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Household Hints

This category contains questions relating to all the odd or unusual problems that occur during everyday life. These are primarily how-to's or fix it issues pertaining to household tasks.

1,297 Questions

What is a grounding device?

what the hell is a grounding device? Any device that allows you to affix a ground wire to the mechanical enclosure that the conductors are in. eg. Ground lugs, ground screw in an electrical box.

What setting on an iron is equal to 400 degrees?

It's a hot setting . . . at the top end of your iron. Try the "cotton" setting. That should be about 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why are structures made of wood or steel more likely to survive strong ground shaking than structures made of brick or concretre?

im no engineer

but i would say steel and wood have the trait of movement

bricks and concrete are basically "glued" together and are strong as a support

i suggest that a "brick" the size of a family car wouldn't move much in any storm

tsunami not a storm

because concrete crumbles. wood doesn't unless it's been eaten by termites

What is the purpose of an air chamber in a water line?

An air chamber in a water line acts as a shock absorber to help prevent water hammer. Water hammer is the noisy banging sound that can occur when a water valve is suddenly closed, causing a pressure surge in the pipes. The air chamber provides a cushion of air that absorbs the shockwaves and reduces the stress on the pipes.

What temperature is nylon setting on iron?

Nylon typically requires a low to medium heat setting on an iron, usually around 275-300 degrees Fahrenheit. It's important to check the care instruction label on the nylon garment for specific temperature recommendations to avoid damaging the fabric.

Is it easy to remove stains from cotton?

Removing stains from cotton can vary depending on the type of stain. Some common methods include using a stain remover, white vinegar, or baking soda. It's important to act quickly and follow the care label instructions on the garment.

What is cause of pills on clothes?

Pilling of the cloth is common problem in polyester. The fibres protruding out of fabric surface attracts dirt,dust,foreign fibres (static charges adds to this attraction) and get entangled to form tiny balls. Cotton fibres breaks easily and those tiny balls get removed
very easily. But with polyester fibers,fibers are stronger so they last longer with entangled balls on their head. These entangled balls are pills.

Can you use laundry detergent in stead of carpet cleaner?

it works fine on some carpets and not as expensive as some carpet cleaners. However, if you are not able to rinse it thoroughly, the remaining soap will pick up dirt much more quickly. This is a place to buy the product you actually need rather than substituting with what you have.

How do you remove a color run from a towel?

Soak the towel in a mixture of cold water and distilled white vinegar for 30 minutes, then wash it in the washing machine with detergent. If the color run remains, repeat the process with a color-safe bleach or oxygen bleach solution. Avoid using hot water or chlorine bleach, as these can set the stain.

Does electric utility meter read real power or apparent power?

Energy meters monitor the supply voltage and the in-phase component of the load current -in other words, they read true (real) power not apparent power which, when time is taken into account (i.e. by the rotation of the meter's disc), results in a measure of energy consumed.

What can we do if our Curcuit breaker tripped on the heater and will not reset?

If your circuit breaker has tripped and will not reset after a heater overload, it is essential to disconnect the heater from the circuit and try resetting the breaker again. If the breaker continues to trip, there may be a more significant issue with the heater or the circuit, and it is recommended to contact a licensed electrician to assess and repair the problem to prevent any potential hazards.

How do you remove color stains from clothes?

Since different color stains come from different materials, there is no single right answer. Something like blood is a protein, which requires that you rinse it in cold water and pretreat it with something like OxyClean. Something like mustard or ink leaves a dye stain, so you should pretreat it and rinse it with hot water, and you may even have to consider bleach. Something with an oily or waxy feel needs to be pretreated with a liquid detergent, and may require a stronger detergent than you normally use. I recommend looking up the source of the stain if you know where it came from.

How can you remove the yellow stain left from hydrogen peroxide when you used it to remove another stain?

Soak the item in water and clothes detergent or any type of soap, such as dish detergent. You might have to keep it soaking for a few days. Throw it in with other loads, but do not dry until the stain is gone. Bleach seems to intensify the yellowing.... If the item is white the absolute BEST combination for any type of fabric, including white tennis shoes is a mixture of Tide and Cascade. Your whites will be brighter than ever before.

What is the temperature of the wool setting on a iron?

The wool setting on an iron typically ranges between 300-350°F (148-177°C). It is important to check the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer of the iron for the most accurate temperature setting.

How do you get permanent marker off a ceramic toilet?

You can try using acetone (nail polish remover) on a cotton ball to gently scrub the permanent marker off the ceramic surface. Alternatively, you can use a magic eraser or a mixture of baking soda and water to remove the marker stain. Remember to test any cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn't damage the ceramic finish.

How do you use borax to kill ants?

To use borax to kill ants, mix equal parts borax and sugar to attract the ants. Place the mixture in areas where you have seen ant activity. The ants will be attracted to the sugar and take the borax back to their colony, which will eventually kill them.

Is ammonia safe to use?

As with any household cleaner, ammonia is safe when used in accordance with the instructions on the label. Children should not use ammonia without permission from and monitoring by their parent or guardian.

What would cause toilet water to appear rusty brown?

Rusty brown toilet water can be caused by iron or manganese deposits in the water supply. This can occur from corrosion in old pipes, sediment buildup in the water heater, or naturally occurring minerals in the water source. It's important to address the underlying cause to prevent further discoloration and ensure the water is safe for use.

How hot does an iron reach at the cotton setting?

An iron set to the cotton setting typically reaches a temperature between 360-445°F (182-230°C), which is hot enough to effectively smooth out wrinkles in cotton fabric without causing damage. It's important to always refer to the manufacturer's instructions for the specific iron you are using.

What is waterbed conditioner?

It treats the water in the bed and stops the formation of moulds and algae - in other words, it stops the water going green and smelly.

<Improve the answer> Yes! Please improve it. What's in it? Which chemicals and in what concentration? Which grocery store or kitchen sink stuff can be substituted?

Why are there no ingredients on the label as can be found on almost every item in a grocery store?

Is is pure and unadulterated Snake Oil?

How much chlorine bleach do you need to disinfect 40 gallons of water?

Ratio of Clorox Bleach to Water for Purification

2 drops of Regular Clorox Bleach per quart of water

8 drops of Regular Clorox Bleach per gallon of water

1/2 teaspoon Regular Clorox Bleach per five gallons of water

If water is cloudy, double the recommended dosages of Clorox Bleach this answer was found here: http://www.csgnetwork.com/h2oemergencypurifycalc.html

How do you remove a stain of white deodorant from a black blouse?

It should be able to come off just by using a damp cloth (with a little bit of scrubbing). It seems to work for me. Obviously if you do not need to wear it straight away, pop it back in the wash.

How do you get rid of smell due to sprayed insulation?

To get rid of the smell from sprayed insulation, you can try increasing ventilation by opening windows and using fans to help remove the odor. Activated charcoal or baking soda can also help absorb the smells. It's important to address any underlying issues, such as moisture, that may be causing the odor.

How do you get cover of dome ceiling light fixture to change light bulb?

It depends on the fixture. I have 4 types. One has screws on the outside of the metal frame, so you unscrew those and hold the glass bowl. Another has two big metal clips INSIDE the glass bowl. I have to be brave and just pull to one side until the first side unclips - putting it back on is more nerve wracking! Another has a metal pole coming through the center of the dome. Hold on to the glass, but pull the metal piece a bit to one side and then unscrew it. The final one almost stumped me - an electrician purchased it and installed it this winter and I never thought about changing the bulb! There is no metal pole, no screws, just the frame and the dome. You have to TWIST the glass counterclockwise and it unscrews (there are three metal bumps on the INSIDE that hold it when you screw it back. hope this helps!

And I found a fifth: Hold metal frame and pull down on glass fixture. One side started coming out giving me confidence to pull more. I finally removed the glass and found three Spring Clips that hold the glass fixture. I strongly suggest that this is the last method you consider.