ARCHIVE

  • Last modified 5188 days ago (Jan. 14, 2010)

MORE

COLUMNS:   Another Day in the Country

Contributing writer

Don’t you just love it when someone gives you a hot tip? Like for instance, spray lipstick stains with WD-40 before you launder the item? Or squeeze a little lime juice in your drinking water to improve your health? Some things work, some don’t and I’m always curious as to which is which!

For Christmas, I got an email filled with those kinds of suggestions from a cousin of mine. I’ve been systematically going through the list to see if they work. I’m like the product tester on Channel 12, seeking truth for the multitudes.

Most of us have known about WD-40 and it’s lubricating ability for a long time, and even how it removes traces of duct tape and protects your tools. But did you know that people supposedly spray that stuff on their joints to relieve arthritis pain? Me neither.

My little list of wonderful things WD-40 does with ease include things like “Keeps pigeons off your balcony — they don’t like the smell.” Well, neither do I. But, heck, if you have a serious pigeon problem and a balcony—give it a whirl.

Supposedly you can spray WD-40 on a burn and it will take away the pain and help it heal. I’ve heard the same claim for ice cubes. Now you have a choice of two cures as you dance around the kitchen with your finger in your mouth.

My list says that magic formula also keeps your glass shower door free of spots and your mirror from fogging up. OK, I tried it. While you are waiting for something steamy to happen in the bathroom, you have this greasy film all over your mirror that makes things look a little murky and you’ll eventually want to clan it off — like NOW!

Do people usually try out these tips they send around or do they just read them and smile? Knowingly! I try things out. I’m the one who was told at a health seminar about the good properties of cayenne pepper (which I actually believe) and which included the suggestion of putting a dab in your eye to improve circulation, clean up any lingering germs, etc. OK, I tried that too, not that I thought I had a problem in the first place. If you did have an eye infection, that cayenne cure guarantees to make it fade into insignificance immediately!

Here’s a tip about that fine (black) hardware cloth that you use for finish sandpaper or on your dry wall job — take a little strip and clean your kitchen sink with it — no cleanser, just that — or clean the water ring around your toilet bowl. Works like a charm.

My tipster sheet included a recycling tip—use old newspapers to cover the ground under your mulch and you can forget about weeds. I’ve been using The Marion County Record for this very purpose for years — it works.

To get something out of a heat register or from under the fridge, add an empty paper towel roll to the end of your vacuum hose — great idea, because it can be bent or flattened to get through narrow openings; but who has a vacuum with a hose? Not me.

Use hair conditioner to shave your legs. It’s cheap and leaves your legs really smooth. It’s also handy, right there in the shower. I tried it and it works pretty slick.

There was a fruit fly suggestion on my list. Put a half inch of apple cider vinegar and two drops of dish detergent in a glass on your counter — it draws the flies to the cup and they are gone forever — or so it claims. I’m longing for summer, and another day in the country, just to see if that works.

Last modified Jan. 14, 2010

 

X

BACK TO TOP