houses have significantly worse lungs because of the harsh cleaning chemicals they use, so I am just dropping in to say, baking soda and vinegar reactions do a great job of cleaning, as does simple soapy water. Please stop accidentally making mustard gas ladies.

 

[Bees]

I saw some article that people who keep really clean houses have significantly worse lungs because of the harsh cleaning chemicals they use, so I am just dropping in to say, baking soda and vinegar reactions do a great job of cleaning, as does simple soapy water. Please stop accidentally making mustard gas ladies.

That’s because water is the universal solvent. Baking soda and vinegar makes water, it’s like those tif & tim tranny relationships, expense and effort for no real purpose.

 

[Imp]

Weird one, mostly for those who live in the south where palmetto bugs exist and will enter even the cleanest of abodes.

Raid is for pussies and doesn't work worth shit. Use the full-ammonia, dries-without-streaking Windex. Five sprays, and the flying devils will stop their scurrying and just curl their legs up in death. (Seriously, grabbed Windex entirely accidentally an was shocked how it works better than bug killer on these wretched pests. I get one coming into the house twice a year - coincides with when the yard gets treated.)

We use diatomaceous earth sprinkled over the thresholds and around any likely windows at the first sighting of one of those nasty things. It's safe around people and pets and is extremely effective. I bought a too big bag of food grade DE and it'll last several lifetimes.

 

[Bees]

Here's a household tip: Women belong in the kitchen, or the bedroom.

Those are two of my fav rooms. I also love the bathroom (for big shits)

Cooking tips: You can put whole hands of unpeeled ginger in your freezer and grate off bits whenever you need it. It also slices very nicely from frozen.

For a fast meal, rinse a can of beans and heat them up with a good drench of nice olive oil and a lot of sliced garlic, sprinkle on any kind of dried herb you like. Nice with buttered toast.

 

[Imp]

Some laundry questions today.

What do you use to keep white towels and washcloths white and why? I have used bleach, bluing and powdered oxy bleach and I do not know which does the better job. I like the bleached clean smell I guess too. I washed a load today and used bleach and bluing.

How to get hardened towels to be soft and fluffy again? My water is very hard and there is virtually no chance of my getting a water softener. I don't think any add to the wash elements soften? Like borax? I've heard of using very hot water plus vinegar in the washer once then after that a very hot water load plus baking soda. My washer is fairly new and I've heard that vinegar is bad for the seals on a front loader which makes me hesitate to use it so I haven't tried this trick.

 

[ChompChomp]

I bought one of these wands from the Dollar store, filled it with dish soap and keep it in my shower. Every time I shower I do a quick scrub of the walls, tub and corners etc. and its made a huge difference with keeping mildew and stains away.

View attachment 7878629

Dish soap (particularly: Dawn) is better than bathroom cleaners for regular cleaning, so you're ahead of the game!

Thread tax -

Toilet tip:

For tough toilet stains, use cleanser (eg - Soft Scrub, Comet) instead of your regular toilet bowl cleaner.

Shower tip:

I use homemade after shower spray that is easy to make and works pretty well.

In a 36oz spray bottle, mix:

• 1/2 cup (4 fl oz) - hydrogen peroxide
• 1/2 cup (4 fl oz) - isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
• 1 tbsp (0.5 fl oz) - dishwasher rinse aid
• 1 tsp (0.167 fl oz) - liquid dish soap
• 3 cups (24 fl oz) - water (tap, flat, bubbly, filtered, uncensored, whatever you want)

Note: Using a dark bottle may help longevity (in terms of hydrogen peroxide degredatïon).

To use: Spray liberally in your shower when you're done showering.

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@JanuaryViolet is right about hiring movers

Damn, i wish I got to this moving thread a couple months ago. I've moved across multiple states within the last few years.

1. I hired movers once. Never again. After spending a week packing, it felt like they were moving extra slow just to ride the clock. I did give them a small tip, but they didn't seem to be in too much of a rush. (This was basically a move across a couple of towns, so maybe it's different for cross country).

2. Get a hand truck. I got this Milwaukee one at the start of the pandemic and it's fucking awesome. I haven't even had to fill the tires up yet.

3. Get plastic storage containers. Along with being sturdier than boxes, they stack up easier and you'll find other uses for them even if you never move again.

4. If you do gowwith boxes, don't go cheap on tape. There's nothing more frustrating than having tape that keeps tearing and is impossible to get started again because...it keeps easily tearing.

5. Get a coupleoof rolls of masking / painter's tape. It still seals well, but tears off easier so you won't leave tape residue on shit.

6. Permanent markers and labels. If you get the masking tape, you can just use that, but label every container with what's in it on the top and at least two of four sides.

7. Ratchet straps. From folding a mattress for easier transport to keeping shit from falling over, these are a cheap lifesaver.

I have a ton more, but I'm not trying to bog down the thread here.

Thanks for reading!

 

[long waters]

How to get hardened towels to be soft and fluffy again? My water is very hard and there is virtually no chance of my getting a water softener. I don't think any add to the wash elements soften?

This is where having a tumble dryer really comes in handy. Towels (or rather everything) come out all soft and fluffy and it's great. There are downsides, as they can wear out faster too. I had the same problem while my dryer was dead past couple of weeks. I would rack dry my towels and they'd come out incredibly stiff.
PS: I never used any fabric softener in my life so I don't know about that...

 

[Imp]

This is where having a tumble dryer really comes in handy. Towels (or rather everything) come out all soft and fluffy and it's great. There are downsides, as they can wear out faster too. I had the same problem while my dryer was dead past couple of weeks. I would rack dry my towels and they'd come out incredibly stiff.
PS: I never used any fabric softener in my life so I don't know about that...

I used to use an outdoor clothesline for drying everything (you can see the sun damage on my hands and arms). After a summer of drying towels outside they always developed a stink that a hot wash and tumble dry solved. These days it's only tumble dry but I guess the minerals from the water contribute to the towels' stiffness. I also no longer use any fabric softener like Downey. I have heard of adding borax to laundry to soften the water but I've never tried it.

It disgusts me that my new, fluffy towels' fibers clump together and feel rough within only two washes.

 

[Aunt Carol]

It disgusts me that my new, fluffy towels' fibers clump together and feel rough within only two washes.

I understand the desire for fluffy towels, but it's funny to me because there are vocal elements in my family who like "strong, crispy towels," the kind you get from line drying.


For people who aren't in their forever home but who want to seriously upgrade their clothesline, my favorite umbrella-style clothesline has an in-ground stabilizer that doesn't need concrete (in most soil). Just a little digging.



It's expensive but worth it. They sell every single replacement part; this is a buy-it-for-life tool.

 

[long waters]

These days it's only tumble dry but I guess the minerals from the water contribute to the towels' stiffness.

I did not imagine that the water could be so hard it leads to towels stiffening up even in a dryer. Does your washing machine not have issues from that too?

 

[Imp]

I did not imagine that the water could be so hard it leads to towels stiffening up even in a dryer. Does your washing machine not have issues from that too?

My last washer died from its electronics going out. Apparently it wasn’t worth fixing at 8 years old. We have terrible soap scum in the showers that I constantly fight. The water dispenser in the fridge door has white deposits. I had to start using distilled water in my iron and so on and so on.

 

[ChompChomp]

there are vocal elements in my family who like "strong, crispy towels," the kind you get from line drying.

We've secretly replaced the family's normal load of towels with rich, mountain grown Folgers™ Signature© RoHS 3 compliant 600 grit 100% silicon carbide sandpaper.

Can they tell the difference?

My last washer died from its electronics going out. Apparently it wasn’t worth fixing at 8 years old. We have terrible soap scum in the showers that I constantly fight. The water dispenser in the fridge door has white deposits. I had to start using distilled water in my iron and so on and so on.

I've never felt less clean and like i wanted to rip my skin off than when trying to shower using mildly hard water. That would be enough for me to put the house back on the market.

You have my condolences.

I've heard adding some rubbing alcohol works, but I'm no chemist. Ymmv.

 

[Zeftax]

The moment you see a fly, kill that fucker right away. Up until now I had the approach to just let the spiders take care of them. Last week I heard an annoying buzzing in my window blinds, ramping up over the week. Today it was completely unbearable, almost nonstop loud buzzing. I already killed over 20 of those fuckers today and a new one still pops up occasionally.