Share tips to make life easier!
Welcome all members. This Group is for UK residents only and not for Businesses.
Open Loop 90
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Another tip from your amazing Moderator (just kidding, lol)
If, like me, you cook a ready bought pie in a silver container on occasions when you're pushed for time! I found an easy way to release the pie from it's dreaded container after it's cooked. Using scissors cut the foil, just one snip from the top of the foil, then using both hands pull apart and hey presto your pie will slide out with ease ready to slice. -
Idea for alternative "green" Christmas wrapping:
1. I use scarves I like from charity shops to wrap presents sometimes - recipient can wear the wrapping if they like it!
2. The India Shop sells recycled newspaper bags with jute handles - different sizes. I have used these and just added a bright ribbon to tie up the top. Buying these supports a street family that makes them. Always a talking point!! -
Why not make your own Snowmen? Very easy. Kids love to help to make these.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntIeZF0ynGE -
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This programme was on Channel 4 about two weeks ago. There doesn't appear to be any following episodes. It was the usual things like buy supermarket own brands, batch cook and make your own cleaners out of white wine vinegar and lemon juice but there was one tip that I had not heard of. Instead of buying expensive products to clean your washing machine just pop in a dish washer tablet and put your washing machine on a long boil wash. I did this and it worked a treat. My washing machine smelt nice and fresh. To clean my dish washer I often put some thin bleach in the bottom and put it on on a 70 degree wash.
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I have been sorting out my many rolls of gift wrapping paper and discovered once neatly rolled up tightly, place a paper clip each end to stop it unrolling again! job done. Especially with Christmas lurking around the corner, lol
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This discussion is now closed.
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Baked beans stuck to bottom of the can?
To prevent this, turn the can upside down and leave to one side for 5 minutes before opening. The stuck beans should come unstuck.
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Is there a way to stop a wool rug from moving about on a carpet? The corners / strips advertised work on wood floors but don't appear to work on carpet on carpet.
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Re-purposing plastic containers
I am not sure whether this idea is any use to others ...I buy various cleaning liquids in bulk (washing up, washing, toilet cleaner, etc), and used to recycle the large plastic containers. However, I find them very useful for storgae of opened or small food packets which otherwise get jumbled up on a shelf. I cut off the top with the handle, and use it like that - or cut a handhold space in the side, so I can hitch it down from a high shelf. I use one, for example, for pkts of nuts and seeds, another for pastas, etc. I am now much tidier .. and spillages are contained.
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A little tip if you are using one of these now that Summer has arrived. They have a sell by date on them! We had stored ours away in the Garage and had forgotten about it until last week-end and when it refused to light we realized the sell by date was 3 years ago!! My hubby was not amused, lol
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I get rust spots on some of my cutlery after they have been in the dishwasher. Is there a reason for this and does anyone know how to stop it?
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A little tip I have discovered! When I buy mince for Shepherd's pie or Cottage pie I don't like the way the mince is 'worm like', Using disposable rubber gloves I give the mince a good squeezing to smooth the mince making a nicer texture. Very therapeutic too, lol and it makes makes a much nicer pie to eat.
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Wondering what that old book is worth? (Edited)
Look up "Bookfinder" on the net.
It's free and easy to use and let's you see what that item is selling for on Amazon, eBay, and bookshops all over the place.
A Giles Annual #2 is in good nick, and worth well over £100.
An older "Strube" annual is valued at over £60.
My beloved "Second Century of Detective Stories" and Eagle Annual #1 held pleasant surprises too. -
I have, for some years, put bits of ginger and tumeric root in the freezer - they are so much easier to grate. But I recently thought I would try freezing squeezed lemon skins, as sometimes the lemons are too flexible for zesting successfully. It works a treat - lots of easily grated lemon zest!
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Not sure if this is the right place for this:
check the expiry date on your driving licence. We did, and panicked, as both of ours had expired. We had had no reminder from the DVLA. Then, on the DVLA site, it said licences had been extended for 11 months from the date of expiry. So that's a relief, as we largely shielding and I don't fancy one of those photo booths at the moment. -
Does anyone have any suggestions please how to open difficult food jar lids? Alas the two men in my household is unable to open the jars. I've tried my way to open jars by placing the jar upside down in a bowl of hot water, usually that works. My way hasn't worked this time. :0(
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Removing names and addresses from post/delivery boxes/packets
Instead of spending time removing address labels before disposing of packing, just put them under running water and scrub with a nail brush; they disappear in no time.
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Water butts in the gardens can be invaluable but in the summer months they can attract mosquitos, Daddy Long legs, gnats or midges. Spray the lid with undiluted vinegar to reduce their numbers.
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Does anyone have any suggestions please how to get white socks looking white again? My son goes running, wears white towelling sports socks and comes back very muddy. His socks is the worse, caked in mud. I've put his socks through the washing machine three times, covered in stain remover. Alas his socks still comes out looking brown than white. Be nice to have white socks again! Ho hum.
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Happy Pancake day to all my lovely members!
How will you serve yours? I just love sugar and lemon but maybe you all have other ideas? love to hear them.
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Just received the AA renewal notice which increased the annual cost by 27%!
Rang them, and was referred to Renewals Dept, where the first haggle got the cost down to below last year's...
So pushed on mentioning that the RAC was still a better buy, and I'd been a regular member for yonks.
So the next offer SAVES over 25% on last year.This discussion is now closed.
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Did you know snow is an excellent cleaner.
I have an old white plastic table outside and when covered in snow get a brush and scrub. All the green stuff will disappear.
You also could take your rugs/carbets out and clean with snow. Colours are highlighted. -
Are your nails dry and brittle from all the hand washing we are doing? Mine are and my Granddaughter bought me a tube of NUNALE, a cream to rub into the nails (not a hand cream). I have been astounded at the difference it has made in using it for just 1 day!
Do try if your nails are in need of a bit of 'tender loving care' (£3.00)
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Love them warmed up with butter dripping from it.
However when put in oven they sometimes too hard to enjoy properly. Sprinkle with water and they come out much softer. -
Watch out, there's a telephone engineer about!
Keep an eye on your phone/Internet connection when you see an engineer up a pole, or at a manhole. Recently there have been a few such visits to our road, so yesterday, when our Internet and phone connection disappeared, I looked out the window to see one engineer up the pole, and one at a manhole box. I kept an eye on him, and it was a good job I did, because he came down and started to pack up, and the other engineer finished at the manhole, while I was still disconnected. I told him the situation, and he said that my phone was not on his list for work in the road! He reluctantly started work again, and rectified the fault.
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An easier way to create a rainbow cake without using liquid food colouring............
pick up a tub of multi-coloured hundreds and thousands when you are next in your supermarket. Mix a few through your sponge batter and when you cut a slice of your cake you'll have beautiful polka dots of colour! -
Another silly tip.
I ordered some vinyl samples which came about 6" square and have been using since as little mug mats. Ages ago had some delivered with a bit left over and was fed up with moving the roll so today I had a bright idea and covered the metal shelves of a baker's rack with it (in the porch with plants on) and I'm delighted. Intend doing other shelving tomorrow - and all I needed was a pair of scissors (no men needed). Every thing now just needs a wipe over with a damp cloth. Would even work as place mats on the table. I'm smitten. -
If you have dark or red hair after washing it rinse with cool black coffee and then rinse with cold water for extra shine 👧🏻
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I hesitate to put this as I'm a definite non-cook (incapable) but tonight - to use stuff up from the fridge - I'm having a large naan bread spread with tomato puree, with sliced courgette, mushrooms, onion and tomatoes on top, bit of olive oil and then grated cheese. Could have added cooked chicken but I let the dog have that. I tend to put in a dish of tinfoil as it can melt down the sides. Pudding will probably be a glass of Baileys. Don't all rush.
