• Our Aussie friend, Rose, wrote: "I had trouble with the gunk in the washing machine till I changed to using vinegar instead of Staysoft in the dispenser now I have no problems it helps the clothes and it helps the washing machine to keep clean."
• Patricia says: "What I do every month is to wash a load of whites or towels. Instead of putting in fabric softener, I fill the faric softener area with white vinegar as far up as it will go. When it hits the spin cycle, it distributes it through the machine. It cuts the gunk from everywhere in the machine. I also block the little hole at the bottom of the soap dispenser and let vinegar sit for @ 1 hour to clean that out also."
• Finally, BJ added: "I SOAK MINE ONCE A MONTH IN CLOROX AND CLEAN WITH A BRUSH.ALSO RINSE IT WITH WHITE VINEGAR AFTERWARDS."

Thanks to all of you for your ideas!

Labels: cleaning tips, cleaning washing machines, how to, laundry, readers help, readers tips, washing machines

Posted by HappySlob :: 7:57 AM :: 0 comments

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Wednesday, May 09, 2007 Reader's Questions - House and Home - Cleaning the Washing Machine

Does anyone have tips on cleaning the washer? Specifically, the dispenser for fabric softener on the agitator. Mine is kind of gunky and I'd love to see it sparkling clean! Thanks! Elisa

If YOU have a suggestion for Elisa, please e-mail it to me at christina@happyslob.com and I'll include it here on the blog for her!

Labels: cleaning, helpful hints, laundry, readers questions, readers tips, washers, washing machines

Posted by HappySlob :: 10:58 AM :: 0 comments

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Monday, April 23, 2007 How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs - Readers Questions

After a recent question about bed bugs from a reader, Toni sent in this fabulous email to me...hope anyone with a problem with bed bugs will find it helpful. :) Big thanks to you Toni!

For the reader that inquired on how to get rid of bed bugs...

When my son and I moved to the apartment complex this past June, a couple of months later in the units down the end from us, was a bed bug epidemic. Talking with professionals, along with the bitten hosts, we learned this:

Bedbugs are very hardy and live a long time. Mattresses ALONG with furniture must be discarded. Bedbugs can even live hidden well in your dressers. They will go to great lengths for food so whereever you are sleeping they will find you which means including your couch.
Sadly this is a very expensive pest to have. The residents not only threw away mostly all of their furniture (inspite of spraying as the bedbugs can hide) but it cost them a fortune to wash EVERY single article of clothing and bedding in the household. Bedbugs will also feed on your furry friends and can be deadly if you have small enough creatures not able to stand their terrible bites. The residents (4 units were infested) were so badly bitten including one of the families 14 month old daughter (that in itself would have had me gone).

As a precaution, I bought clear caulk and closed up as many gaps as I could in the apt. I also put protective foam covers under all the light switches as supposingly these pests live well in and around electrical areas ( which includes your telephone,tv and etc)

A reputable airtight mattress cover was put on the mattress along with a similiar cover for the pillow.

This truly stressed me out but fortunately none of our units on this end ever had a problem. I also went to Home Depot and bought a gallon of no scent bugspray that stated it was for use against bedbugs as well (inspite of being against this stuff but was against having BB's even more)I am being honest and truthful with my information here as it came first hand. I did tons of research and lost lots of sleep.

People generally think that bedbugs come from filth. Even your most posh hotels can have them and you can also get them from something that someone else has that have them.

I wish you all the best

Hugs,
Toni~

Labels: bed bugs, bugs, helpful hints, how to, infestations, insects, mattresses, readers help, readers tips, vermin

Posted by HappySlob :: 9:12 AM :: 1 comments

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Another Tip on Relieving Toothache Pain

I have used vanilla extract to kill the pain from a toothache. Just dab on finger and rub on tooth.

Angela, Terre Haute, IN

Thanks for sending in this tip, Angela!

Labels: dental pain, helpful hints, readers tips, toothache

Posted by HappySlob :: 9:09 AM :: 0 comments

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Sunday, March 11, 2007 Readers Questions - Help for Overweight Pets

I've had a few emails recently from readers about how to help their cats and dogs to lose weight! With two tubby cats of my own, I'd also love to hear from you readers on how we can help our beloved pets - safely - lose a bit of the pudge. :) E-mail me anytime at christina@happyslob.com to submit your ideas.

Labels: cats, dogs, overweight, pet food, pets, readers questions, readers tips

Posted by HappySlob :: 11:27 AM :: 0 comments

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Monday, February 19, 2007 Help for a Reader - Making Sugar-Free Chocolates at Home

In our last newsletter one reader wanted more information on making homemade sugar-free chocolates, instead of buying them at such a high cost in the stores.

Here is one helpful answer I received from another reader so far:

Helen F. asked about chocolate coating suitable for diabetics so she could make her own sweet treats at a more reasonable cost.....and I have found that "carob" chips work great for children with sensitivity to sugar and/or chocolate and need a substitute. Also, I have found that Kitchen Krafts offers candy coating for diabetics....and have used this coating just this past Christmas season for making lots and lots of chocolate treats for all the diabetics in our family! It's really a great sugar-free coating that looks and tastes like the real thing! Their website is
www.kitchenkrafts.com

Labels: carob, chocolate, dipping chocolates, homemade chocolates, readers tips, sugar-free, sugarless

Posted by HappySlob :: 9:41 AM :: 0 comments

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Sunday, February 04, 2007 Seasoning Cast Iron Pans with Bacon Fat

I love to find old skillets anywhere no matter what kind of shape they are in. Trust me, some have seen better days! No matter what, I have been able to salvage each one of them. I know that one day my kids will move out and take every thing that isn't nailed down, including my skillets. So I have them stockpiled.
All I do to season them is.....clean them really well with an SOS pad, dry them on a low stove burner and when I want to season them, I just make some bacon! That's it, the mystery is solved. Bacon. My dad has a fit everytime Mom washes his "seasoned" skillet. A pound of bacon later, it's as good as used! (Who would want it new?) It's not necessary to use soap to wash them after that, all you need to do is wipe it out with a paper towel and it's good for next time. It's just like using Pampered Chef stonewear. Don't wash it when a wipe will do, right?

Hint Submitted by Becky - thanks for all the readers' tips on how to season cast iron skillets!

Labels: bacon, cast iron, cooking with cast iron, how to, readers tips, season

Posted by HappySlob :: 9:59 AM :: 0 comments

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