Hi everybody:
The other day, my little grandson was visiting and I gave him a really nice heavy duty white sweatshirt that had belonged to his uncle. He loved the logo on it and was quite happy with it. However, he accidentally spilled grape juice down the front as well as the sleeve and then proceeded to fall asleep so this wasn't noted until some time later. Then, to make matters worse, it got put aside and not washed until a few days later. Well, I used, what I call my "miracle" cleaner Lestoil (that strong-smelling pine cleaner), poured it over the stains and let it sit overnight. The next day I washed it and it turned out beautifully. Even all the old spots that had been there from when his uncle wore it many, many years ago had also disappeared.

The first time I used this for stain removal was over the Christmas holidays when my son came home from university with a large grease stain from his bike on his favourite khakis. In the meantime, these khakis had been washed and dried a number of times, setting the stain in even more. Well, somebody told me about Lestoil, I tried it on this grease stain and couldn't believe the results. You could practically see the stain lifting. What I especially like about this stuff is that it has no bleach in it so colours are not affected in any way.

So, that is my special, tried and true handy household hint. Does anybody else have any special hints they would like to share?

Bridget

Bridget,

I love Lestoil too! It's also good for getting gum out of hair and getting magic marker off furniture (be sure to test a spot underneath to make sure it doesn't take the finish off, too--I haven't had a problem yet, though!).

I use it on my floors--love the smell!!

I will definitely have to try Lestoil. I have never seen it, but I will be looking. My son plays football and now he is playing baseball and of course lots of grass and dirt stains I have to soak and scrub on.

Another handy hint is uses for Bounce dryer sheets. Great for freshening by sticking in shoes, trash cans, drawers, old books that don't get much reading, even cat hair, shower doors, etc.

MOM3

Happy Easter!
Yes, I must say that Lestoil has been a staple in my house ever since the kids were little. Somebody told me that it was good for getting out spots and stains and I have used it ever since.

Now that Easter is here and the beautiful Easter lilies are plentiful, I will pass on this tip to those who don't already know. To help keep your lovely lily lasting longer (how is that for alliteration?), here is a little tip. After the lily has bloomed, just pinch off the yellow (stamen or pistil), part. I am not sure what it is called, but pinch that part off and your lily will last quite a long time. I do this every year and have my lilies around for a month or more.

HAPPY EASTER AGAIN TO ALL
Melissa

Good beautiful spring morning everybody!
Mom3 mentioned using Bounce and that reminded me how great it is for "critter" control. We have a cottage that we inhabit in the summertime and was inhabited by mice, squirrels and chipmunks in the winter. They would get into everything and make such a mess, turning sweaters into bits of fluff, etc. Any magazines, tissue, etc in the outhouse would be transformed into confetti. Somebody told me to put Bounce sheets in the drawers, between blankets, in the cupboards etc. over the wintertime and the results were amazing! Little critters definitely do not like Bounce. Also, my brother uses it for mosquito control and has actually pinned a sheet of Bounce on his little fellow's hat to repel mosquitoes.
Bridget

Bridget,

That's a great hint about the Bounce!! We had squirrels up in our attic and used moth balls and after shave which are supposed to do the job, too. By the time I found out about them my husband had figured out how they were getting in and closed off their entrance!