Sharing entry #3: DIY / home&car maintenance

[yvi]

Third verse, same as the first two:

Over the next few days, I will be trying to post one entry per day where people can share general tips and tricks they think could be valuable to others. No matter how basic they are or how few people you think would profit from them. Just think about how you do things and share this with others.



This entry is all about Do-it-yourself, home and car maintenance

Comments

[ninetydegrees]

Walnut stain is good for scratches on dark furniture, kitchen counters and wood floors but simple walnuts can do the trick very nicely for a while too. Coffee grounds work too, I think.

Screwdrivers, pliers, hammers, power drills and scissors which can cut all kinds of materials (they look a bit like garden clippers) are your friends. Put them where you can easily access them and learn how to use them if you don't.

If you're like me and can't remember how to start/stop stopcocks or valves (is it clockwise or counterclockwise?), make a drawing or write instructions on a piece of paper and stick it on your fridge.

[cledon]

To remember which direction to turn things, I use the phrase, "Lefty loosy, righty tighty" (left to loosen, right to tighten). The nonsense children's rhyme quality makes it easy for me to remember.

[ninetydegrees]

I'm sure that's very useful for people who can tell their left from their right. I generally can't. :)

[cledon]

Yeah, I can see how that would render my mnemonic useless. *g* Graphics are clearly the way to go then.

[cledon]

Apparently my brain was churning away at this. How about this one? If clockwise and anti-clockwise work as directions for you then:

"Clockwise closes, anti- opens."

[ninetydegrees]

I'm afraid I won't remember that. My brain's not wired that way. Plus English isn't my native language. I'm doing fine with my little drawings really.

[cledon]

I know and I don't mean to be pushy. You have a method that works for you. The rhyme just popped into my head and I thought it was funny. Sometimes I overshare. Ignore me. :-)

[cledon]

How do you use just the walnut? Rub the outer shell on the scratch or do you need to do something more?

[ninetydegrees]

Exactly like you said. Just make sure the oil goes into the scratch or it'll wash away too soon if it's something you wet regularly.