Cheap hacks that really work and are useful

[johnnyb47]

Hi,
Do you have any good cheap hacks that really work well?
My latest hack was to make my cordless vacuum cleaner more versatile.
As good as it is, as in being handy for using on the floor I find using the attachment tools to be not being the best.
I find the whole set up to cumbersome and to heavy to use.
So I got my hands on an old knackered mains vacuum cleaner and cut the flexible pipe off so it stretches to around 2 to 3 ft ,and butchered the ends of the pipe using insulation tape to build up the diameter to snuggly fit the cordless vac and the same at the other end to get the various attachments to fit.
It now makes a brilliant vacuum cleaner to get inside the cars tricky tight spaces and for all sorts of awkward places around the house.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

So I got my hands on an old knackered mains vacuum cleaner and cut the flexible pipe off so it stretches to around 2 to 3 ft

Lol, I was planning to cut the hose of my Henry because it's too long to manouvre in my small, narrow flat.
But I loath to do it because the bloody Henry Hoover was expensive

 

[johnnyb47]

There not cheap anymore are Henry Hoovers.
I sometimes see them on special offer in B&Ms.
Good reliable vacuum cleaners though

 

[geordie458]

Baking soda + vinegar for drains. Unclogs fast. Sock hack for shoes too.

 

[Sharky]

Never had the confidence to do myself, but storing paint tins up side down, uses the paint itself to form an air tight section and the paint itself stays fresh.

 

[Punkawallah]

Never had the confidence to do myself, but storing paint tins up side down, uses the paint itself to form an air tight section and the paint itself stays fresh.

Tap (!) the lids down with a light hammer before storage. For ‘belt & braces’ create a bund wall for the tins by storing them in a cut-down cardboard box lined with a plastic bag.

My paint tins are stored upside down with hammered down lids. No issues.

 

[FrankCrank]

Drill a hole in your fridge door to check the light goes out when you close it.

(not tried it myself)

 

[Windle]

Drill a hole in your fridge door to check the light goes out when you close it.

(not tried it myself)

But make sure you plug the hole up with an insulated bung afterwards or the cold will escape.

 

[Fastpedaller]

Never had the confidence to do myself, but storing paint tins up side down, uses the paint itself to form an air tight section and the paint itself stays fresh.

Storing the tins upside-down means the air in the bottom (now top) of the tin forms a skin. When the tin is turned the correct way for opening all seems well until the paint is stirred and the skin breaks up, mixing into the paint.
The lids on paint pots are so thin that they can be destroyed during attempts to remove them after the paint has been used previously then stored. It's very difficult to find a source of new tins to re-pot the paint, and start the 'cycle' again.
I found a solution to this problem via t'internet
Before using the paint for the first time, mark the lid and the tin with an index mark so the alignment between lid/tin is always in the same position. After using the paint, put cling-film between the lid and the pot, and press the lid on firmly - this will achieve an air-tight seal and avoid any future damage to the lid or difficulty removing it! For added avoidance of 'skin formation', if you have a butane/propane gas blowlamp, put some of the gas into the top of the can as you put the cling film in place - the gas is heavier than air and will form a protection between the paint and any air in the can, thus minimising chance of skinning. Don't, of course, light the blowlamp p.s. don't invert the can!
I've used this method for a few years, and not had any difficulty removing lids, or with paint drying.
p.s. Be careful no remnants of cling film are left behind when removing the lid and film - use a new piece of film each time.

 

[Pblakeney]

Storing the tins upside-down means the air in the bottom (now top) of the tin forms a skin. When the tin is turned the correct way for opening all seems well until the paint is stirred and the skin breaks up, mixing into the paint.
The lids on paint pots are so thin that they can be destroyed during attempts to remove them after the paint has been used previously then stored. It's very difficult to find a source of new tins to re-pot the paint, and start the 'cycle' again.
I found a solution to this problem via t'internet
Before using the paint for the first time, mark the lid and the tin with an index mark so the alignment between lid/tin is always in the same position. After using the paint, put cling-film between the lid and the pot, and press the lid on firmly - this will achieve an air-tight seal and avoid any future damage to the lid or difficulty removing it! For added avoidance of 'skin formation', if you have a butane/propane gas blowlamp, put some of the gas into the top of the can as you put the cling film in place - the gas is heavier than air and will form a protection between the paint and any air in the can, thus minimising chance of skinning. Don't, of course, light the blowlamp p.s. don't invert the can!
I've used this method for a few years, and not had and difficulty removing lids, or with paint drying.
p.s. Be careful no remnants of cling film are left behind when removing the lid and film - use a new piece of film each time.

Buy smaller tins?

 

[Tenkaykev]

Some canny advice in this thread...

 

[Sharky]

For those who can never remember their own phone number .....

And if you ever breakdown and need to call the rescue services.

I write my phone number on my AA card and cover it with clear tape. Then when they ask me the best number to call back it's right in front of me on the card.

Useful at other times as well.

 

[Punkawallah]

Buy smaller tins?

It’s a fine dividing line between saving by buying a big tin, and wasting by not using the surplus paint.

 

[Pblakeney]

It’s a fine dividing line between saving by buying a big tin, and wasting by not using the surplus paint.

I find the amount left over not to be worth saving.

 

[Fastpedaller]

It depends on the extent of the job. Has anyone else noticed the 'clever selling' of emulsion paints? The most popular colours are generally only available in a small tin(1L), and the least popular are only available in a big tin (5L)