Useful Tips

Scientific DD2 approved the chemistry*Nellie*. I think it must be the same process that you get with the bottles of silver dip, but don't know that for sure. I've tried it with a whole display cabinet of elderly silver and plate (mostly plate) - most of it came up brilliantly. Anything that was worn down to base metal only improved where there was some plating left, obviously. It got into corners of things with detailing that you normally would either leave black or fill with dried-on Silvo.

It loses power after you have done a few things, but only takes a few minutes to set up a new lot.

Next plan is to try it with silver jewellery.

Elegran
I was a bit sceptical about that one at first so I looked it up.
For anyone interested enough here is how it supposed to work chemically.

scifun.chem.wisc.edu/homeexpts/tarnish.html

I must try this at home.

Yes, anno it must be baby oil, from freshly squeezed babies.

Does it have to be baby oil? What about cooking oil?

To get sparkling stainless steel, wipe over the surface with a cotton pad or kitchen roll and baby oil (only a small amount) - then wipe dry with a clean piece; works every time and is smear free and a mirror reflection finish.

Vinegar is an excellent weedkiller (kills grass off too) and safer to use if you have pets.

Clean silver without buying proprietory cleaners by putting a piece of aluminium foil into a saucepan or washing up bowl, adding a tablespoon or two of bicarbonate of soda and pouring in boiling or very hot water. Soak silver or EPNS for five minutes or so, rinse and dry. A reaction transfers ions from the foil to the tarnish and converts it back to silver. No scratches, no nasty smell, no surface removed by rubbing.

If the item is too big to submerge, turn it over and repeat.

I do not mind washing floors, cleaning loos, bath etc. Much preferred to ironing which I have not done for many months. I bought a new iron last year and I have never used it.

Nonu Sure is...

I hate it, but wouldn't dream of mocking anyone! We must all have jobs we hate and those we don't mind as much. I like cleaning out my woodburner and polishing its little glass window.

Instead of buying nasty chemical cleaners for woodburner glass, dip a scrumpled piece of wet old newspaper in woodash and rub the dirty pane in circular motions. Repeat and just throw the used paper in the fire.

Like the tip about draping curtains over the bannister. Since I moved to a flat I can't do that but I set the ironing board parallel to my bed and by spreading ironed section over the bed it cuts down on creasing.

Have been hesitating to post my first contribution but this is a lovely thread - how nice to be able to admit to enjoying ironing without being mocked!

I like the curtain ironing tip.

On the old post, someone mentions that some curtains may be too heavy for the washing machine. I have some very heavy wool wide long pale cream curtains - yes, I know, really stupid especially with a woodburner. So I vacuum them, then draw them and use the steamcleaner on them after spraying with a carpet cleaning spray first.

here's a link to one of the previous threads, I know there were others.....

www.gransnet.com/forums/house_and_home/a1196455-Tips-and-Wrinkles

I know I've posted this on the other tips thread, but here goes anyway,

When ironing things like long curtains that seem to re-crease themselves as you go (you know, when they sort of pile up on the other side of the board as you move them to do the next bit) position your ironing board parallel to the bannisters and as you iron each section let them hang over, so that they are falling straight rather than sort of folding themselves on the floor.

(I do hope this makes sense!)

I don't mind mopping floors at all, especially with my steam mop!

Have just put the first coat of Klear on the hall floor, waiting for it to dry before second coat and will then do the same in the kitchen.

SOOP , MICE .
Sometimes , it is the simple things eh!

It also only uses half the amount of paint.

If you are determined to make extra work for yourself, as I appear to be, then do not use a paintbrush to paint garden trellis. Instead, wear a surgical glove, and over that, a fleece glove. Dip your fingers in the paint and rub along the trellis. It halves the time.

I only discovered this on my 12th house and probably 100th piece of trellis.

Yes, I like ironing too. In fact I've just done all of DiL's. It's clean, warm and I can listen to Radio 3.

Now, if only someone would volunteer to mop my floors and clean the bath and sinks....

Ironing ready to do this afternoon, Nonu...I agree that dashing away with the smoothing/soothing iron is therapeutic. I'm easily pleased

I ALSO LIKE ironing Twice , we are in the minority , but who cares , not me . Find it therapeutic .
Whatever floats your boat !!

I,m going to take my life in my hands here and admit I really like ironing. When I,m visiting DD I do hers as well she loves it! My best tip is to rotate things so they all get used equally instead of the first one that comes to hand. For example if dishes are stacked on top of each other in the cupboard take the one from the bottom so you don,t use the last one you put in all the time, towels the same and so on.

I like the colour coded wardrobe much easier to find items I would have thought. I,ll reorganise my self!

I simply retrieve the jumbled tangle from the machine then give each item a good shake before hanging up.
In extremis I just transfer the jumbled tangle to the tumble dryer.

Why would you not fold washing when removing from the washer ? the alternative is a jumbled tangle.