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Your household tips read out on radio

(94 Posts)
LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Fri 31-Jan-14 14:55:56

Gransnet has teamed up with Age UK's radio station The Wireless to share gransnetters pearls of wisdom when it comes to thorny household issues - like cleaning a whiffy washing machine drum perhaps?

We're asking gransnetters for your top household tips to be read out on air. You have until 12 Feb to contribute on this thread (we won't take the tips from anywhere else just in case you don't want them broadcast).

The top tips (as selected by Age UK) and your Gransnet username will be read on The Wireless in the following fortnight's shows. Vinegar/Mr Sheen/microfibre cloths at the ready...

Anne58 Fri 31-Jan-14 15:36:25

When ironing curtains, to avoid them re-creasing as you go, put your ironing board parallel to the bannisters and feed the ironed section over them. (I do hope that makes sense?)

When freezing stews, soups casseroles etc use a freezer bag inside the dish or pan that you will be heating them in, freeze the whole lot and remove fro pan or dish once frozen. That way you can be sure that they will fit and you won't have Philpotts Syndrome.

jinglbellsfrocks Fri 31-Jan-14 15:42:23

OMG!!! Do they pipe that radio station into old people's homes in the hope of freeing up a few beds?!!!

TriciaF Fri 31-Jan-14 15:49:28

How to remove the smell if you spill kipper juice (from boil in the bag) onto clothing.
Soak the clothing in very diluted peroxide, or less diluted vinegar.
I actually had this one on local radio years ago.

Ana Fri 31-Jan-14 15:50:58

Goodness! I hadn't realised David Hamilton was so old...hmm (75)

jinglbellsfrocks Fri 31-Jan-14 16:07:12

So that's where old Radio 1 dj's go to....... Oh never mind! shock

KatyK Fri 31-Jan-14 17:25:58

This is bizarre but really works. To make chrome items (taps etc) shine, coat them in toothpaste, leave for about 10 minutes then rinse off. Your taps will sparkle.

Anne58 Fri 31-Jan-14 21:15:03

I hope you mean cheap toothpaste, like wot Lidls sells!

KatyK Fri 31-Jan-14 22:37:49

Phoenix - yes that will do perfectly well! And you don't need much. I am extremely frugal in all things but I do like shiny taps grin

Ana Fri 31-Jan-14 22:43:27

And teeth! grin

Icyalittle Fri 31-Jan-14 22:54:42

How about the power of sunlight to get rid of newborn bright yellow poo stains? Neither my DD nor any of her friends had ever heard of that one, and even threw away baby gros because nothing else works.

Icyalittle Fri 31-Jan-14 22:57:40

And the smelly washing machine one does work: non-bio liquid and cool wash seem to be a problem combination. Do a hottest wash with fierce biological washing powder every now and then to kill the bacteria and it is fine. (Throw in all the tea towels, dishcloths /floor cloths etc for good measure).

Icyalittle Fri 31-Jan-14 23:00:28

Phoenix, you've posted so many brilliant ones in the past. Can you do a trawl back and paste them in here?

Anne58 Sat 01-Feb-14 00:33:14

Oh heavens Icy a quick blush for your kind comment!

I'm sure you're thinking of a thread were loads of other clever G'ners posted some very good hints and tips, but I wouldn't have a clue where to find them!

PS I'm more usually known for daft poems and other such fripperies!

kittylester Sat 01-Feb-14 09:17:20

I have posted before that I get irritated when I read tips, in magazines etc, for which someone has been paid money, that I have been doing for years and thought the rest of the world did anyway! confused

Nelliemoser Sat 01-Feb-14 09:48:47

I have been tempted to think up some less than sensible ideas that they might not want to hear.

Given the "sluts corner" attitudes of many in recent posts. Household hints are not quite what GNers usually take very seriously.

Its a challenge. Oh! go on, go on!

I am not being subversive! Honest! wink

MiceElf Sat 01-Feb-14 10:20:27

Of you have a long haired cat carefully save her fur from the cat comb and when you have enough, spin it and knit it into a lovely soft jumper.

LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Sat 01-Feb-14 10:22:40

We're not averse to a few silly ones either Nelliemoser. A good mix of helpful and hilarious pretty much sums Gransnet up. If there's a story behind them so much the better wink.

rosesarered Sat 01-Feb-14 10:58:18

I have noticed that pouring left over coke/pepsi from tins and bottles down the sink leaves it sparkling clean, so wondered if this worked for down the loo, and it does!Seems to be better than bleach, so now I am worried about drinking the stuff! Well, at least I will have clean shiny insides I suppose.

Anne58 Sat 01-Feb-14 11:02:34

Well Lara if that's the case, I may as well c & p my "Sluts Charter" and "How to make it look as if you are cleaning" from the other thread!

LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Sat 01-Feb-14 12:33:46

I must have missed this sluts' charter. Intrigued, will have to go search it out now... Though tbh I think I'm quite well-versed in 'pretend cleaning'. blush

Galen Sat 01-Feb-14 13:23:50

Sunlight also works on curry stains. That's if we ever get any sunshine that is , not curry stains.
Do you think GNHQ should substitute a rain emoticon for the sunshine one!?
Steers dent or similar removes tannin stains from mugs, teapots etc.

Galen Sat 01-Feb-14 13:25:18

Where on my wireless do I find this wonderful programme? Is it before or after the light programme?

Icyalittle Sat 01-Feb-14 13:37:56

Galen grin

Nelliemoser Sat 01-Feb-14 14:35:05

Galen
It's on just after Dick Barton!

Does anyone know how best to clean the rubber rollers on your mangle?

If you want to stop the toilet in your outside loo from freezing hang a little paraffin lamp under the valve on the overhead cistern.

To save money on toilet paper have torn up squares of newspaper on a nail inside the toilet door.

Cover your stone hot water bottles in a knitted cover so you don't bang your ankle on them in bed.

To grow good roses in your allotment, when the milkman and coalman come around follow them with your shovel and bucket to collect any of their horses droppings.
How wise we all are.