Well, the day is almost over and I haven’t frozen yet. Taking a shower wasn’t too bad. Sitting on the toilet . . not so good! That rascal is freezing! Accuweather tells me it will be 26 tonight and feel like 13. I’m hoping they mean it will feel like 13 outside and not inside my bathroom. This is the only time I wish I had carpet instead of tile in my bathroom. I can feel the cold floors even with slippers and socks on my feet.
Here are some things I think worthy of sharing with you all.
1. For Thanksgiving, I made this Cranberry Gelatin Salad. It was so good! I had mom and Vince taste it on Wednesday night and we knew it was going to be a hit. I bought the stuff to make it again this week. The Watergate Salad has been my favorite for years and years but I think this Cranberry Salad may be my new favorite.
2. My bathroom drain has been slow for months. I know why . . I trim my hair and it goes down the drain sometimes. I used Draino and everything else I could find and it helped a little. Dad asked if I knew my drain was slow and I told him I’d tried everything. Vince had said he’d pull it apart soon and clean it out. Dad told me to put a couple of Alka-Seltzers down the drain, then pour Coca-Cola down the drain and that might help. Did it last night and sure enough . . it’s draining just fine.
3. I was reading something recently that if you have hard water stains or rings on appliances/fixtures, you can put plain white vinegar on them and it will remove it. Down in the bottom of my toilet was some sediment that was hard and wouldn’t budge when I clean the toilet. I poured a couple of cups of vinegar in there, let it sit overnight and then scrubbed and . . all the hard stuff is gone. Toilet is perfectly clean.
I’m probably the last one to know these tips but just in case someone else didn’t know . . hope it helps.
Peggy Welchert says
Judy I really feel for you not having heat upstairs. I know these things always happen when the weather is turning colder, weekend, holiday etc. I had never heard of your father’s method of clearing drains. With the combination you gave I am surprised I didn’t hear an explosion here in western KY. I use white vinegar for most of my cleaning. I was in a rest area in IL recently when they were cleaning and that was what they were using also. I think it does a great job of cleaning the air also.
Wrap up in many quilts tonight.
Sue H says
Mmmmmmmm, that cranberry salad sounds yummy. I have a favorite one with whole cranberries, halved grapes and raspberry Jell-O, but I think I will have to give this one a try. Try to stay warm! I’ve been chilly all day. Maybe it’s out of sympathy?
Becky in GA says
Judy, my plumber told me to put a bout 4 cups of bleach down the drain and let it sit for 15 minutes followed by warm water to rinse the drain clean at least once a month. I’ll try the alka seltzer and coke next time my drain clogs. THANKS Please keep warm, well, as best you can.
Amy says
Thanks for the drain and hard water tips. I’ll definitely have to try them out.
Brenda says
No, you were not the only one who didn’t know those ‘tricks’ and I am glad you shared them!!
Lynne in Hawaii says
Nope, you are not the last to know these things…I’m after you! Thanks for the great tips.
Julie says
I use vinegar all the time for hard water stains. Every once in awhile when my glasses, crystal, and vases look cloudy, I fill a large bowl with vinegar and let things soak. It also works great in a spray bottle for hard water stains in the shower. The bonus is no harsh chemicals and it’s relatively inexpensive.
A chef friend of mine also uses bleach for cleaning commercial restaurant drains but be sure that no other chemical is in the drain.
Gwen says
A cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar then let sit for an hour. Follow with hot water. Heliose reccomends this and a plumber said it should work if done regularly. Hugs, Gwen
Lori in SD says
loved reading the household hints. I have on my long sleeved fleece pajama’s and slippers with one of my trusty little electric heaters warming my sewing room. I have been thinking of you!
Frannie says
I hoped this recipe was the one I lost almost 30 years ago but NOT. The one I’m looking for used cream cheese and was layered and in a round mold. Pretty sure it came out of Woman’s Day and I’ve searched the internet recipes over and over with no luck. Does this ring any memory bells ladies?
Jennifer says
Alka-Seltzer and Coke, huh? I might have to try that since I’m tired of calling the maint. guys out to pour whatever they put in the drain.
Katie says
I am going to stop for some Alka-Seltzer on my way home tonight! The drain in our (only) bathroom has run slow since we moved in 7 years ago. We’ve put every product we can find down it and it only drains a little faster for a little while. If this works, I’ll be forever thankful to you and your dad. Thanks for the tip!
Stay warm – I hope your heat is working again soon!
Ramona-quilter says
Alka Seltzer, Coke, oh my. If it cleaned your drain so well, don’t you just wonder what it does to our insides. YIKES. I have used vinegar in my coffee maker for years but never thought about using it on enamel. I’ll have to give that a go. Thanks, Judy..
Rebecca says
Vinegar is good on the shower walls/doors, as Julie mentioned. My showerhead was getting very crudded up, so the massage function wasn’t working. Took it off, soaked in vinegar, and voila! A sparkling, functioning, showerhead! Non-toxic, too.
Never heard that solution for drains. I may have to try it in the sink (always slow), although I’ll have to buy both products just for that. Again, non-toxic(?).