abbytail's Profile

uh,you can't wash wool? glad I never knew that, because I've washed many a thrifted wool item over the years and never had any problems. Just pop it in the washing machine and air dry. I even washed one of those sheepskins you gat at ikea after the cat had an accident on it. I did add consitioner to that washing cycle to keep the fibres untangled.

In stead of painting you could stain the doors with a different (color) finish, to create a more up to date look. If you stain them you will still be able to see the craftmanship, yet you can make it your own. I personally really dislike orangy wood. So I'd say do what you feel like and painting is a better option than ripping the whole thing out.

@fragglefemme
Maybe your doning something wrong? toothpaste really DOES NOT HAVE TO FOAM TO WORK, so maybe switch to another brand (i'm thinking less foam is less mess)

use less toothpaste, you really only need the amount of a bean, not over the whole length of your toothbrush.

Talk to your dentist? She/He might give you some tips how to do more with less. Most effect of cleansing comes from using the right technique. We do and we only use 1 tube of toothpaste in six months between the two of us, and no caries!

oh, my, I have scored three of those (two in mint condition and all real leather) for approx 3 dollars a piece at yard sales. Just to say that just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's not the real thing.
And yes the newspaper balls do work great, but you'll have to change the stuffing every year or so, depending on the amount of use.
I stuffed mine with the foam of our old matress (we bought a new one as the springs were poking through)

You could check out wherther there are any companies that use alkali wash/baths to strip paint. We had our old interior doors cleaned this way. All the paint came off and we didn't have to inhale any fumes. :) The alkaliwash/bath as a finish for pine furniture was very popular a few years back. We first contacted a shop that sold this kind of furniture and found out through them where we could have our doors cleaned.

Why would you want to use something to be composted for trash that can not be recycled/composted? If it's going to the trash burner, you could just use the occasional plastic bag or maybe just empty the trash can straight into the big collection container(if you have one of those).

I'm jealous though, we seem to generate a bag of trash a day, as overhere everything is packaged in plastic, and I am not allowed to make a compost by the homeowners association. Taking weeks ti fill up the kitchen trash container seems like a total wonder.....:)

to:alysaaria

Should I change the sign outside my house then: for sale, but watch out there were cats here! If your allergic, you can't but a house either, as you won't know there weé cats in there before. Really limitts your options to only renting of landlords who don't allow pets....

To Kristen: we have 2 cats in a small apartment and as said before a good vacuum is a must, we've got a miele pet special, but I don't know if they sell that in the U.S.
Also dettol, If it smells, use dettol it makes all smells really disappear. And: get rid of as many soft floorings as you can. I know it may seem a bit bleak at first, but you can get used to it. And only buy pillows and blankets that you can wash.

Oh, now I rememder, When I used to live in Finland we used to wash the carpets, and I did thid 4 times to our last carpet before the cat's trult ruined it.
Just put a big plastic on a lawn/pavement and place your mat on top of it. spray it wet. get on your hands and knees (I recommend warm weather) and get scrubbing with an envitonmentally friendly soap. (we osed ox-gall soap). Rinse thourougly on both sides. And hang someweher to dry (the washing is best done when a few dry days are predicted)

for cleaning small openings, tubes or what so ever try interdental brushes. They are like bottle brushes, but smaller (smallest only 2,5 mm diametre)

@ ali07 & GimmeSugar: in Finland houses are made of more solid materials than cardboard, so if you secure your shelfs like you should, they will hang there until removed. So I'dont see a problem.

And for all you wanting an moomin poster, I've got three, heh heh.... (sorry) Try www.finnmall.com they've got quite a selection

Uh, how big are your washingmachines.......? In our two person household we run three loads a week in our (in my opinion) average sized washing machine: Max 5kg a load.
But the small washing machine does look good though and under the washbasin would be a great place for a washing machine.