Projects and Money-Saving Tips September 24, 2008
Posted by Diane Bird in : All Posts , trackbackMy project of the year was to paint our kitchen. I knew I needed to wash down the walls first, but wasn’t sure what to use. Mother used ammonia and water, and being the dedicated housekeeper she was, she “did” the walls every year. One of the reasons she used ammonia was probably because of the residue from cigarette smoke, and she needed to cut through the accumulated brown ick. I use ammonia for some of my routine cleaning around the house, like the oven and the grill racks, but it’s very hard on my hands and I never got the knack of wearing rubber gloves. So, utilizing the great resources on the internet, I found the following tips, and I can attest to the fact that they work wonderfully. For the kitchen walls, I used the GENERAL CLEANING “recipe”:
1 gallon water
One-half of 1/3 cup borax
One teaspoon liquid dish soap
1-1/2 teaspoon ammonia
My delight had no bounds, though, when I tried the WINDOW WASHING SOLUTION. After years of trying ammonia mixtures, vinegar mixtures, Windex and other store bought wonders (all supposedly “streak-free”) I will now use nothing except the following recipe:
One quarter cup corn starch dissolved in two quarts warm water
Now, I know it’s hard to believe, but it works equally well inside and out, leaving no streaks and no residue on the windows. It easily removes dirt, grease, bug juice, even bird-do. Fast, efficient, and cheap! That’s another great side benefit of these tips, that they will save money and we all surely need that with the economy continuing on its slide down the slippery slope. Large boxes of both soda and borax are available in your local supermarket (or WalMart, if you want to spend the money on gas to get there).
SINK CLEANER (replaces Comet, etc.): Mix one-half cup borax and one cup baking soda.
TOILET STAIN CLEANER: Drain the bowl to the lowest level; make a paste of vinegar and borax; apply to stains and scrub with very light sandpaper.
VERY GREASY POTS & PANS: Add two tablespoons vinegar to soapy wash water.
Try this FACIAL, and wonder why you spent $16 on your last jar of “stuff”! Mix 1 part olive oil with 3 parts baking soda. … or this simple, easy MAKEUP REMOVER: Baby oil!
And the kitchen got painted semi-gloss “Country White” and looks great, if I do say so myself.
Comments»
I like all those household tips. I can only imagine the work involved in washing the walls before painting. Even the easiest methods aren’t that easy!
I’m sorry I didn’t check the blog earlier because you posted this in September! I used to have a notice turn up if the blog was activated, but somehow it isn’t now. Oh well….
It is a good idea to post the letters on the blog I think. I’m not sure when I’m supposed to write, but I think when my name turns up on the list. So much has happened in the world since I was last in touch with extended family. I think everyone is hopeful the new administration will move forward with some solutions for all the ills of the world whatever your political leanings are. The job losses are terrible. The latest “forward” I got on the internet indicated so many more stores will be closing. I think we need to hang tight and things will get better.
Today I am decorating for Christmas and for all you who say “whoa, way too early” – the reason is that I’m entertaining with a luncheon the Monday after Thanksgiving and I am one who has to plan ahead. We will be spending Thanksgiving with friends in Lincoln so we are looking forward to that.
I’ll write more when my RR turn comes…