A nasty stain on the carpet recently had us reaching for Molly Dye’s Survival Manual, a treasured book from a practical grandma. Molly Dye was one of Australia’s first female reporters and wrote a household advice column for 30 years. Her tips utilise everyday household ingredients which are eco-friendly and cost effective. Some cleaning & care tips after the jump.
DIY: Household care tips
Melbourne
Molly Dye’s Survival Manual has so much advice in it, it was hard to choose which to share. Hopefully these are helpful to some of you.
1. Bicarbonate Soda: deodorise carpets by sprinkling with bicarbonate soda, leave overnight, and vacuum.
2. Remove carpet stains by sprinkling equal parts cornflour and bicarbonate soda, leave on for an hour, then vacuum off.
3. Unblock a sink or drain: place 1 tablespoon soda and 3 tablespoons of vinegar in sink. Let it fizz, then pour a kettle of boiling water on it to clear the blockage.
4. Bicarbonate soda can be used as a dry shampoo for dogs and cats.
5. Cut flowers: Crush or split the ends of woody or semi woody stems before putting in vase so they can absorb more water.
6. Adding an aspirin to water will prolong the flower’s life.
7. Furniture: Make drawers run smoothly by smoothing runners with fine sandpaper, then rub with dry soap or candle wax.
8. Remove white rings from wet glasses on wooden furniture by mixing equal parts linseed oil and turpentine. Rub on ring marks then apply polish.
9. Remove sticky tape from varnished wood: spray well with window cleaner and leave for a bit. Tape will come off without leaving marks.
10. Brighten dulled leather chairs by rubbing with half a lemon or stale beer then polish with a dry cloth.
11. Picture frames: glue a strip of sandpaper or foam rubber along the lower edge to make it hang straight.
Related Reading
How to: Clean Around the House with Alka-Seltzer
Do It Yourself Cleaning Products
The 12 Best Household Uses for Vodka (Not including Martinis)
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I'm officially a vinegar and baking soda fanatic! I have found so many uses for both and I'm very happy to not be using any more toxic cleaners!
view Monica's profile
Does corn flour = corn starch or corn meal? Or is it something else completely different?
view maidmoron's profile
In Australia corn meal tends to be courser (more like polenta), corn flour is fine and usually white or light yellow, and corn starch is the the starch part of the corn so is basically used as a thickener. You may find the corn flour labeled as corn meal in other parts of the world but basically you are looking for the consistency of normal flour. Hope that helps.
view niahr's profile