Category: This & That

Make A New Bar Of Soap

Making new bars of soap from old used bars of soap is very easy.
It is good for the planet, the wallet and an invigorating self satisfaction.

  • Gather used bars of soap
  • Gather molds that can take heat. Either non stick or spray them with vegetable oils
  • Grate or cut the soap in small pieces
  • Heat water, milk, tea or other preferred liquid in a pot
  • Place soap shavings in the pot and simmer until fully melted
  • Add oat meal, coffee, oils, coloring, aromas or anything you desire
  • Stir all ingredients and then pour into molds
  • Let dry for at least 24 hours prior to removal from molds
  • Let the soap fully dry until it feels ready
  • Enjoy your creation with pride

Similar topics are discussed in this post.

Raking the Tomatoes

Tomato season is almost over and the plant shown is not the greatest example of bounty but the idea here is to celebrate the rake.
Considering the high price of some tomato cages, the sawed off rake that would have been tossed otherwise, provided a certain “free range” for the tomatoes to grow with ample air and sun space. Leave alone hand space for harvesting.tomato_2474a_use_webThe small bungee cords never once severed the branches and easily allowed adjusting as the plant grew. The rake never tilted in any direction because the bungee cords were arranged with a sense of balance and the pole set as deep as possible.
The growth of the tomato plant would gradually make the rake visually disappear.
The pole should be embed 2/3 of its overall length to avoid over turning.
So maybe next year instead of buying a couple of tomato cages, for the same money or less you can get the aging rakes replaced, avoid waste and still support your tomatoes off the ground.
Not to mention a refreshing state of the mind for experiencing something new, a witty solution and for supporting the economy.

Cabinet Pulls And Knobs

plumbwashers_2473_use_MS_webIn some cases, rubber plumbing washers can enhance cabinet pulls and knobs by providing better bearing on the cabinet, provide more finger space, dramatically reduce scratches due to finger nails and add a splash of color.
When used one cannot tell they are plumbing washers.

plumb washers_2010use_webplumb washers_2512 use_web

Most of the plumbing washers are black but salmon, baby blue and reddish are easily found.
The washers can be flat or beveled, come in different sizes and some of them will easily buff to a luster with a small rag.plumb washers 011 use_web plumb washers 025_A-use_web
Using these washers will require a longer screw to make up for the added depth.plumb washers_0086a use_webplumb washers_0067 use_web
They can be used singly or as a stack of multiple sizes for a pyramidal effect.

Electrical Tip:
These rubber plumbing washers can also be extensively beneficial when used to bring forward a light switch or a plug in the wall so that they can be as flush as possible to the wall surface to receive the decorative plate.
This problem usually happens when the existing wall gets a “new face” and a new thickness added onto it, thus leaving the electrical boxes further back.
Replace the screws on the outlet with longer ones and impale the washers as needed.
It works!

Plastic Storage Jars: A Closer Look

These days plastic jars with lids to store dry foods are sold in stores for at least $5.00 ea..
Retail stores also sell foods and many other items in plastic containers which come in a multitude of shapes and sizes, and with no doubt we pay for them.plastic jars_2215_PS_web
Fortunately, we can reuse the containers of the products we purchase rather than just donate them to the garbage companies to capitalize on our recycle.
The labels usually come off easily with paint thinner, rubbing alcohol or can at times be water soluble. plastic jars_2165_B_use_webThe mouths of the jars are of standard sizes and come with colored lids which can be interchanged easily to suit. The jars offer transparency of the contents and keep us neat and organized.

When searching for an item, cupboards with clear plastic jars can be visually scanned at once and render an organized and elegant look.plastic jars_2247_PS_use_web
Plastic storage jars will also allow you to fit more in the cupboards since product packaging comes in all different awkward sizes that do not relate to one another and therefore rob space.

SOME TYPES OF CONTAINERS

Large jars for bulk:  plastic jars_2280_use_PS_webThese are very nice and very good quality large mouth jars good to hold bulk such as types of rice, beans, sugar, flour etc. They were found at Costco some time ago and Biscotti were sold in them.

Tall jars:
plastic jars_2312_use_PS_webThese long and skinny jars are made of a thinner thickness of plastic but they are great for long items such as spaghetti. Target sold nuts and the sort in them. They can also be found at the Popcorn Factory and some flavors have been spotted at the Burlington Coat Factory for a much better price. Sometimes the lids are in aluminum and sometimes in plastic.plastic jars_2276_use_PS_web
Shown in the coffee jar is a flexible cutting mat which becomes very handy in delivering the goods with great speed and minimal spill.
The shape of the jar makes it rapidly possible to pour straight into the coffee maker.
No spoons, no measuring cup and all in the wrist.

Hexagonal/Oval jars:
plastic jars_2286_use_PS_webThese jars were found at Costco. Both types had Chocolates Of The World and the hexagonal ones had jelly beans.

plastic jars_2283_use_webBoth types of jars hold the same volume.

Square tall and short jars:
plastic jars_2305_use_PS_webThese square food jars come in few different sizes and heights. Some of them may have lids that flip open to pour, they have built in handles and can be found anywhere. plastic jars_2302_use_PS_webThey are very handy for potato chips and cereals.

Peanut butter type jars:
plastic-jars_2320_use_MS_webplastic jars_1786_MS_webThis is a very common classic peanut butter jar but it could be found at Target holding nuts.
The plastic is tough, thick and durable. Very handy in the garage to hold screws, nails, nuts and so on.

Cheese type jars:
plastic jars_2310_use_MS_webFound in supermarkets usually in two sizes these Parmesan cheese jars are handy to store goods and food. Their lids flip open allowing pouring or sprinkling.
They can be very handy for smaller quantities needing storage such as sour gummy bears and worms on the go, pastina, polenta, dry beans and so on.
plastic jars_2313_use_MS_webVery handy for delivering Miracle Grow with no mess.

Spice jars:
plastic jars_2331_use_MS_webMany types of small plastic storage jars are in the spices section of supermarkets. They provide an interesting assortment and are very handy for arts and crafts as well as many small items.
The ones shown are the Mrs. Dash brand. The lids come in different colors and the plastic is thick and strong.
Use them to also store the different kinds of beach sands of the world you encounter on your vacations. You will be surprised in the difference in the colors of the sands.

CD Containers:
plastic jars_2291a-_use2_MS_webWhen the compact discs are all used up we end up with a container that works well in impaling all kinds of tapes we have roaming in the garage. This container makes it a focus that this is the only place where the roll of tape we left behind should be. The rolls of tape could however at times be too wide to fit.plastic jars_2288-use_MS_web With the center rod removed, these containers could hold other kinds of items.
The CD containers also stack and interlock rather nicely.

Tip:
Samples of jars above have proven to be good every day gifts to friends, highly desired donations to elementary schools or local industries such as Goodwill.
Give plastic jars a second life and help reduce waste on the planet!