Ask urbs' advice on those domestic tasks you just can't seem to do properly

[Cloo]

For me it's cleaning grease off plastic - like takeaway boxes your cleaning to re-use, or any plastic receptacle that's had something with oil in them. No matter what I do with them, they come out still greasy. I've tried soaking, I've tried practically drenching them in washing up liquid, and rubbing the surface firmly all over with a sponge and then rinsing with loads of cold water but, nope, they still feel greasy. Any tips? Anyone else have tasks they can't seem to do right?

 

[SpookyFrank]

Add something abrasive, like salt, with the potwash. Use minimal water.

Works for getting bike grease off your hands too.

 

[SpookyFrank]

You can also use a recently-used teabag to wipe down greasy plastic items. Tea is a natural astringent.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

A dishwasher should do the job of getting rid of the grease from plastic items (if you have one)

 

[SpookyFrank]

Dishwashers don't work. They're the second biggest con of the 20th century, after liberalism.

 

[Saunders]

A dishwasher should do the job of getting rid of the grease from plastic items (if you have one)

It doesn’t though. Plastic boxes need hot soapy + scourer, followed by dishwasher. And then preferably dried with a clean cloth while they’re still hot, after the water has been shaken off them.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

It doesn’t though. Plastic boxes need hot soapy + scourer, followed by dishwasher. And then preferably dried with a clean cloth while they’re still hot, after the water has been shaken off them.

I've never had an issue with cleaning greasy plastic stuff in the machine without any pre-wash. It's always worked perfectly.

 

[Saunders]

I've never had an issue with cleaning greasy plastic stuff in the machine without any pre-wash. It's always worked perfectly.

You’re so lucky. I’ve always had a problem with them at home and they’re the bane of my life at work.

 

[Cloo]

Interesting, might try with our dishwasher. gsv can wash up greasy plastic things OK, but I just can't manage it!

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Getting a nice neat finish with silicone bathroom sealant. Then getting the resulting mess off my hands, floor, walls and generally every other place it shouldn’t be.

 

[WouldBe]

Getting a nice neat finish with silicone bathroom sealant. Then getting the resulting mess off my hands, floor, walls and generally every other place it shouldn’t be.

The simple solution to that is to get someone in to do it.

 

[A380]

Getting a nice neat finish with silicone bathroom sealant. Then getting the resulting mess off my hands, floor, walls and generally every other place it shouldn’t be.

Easy one. Pay someone else to do it. Works every time.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

The simple solution to that is to get someone in to do it.

It’s one of very few DIY tasks I can’t do, and thus absolutely maddening. I could literally fit, plumb in and then decorate an entire bathroom.

I just couldn’t make it watertight

 

[WouldBe]

It’s one of very few DIY tasks I can’t do, and thus absolutely maddening. I could literally fit, plumb in and then decorate an entire bathroom.

I just couldn’t make it watertight

Same here. Last time I did my bathroom I taped off the tiles and bath and applied the silicon and went for a quick cuppa. Unfortunately they must have reformulated the silicon since the last time I'd used any so it had virtually fully set when I went back to it. So had to make a quick trip to a DIY store to get some sealant remover.

 

[weltweit]

I want my loo to look sparkling and new.

It doesn't

 

[Looby]

My taps and shower never look properly clean and shiny.

 

[danski]

beesonthewhatnow
Yeah, get a mastic man in then watch closely.
You need good quality and appropriate silicone for the job/environment and a decent tool to work it with. Proper skills to do it nice every time.

 

[bellaozzydog]

For me it's cleaning grease off plastic - like takeaway boxes your cleaning to re-use, or any plastic receptacle that's had something with oil in them. No matter what I do with them, they come out still greasy. I've tried soaking, I've tried practically drenching them in washing up liquid, and rubbing the surface firmly all over with a sponge and then rinsing with loads of cold water but, nope, they still feel greasy. Any tips? Anyone else have tasks they can't seem to do right?

Use flash liquid. It’s how I clean my baking trays

 

[bellaozzydog]

I’ve just learned to do poached eggs to a professional standard

It’s all about sieving off the fluffy bit of white, who knew

 

[danski]

My taps and shower never look properly clean and shiny.

Water softener.
Cheaper option is to use yellow (for nonstick pans) scouring pads.

 

[SpookyFrank]

My taps and shower never look properly clean and shiny.

White vinegar.

 

[story]

White vinegar.

And a micro fibre cloth

 

[High Voltage]

Getting a nice neat finish with silicone bathroom sealant. Then getting the resulting mess off my hands, floor, walls and generally every other place it shouldn’t be.

And invest in a few practice goes - the tools really do make it simplicity itself and I'm far from a DiY god

It's a bit longer than a YouTube video I'd usually watch, but it's well worth taking the time - shows Do's and Don'ts

 

[platinumsage]

I always run the dishwasher at 70C, works like a dream. If I do an Eco wash at 45C it's very half-hearted.

 

[Looby]

Thanks for the tap tips, will give them a go.
Not today but at some point.

 

[WouldBe]

And invest in a few practice goes - the tools really do make it simplicity itself and I'm far from a DiY god

It's a bit longer than a YouTube video I'd usually watch, but it's well worth taking the time - shows Do's and Don'ts

Only thing I'd say about that is if he thinks smoothing the silicon with a finger will form a lip where bacteria and mould can grow then making a convex silicon bead will create a bigger lip. also if convex beads are bad why does the tool he recommends allow you to form convex beads.

 

[furluxor]

Washing machine mystery. I received a bunch of cheap handkerchiefs as a gift. When they come out of the wash, they often have tiny black marks. Some marks can be scraped off with a fingernail, in which case the black material bunches together like soft plastic. Other marks just look like stains and don't come off. Only handkerchiefs exhibit this problem.

Am I doing something wrong here or are they somehow fucked up? They're supposed to be cotton but given their very low price and poor quality overall (stitches coming out) it could be anything. If they are fucked up, how are they fucked up, exactly? Some of them have black thread but it doesn't look like it's dissolved/untidy in any way.

Very curious.

 

[story]

Washing machine mystery. I received a bunch of cheap handkerchiefs as a gift. When they come out of the wash, they often have tiny black marks. Some marks can be scraped off with a fingernail, in which case the black material bunches together like soft plastic. Other marks just look like stains and don't come off. Only handkerchiefs exhibit this problem.

Am I doing something wrong here or are they somehow fucked up? They're supposed to be cotton but given their very low price and poor quality overall (stitches coming out) it could be anything. If they are fucked up, how are they fucked up, exactly? Some of them have black thread but it doesn't look like it's dissolved/untidy in any way.

Very curious.

What kind of drugs are you snorting?!

 

[Epona]

Washing machine mystery. I received a bunch of cheap handkerchiefs as a gift. When they come out of the wash, they often have tiny black marks. Some marks can be scraped off with a fingernail, in which case the black material bunches together like soft plastic. Other marks just look like stains and don't come off. Only handkerchiefs exhibit this problem.

Am I doing something wrong here or are they somehow fucked up? They're supposed to be cotton but given their very low price and poor quality overall (stitches coming out) it could be anything. If they are fucked up, how are they fucked up, exactly? Some of them have black thread but it doesn't look like it's dissolved/untidy in any way.

Very curious.

This site says it is snot that didn't dissolve because you aren't washing them at a high enough temperature...

How to Wash Handkerchiefs with Mucus? The Real Deal | TSHU

Washing hankies may be intimidating at first, especially if you’ve never done it. But it’s simple, we promise. Check out our expert tips!

www.1tshu1tree.com

 

[furluxor]

This site says it is snot that didn't dissolve because you aren't washing them at a high enough temperature...

How to Wash Handkerchiefs with Mucus? The Real Deal | TSHU

Washing hankies may be intimidating at first, especially if you’ve never done it. But it’s simple, we promise. Check out our expert tips!

www.1tshu1tree.com

View attachment 348521

Disgusting but informative, I thank you. I've checked with my partner, who does the laundry, but he swears he's been washing them at 30-40C. We'll try a higher temp!