drt*grl*pdx's Profile

Oh how I hate most shower doors! One of the first things I did when moving in with my (now) husband. He couldn't understand why I wanted to rip them out immediately...... until he saw the grossness that had grown under the track! They've improved a bit in the last few years ----- a new track system that does not hold water, but unless they are kept clean...... ugh!

A shower curtain liner can be washed in a washer with old towels & some bleach to disinfect (don't put it in the dryer!). I've had the same 'heavy duty' liner for quite some time. Using one of those after shower sprays on the curtain each time really helps as well.

For the person with the claw foot tub & billowing curtains ----the tub is likely metal under the enamel so if you use strong magnets to hold the curtain in place, it should help.

should have said, 'easy to remove from glass' ----- use a 'magic eraser' sponge to get it off most plastic or rubbing alcohol.

Eye candy indeed! I finally have a decent pantry (much like #7) after years of managing with half baked spaces. Wish I had known about those 'barn door' type sliders though.

JUST purchased some corn syrup to make brittle. My mom used to stir it into peanut butter which we would then eat with our fingers from a bowl "peanut butter in a bowl" (I know, weird :-)

It really doesn't take THAT much time to put things in jars. Once jars are established for regularly purchased items, it's easy to fill them as purchases are made. In the end plenty of time is saved that would be spent rustling through bags of stuff tossed on a shelf.

I tend to keep most flours in the freezer now (in repurposed 'muscle milk' type containers) & a smallish jar in the pantry. Beans are from the bulk bin & I usually manage to buy just the right amount. If there is extra, use that first to get rid of the annoying bags ASAP --- or make soup with the extras.

Mason jars from 1/2 gallon size down, some gallon jars, some clamp jars are labeled with a Sharpie marker which will eventually wear off or is easy to wash off, but usually have no problem --- I write where I won't hold the jar. Sometimes the writing is hard to see, though, so I'll tape a label on the back side or cut the label from the bag or box & tape it to the jar.

Write the date purchased (or opened) as well!!!!! Once I finally started doing that, I was amazed at how old things could get (frig items too). It's helped me not buy too much. Sometimes, the bigger item is not the bargain if it's just going to go bad because I can't use it up in time.

I scored a shelving unit from the street years ago. It has 15 cubicles that's perfect for an extra pantry of canned goods. Put it on castors for the rare event that it has to move (it's also a room divider for the laundry area :-)

Like things together is my mantra ---- think like the grocery store ---- beans together, rice, pasta, sweeteners, baking supplies, grouping specific food types i.e. asian, mexican, fish, bbq sauces & small boxes to hold tea & odd items.

It's taken me YEARS to get to this point ----wish I'd had AT all along!

oh, and little mice in number one! funny? not. ewwww.

I also liked that mason jar soap dispenser. Just typed that in & came up with various DIY hits. Pretty easy --- I think the main issue would be finding a decent looking pump.

Actually I think the containers are positioned so the door will close. And there is a small space allowance between the cabinet & door. But you're right that it is an absolute consideration when using this method (learned the hard way on at least two occasions --- finally figured out to check this aspect out FIRST before installation :-/

Agree, I always try to get the box that goes with the shoe (although without the paper, etc). If that's not possible, I re-use another shoe box & label the outside. Tape the corners for re-enforcement.

Always good to air out the shoes before putting back in boxes.

Wine bottles make great boot stays! (I think I learned that somewhere here on A.T.)

During off season, boots go back in boxes & out come the sandals & vice versa.

Also have one of those over the door shoe hangers with XL pockets for in season shoes so they're not strewn about the closet floor. Usually one pair fits in one pocket rather than one shoe each.

And if I run out of room in the 'designated area' I get rid of shoes in order to make room!

Glad I don't live where roaches would eat the boxes! :-p

As a former professional house cleaner I see life from both sides. I have had client's whose places were pretty covered with pet hair. One of my first questions was: kids or pets? how many, what kinds? Definitely made a difference in my quote. I was having a few flashbacks reading the comments.......

That said, I have 2 cats with numerous beds of their own. They rarely get on our bed, but are not allowed on pillows or under blankets when they do. They get wiped down with a damp rag & brushed frequently.

The doggy is much cleaner --- a poodle, so no shedding (which was intentional given my experiences). I wipe her paws, give her a bath regularly & shear her down tight ---. I was a bit concerned about cleanliness issues around a dog, but she is the cleanest animal I've ever known & WAY cleaner than the boys.

Doggy burrows straight to the bottom of the bed at night. How does she BREATHE down there??? Decorative sheet over white comforter keeps it clean (& I can change up the room with the change of a sheet).

PS -- those yellow dishwasher gloves (with the little diamonds on the palm) & a spritz of water can literally scrape fur from upholstery.

I started freezing the large containers of garlic from Costco because I could NOT get through a whole container before it went bad (& I think I eat a lot of garlic). I've frozen about a half container a few times and used it without incident. However, this last time, I noticed the garlic had some weird white, mold looking spots on it. It looked a little too weird & I wasn't taking a chance, so I tossed it in the compost. Not sure if it had been in the fridge too long before freezing it or what.

I've also roasted trays of the same garlic & frozen it with no problem. Let it thaw for a short while & chop ---or add directly to soup, stew, whatever.

I would still use fresh if it were not going in a cooked dish. I do find it a little annoying to peel a lot of garlic ---fingers get sticky, paper skin sticks to fingers.......