#don’t mix vinegar and baking soda to clean
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#I see this all the time and it drives me nuts#love this guy#cleaning#cleaning tips#chem thug#don’t mix vinegar and baking soda to clean#please#you’re just making water and gas#😫😫😫#not 1D
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look clean, smell clean, feel clean 🫧🪽🕯️✨🤍
double cleanse your body! wash first with a bar soap, preferably with a wash cloth or wash glove to help with exfoliating all the dirt and sweat from the day. and replace your cloths every day. that’s why i recommend them more than using a regular loofah. those things build up so much bacteria, you’re better off using something you can wash every day. silicone brushes are great too, but do replace them after a few months. scrub well, everywhere. don’t forget neglected areas such as behind the ears, between finger & toes, belly button, etc. finish off with a body wash.
for the lady bits, keep it simple with unscented bar soap only. washing only your vulva. you want to make sure you’re cleansing between all the folds and around (and yes i know, never inside). as controversial as it is, water is not enough. sorry, argue with yourself.
hydrosilk trimstyle razor is a fav for your bikini area. billie razors are also great.
double shampoo your scalp. you’ll notice a difference. add a scalp massager into the mix!
on hair wash days, don’t forget to also wash/disinfect your hair brushes.
you can make a homemade body scrub with honey + brown sugar. lips too! or just use a exfoliating glove.
change your bedsheets weekly!!!
dry brush your body before stepping into your shower. do a few body lymphatic massages after too with a wooden body massager.
you should be brushing your teeth two times a day. flossing as well. don’t forget to give your tongue a clean. invest in a tongue scraper. and mouthwash! therabreath is my fav brand. teeth whiten every 6 months or so, depending on if needed or not. also replace your tooth brushes/heads often as recommended (every 3-4 months).
moisturize everywhere after every shower/bath. i love to lather with both body oil & lotion. don’t forget the neglected areas such as your hands, feet, elbows, etc.
i’m a two deodorant kind of girl. it’s definitely not necessary to use two, but as someone who loves smelling clean, i use both stick & spray.
as repetitive as it sounds, what you eat plays a major part in your overall scent. make sure you’re fuelling your body with good foods. hydration is also important.
find a signature perfume that suits your skin’s ph level. even better if you find a body lotion of that same scent or similar, enhances the smell! extra tip, spray some on your comb before brushing out your hair.
use safe feminine wipes for bathroom use, rael is a great brand for wipes + pads. even better, use a peri bottle.
something i think a lot of people forget to mention, stay on top of your laundry. attitude laundry detergent is great but any works fine. i also like using baking soda or vinegar to remove any odours, especially for my towels. keep small organza bags with lavender inside your closet/drawers to keep the freshness (i’ve seen people also use scent beads but i don’t use those personally). fold them as soon as they’re dry and put it away to avoid wrinkly clothes. spot treat your stains as soon as possible.
you don’t need to get a manicure all the time. however, do maintain your nails by trimming them often, cuticle oiling and scrubbing underneath nails with a small brush in the shower.
build a skincare routine that works for your skin type. keep it minimal, you don’t need an excessive amount of products. cleanser, exfoliant, serum or moisturizer is more than enough, with the occasional spot treatment & mask. not necessary, but i also like shaving my face with a face razor. definitely not something for everyone, as some do claim it makes them break out! so keep that in mind. gua shua your face for lymphatic drainage and overall skin glow.
keep your home clean. a lot of people don’t realize that you can bring around lingering odours from your home onto you.
also, ladies, pay attention to the men you’re being intimate with. make sure they practice good hygiene themselves (this applies for everyone really!). after intimacy, make sure to clean yourself off well too. your ph will thank you. if you’re concerned that your ph levels are off, speak with your gyno/doctor!
note that these tips aren’t for everyone and to follow with your discretion. 🫶🏻
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actually, other useful tips for kiwis since we’re going into yet another shitty winter:
• vinegar is more effective at killing mold than bleach. use white vinegar to get rid of mold in your shitty housing and kill off spores.
• you can also make baking soda paste with a little water, and this + spraying some vinegar and leaving for 5-10 minutes is also an elite way of cleaning surfaces
• don’t mix things like bleach and vinegar though or you are going to have a terrible time
• depending on how shitty your housing is + how overbearing your landlord is, look into caulking + wood sealants. sometimes you can get these things cheap and keeping the moisture out is always a good idea
• try to dry your windows when possible. some people get those water vacuum suck things but they seem expensive so we use ye olde hand towels. you can also spray windows with white vinegar and wash them down to keep the sneaky mold away
• also check under your sinks, especially with shitty piping and connections bc not only are leaks are bad, suddenly you’ll find you have a pet colony of black mold. also check any laundry cupboards.
• putting a spoonful or two of baking soda down the drain followed by some white vinegar and leaving for 10 mins and then rinsing - this will help clear your drain pipes. using commercial drain cleaners can burn a hole in your shitty piping and your landlord will be pissed.
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Chocolate Chip Muffins
Makes 12 muffins
This recipe makes soft, moist, and fluffy muffins that are filled with chocolate chips.
Ingredients
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup oil (canola was used)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Directions
Line a muffin tray with 12 paper liners.
In a large mixing bowl add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips. Whisk them to combine. Set aside.
In a medium bowl combine the oil, sugar, eggs, milk, and vanilla. Carefully add the liquid ingredients to the flour mixture bowl. Gently fold them together until just combined.
Preheat the oven to 425°.
Put the batter equally into the muffin tray and bake for 5 minutes. Then reduce the oven temperature to 375° and continue baking for another 12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Overbaking can cause dryness.
Let them cool in the muffin tray for about 5 minutes then put them on a wire rack to finish cooling off or eat them while they are warm.
Notes:
Ovens vary in temperature. An oven thermometer would come in handy.
If you forgot to let your eggs warm to room temperature simply put them in a bowl of warm water.
If you need buttermilk but don’t have it on hand simply add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and fill the rest of the cup with milk.
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Cooking:
Too Salty
For soup dishes, dilute with water. Add a raw cut potato while cooking to absorb salts.
Add acidity with white wine vinegar or lemon.
Soak uncooked meats that are too salty in water for 2 hours.
Add a creamy component like avocado, sour cream, or heavy cream, if possible.
Too Spicy
Add dairy like sour cream, mayo, or plain yogurt.
Add some texture like rice or quinoa. Add a little sugar.
Stir in a tablespoon of nut butter.
Add more of the non-spicy ingredients included in the recipe.
Too Sweet
Add lemon or lime juice to balance sugar.
Add fats, such as olive oil or avocado.
Do NOT add salt.
Too Sour
Add a bit of honey or sugar to dishes with excessive vinegar.
Add chopped carrots to overly acidic sauces.
Poor Searing
You may be flipping the meat too soon or too often. It is ready to flip when your spatula slides underneath easily.
Make sure the pan is hot enough before adding meat. Wait for oil to ripple. Medium to medium-high quickly cooks the outside while sealing in moisture.
Food is Soggy or Doesn't Brown
Overcrowding a pan prevents steam from escaping and increases moisture. Make sure there is no overlapping.
Deep-Fried Food Too Greasy
Make sure the frying oil is heated to between 325 and 400 degrees. Hotter oil repels water.
Frying in smaller batches helps maintain hot oil temperature.
Rubbery Hard-Boiled Eggs
Immediately submerge cooked eggs in cold water to halt the cooking process.
Overcooked or Soggy Pasta
Heat oil in a large shallow pan and add drained pasta.
Add plenty of salt to the water. This helps prevent sogginess by roughing up the surface.
Baking:
Uneven Cake
Wrap Bake-Even strips around the pan, or make your own – cut a towel into strips, soak in water, and tie around pan.
With a clean paper towel, gently push down on the raised top of a baked cake while still hot. oven. syrup.
If top of cake is cracked, carefully slice it off with a serrated bread knife.
If cake is tasty but too crumbly, try making a trifle by layering cake pieces in a deep bowl with whipped cream and fruit.
Cracked Layer Cake
Cracks in cakes are usually caused by a too-hot
Dry Cake
Poke holes in the top and brush with simple sugar
Not Baking Evenly
Make sure dough is rolled and distributed evenly.
Check if oven temperature is accurate with an oven thermometer.
Test for hot spots. Toast slices of bread in the middle of the rack and note more toasted areas. Avoid these spots or rotate pans while baking.
Cookies Spread Too Much
Let butter soften to room temperature for about an hour. Don't microwave.
Place eggs in warm water for 10 minutes to reach room temperature.
Make sure baking powder and soda are fresh and active.
Chill the dough before baking.
Weird Texture
Sift flour to aerate it out for consistent measurements. Level with the flat edge of a knife.
Use the right kind of measuring cup for liquid and dry ingredients.
Egg Whites Won't Fluff
Use room temperature eggs.
Use a copper, stainless steel, or glass bowl and dry mixers.
Whip at high speed until stiff peaks form and stay when you lift beater out of the bowl.
Sunken Baked Goods
Put batter in the oven as soon as it is ready.
Do NOT open the oven door while baking.
Make sure you use the right amount of rising agent.
Too Firm and Chewy
Avoid over mixing the dough or cranking up the speed of your mixer.
Mix wet ingredients first, then add dry ingredients. This prevents the over development of gluten.
Cookies Harden After Cooling
Make sure oven temperature is accurate with oven thermometer.
If using a dark cookie sheet, reduce temperature by 25°F.
Grease cookie sheets sparingly, or use parchment
Storage Changed Cookie Consistency
Always cool cookies completely before storing.
Don't combine crisp and soft cookies in the same container.
Store in airtight containers.
Store soft cookies with apple wedge to retain moisture.
"Re-crisp" crisp cookies by baking at 300°F for five minutes and cool on rack.
Don't refrigerate cookies unless they have a cream or custard filling. paper.
Melted Chocolate Clumping
Add a small amount of vegetable oil and stir.
Follow To Explore The Foodie In You
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Baking Powder or Baking Soda in Bread
Baking soda and baking powder are essential for lifting quick breads in the oven. They give breads their fluffy, porous texture. But should you use baking powder or baking soda for your next recipe? Are they interchangeable? Let’s take a look at the difference between the two and how they affect your quick bread.
A Closer Look at Baking Soda
Baking soda is the common name for the chemical leavener sodium bicarbonate. It has a variety of uses from cleaning clothes to easing heartburn to treating bug bites. When combined with an acidic ingredient, baking soda produces a lot of carbon dioxide gas bubbles.
If you add baking soda to a quick bread, the gas bubbles it releases into the batter lifts your bread. When the combination of baking soda and acid combines with heat, proteins in the batter (like eggs) turn rigid. The rigid structure traps the gas and results in a light, fluffy texture. This reaction happens fast and weakens over time. As a result, you should only mix your baking soda into your batter right before you put your bread in the oven.
Baking soda is about 3 to 4 times stronger than baking powder, but only when combined with an acidic ingredient. Without an acid to neutralize, leftover baking soda in your bread will taste metallic and soapy. Consequently, baking soda works best in recipes that use acidic ingredients such as buttermilk, yogurt, lemon juice, cream of tartar, or vinegar.
Not sure how much baking soda to add to your recipes? As a general rule, aim for 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda for every 1 cup of flour.
A Closer Look at Baking Powder
Baking powder uses baking soda has its key ingredient. Many baking powder brands combine sodium bicarbonate with an acidic component (such as cream of tartar) and a starch component (such as cornstarch).
As with baking soda, baking powder also releases gas bubbles into your quick bread, giving it a softer, fluffier texture in the oven. But because baking powder already has an acid to react with, you don’t need to worry about including molasses, cocoa powder, applesauce, or honey to your quick bread recipe to ensure a proper rise.
Not sure how much baking soda to add to your recipes? As a general rule, aim for 1 teaspoon of baking soda for every 1 cup of flour.
What About Double-Acting Baking Powder?
In the past, stores sold two types of baking powder: single acting and double acting. However, double-acting baking powder has long since replaced single-acting products, and you won’t likely find single-acting baking powder on the shelves anymore.
Essentially, double-acting baking powder has two reactions that produce gas. The first reaction occurs whenever dry baking powder combines with a wet ingredient. To maximize the lifting that occurs during this first reaction, you need to add baking powder at the end of your mixing stage and quickly finish your bread.
The second reaction that produces gas occurs when baking powder has access to moisture and heat. Consequently, your bread will still rise in the oven even if you don’t fully capitalize on that first reaction.
Can You Substitute One for the Other?
If you’ve run out of baking powder or baking soda, you could potentially substitute one for the other. However, they are not equal in strength or behave exactly the same, so you’ll have to exercise a bit of caution. Do not assume they are interchangeable.
Using Baking Powder Instead of Baking Soda?
For every teaspoon of baking soda in a recipe, triple the amount of baking powder you use.
1 Teaspoon of Baking Soda = 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder.
And because baking powder has quite a bit of sodium, you’ll need to cut the salt in your recipe by half.
Using Baking Soda Instead of Baking Powder?
You can make your own baking powder if you have baking soda, cream of tartar, and cornstarch.
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder = 1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda + 1/2 Teaspoon Cream of Tartar + 1/4 Teaspoon Cornstarch
Don’t have cream of tartar? You can still make a baking powder substitute so long as you have an acidic ingredient.
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder = 1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda +1 Teaspoon White Vinegar (or 1 Teaspoon of Lemon Juice)
Keep in mind that white vinegar or lemon juice can affect the flavor of your food, so you may need an extra tablespoon or two of sugar to compensate.
Want to Learn More?
This post only covers part of what I shared on BreadbytheHour.com. If you want to learn about when to use just baking soda or just baking powder, or if you want to know whether to mix these ingredients with yeast, stop by and read my latest post "Baking Powder or Baking Soda in Bread."
#bread#bread recipes#bake from scratch#baking soda#baking powder#baking soda or baking powder#leaveners#helpful baking tips
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Recipe: The Greatest Rhubarb Cake in the World
Ingredients:
All-Purpose Flour – 1 cup
Brown Sugar – 5/8 cup (you always halve the recipe because you don’t have a 9x13” pan)
Baking Soda – ½ teaspoon
Salt – ¼ teaspoon
1 Egg (last one of the week, taken from today’s breakfast), beaten
Sour Cream – ½ cup
Rhubarb – Five bucks from the Farmer’s Markets’ worth, with the caveat being that I have no idea if that’s a good deal or not, washed and diced*
*Tip: when you take the rhubarb out of the fridge, take a moment to try to recall how many weeks ago it was that you bought it, and briefly consider looking up how to tell if rhubarb’s gone bad, but ultimately decide against it because it looks and smells fine enough. Once it’s baked into a cake, no-one will be able to tell that it went a little squishy.
Directions:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350degrees. Realize that you have too much rhubarb. You always just use whatever you’ve got, and it usually works out to a half-cup more than the scaled-down recipe suggests, but that’s fine, you like it extra rhubarb-y. You could always freeze some for later, but you find the texture always turns out a little weird when you use frozen vs. fresh. Besides, there’s not enough for a whole other cake anyway.
Step 2: Revise the scale of the recipe. Bring it up to 2/3 of the original instead of just half. This invites its own problems, though, because you now need another 1/3 of an egg. The only other egg in the kitchen is in a 10” cast-iron skillet on the top-left burner of the stove, its split yolk already turning pale yellow. Look up egg substitutes on your phone. Find a listacle on a cooking blog that is mostly filled with things you don’t have, but two entries catch your attention.
The First: vinegar and baking soda, two things that you do have, though a lack of chemical reaction from the baking soda would confirm that you’ve had that box in your fridge for way to long,
And the Second: Applesauce.
Step 3: Okay. You can make this work. Now, you don’t have any applesauce on hand, but you do have a lot of rhubarb. Now, you’re pretty sure you have to boil the apples to make apple sauce and you don’t really have that kind of time, but applesauce is basically just liquefied apples with a bit of extra fruit pulp. Use the weird little analog food-processor that you got at the liquidation warehouse to shred the extra rhubarb into a sort of paste. Okay, this might work.
Step 3.1: Your bagel is finished in the toaster, slather on the last 6th of cream-cheese and make a little sandwich with the fried egg. You didn’t realize how hungry you were until now – you forgot dinner last night – but you can’t get too greedy. Take a bite whenever you have a spare moment.
Step 4: Mix the flour (now 1 1/3 cup), sugar (now 5/6 cup), baking soda (now 2/3 teaspoon) and salt (now 1/3 teaspoon) in a large bowl. Make sure to break apart any clumps with a fork, and there will be a lot of them. You’ve had this same bag of brown sugar for how long, exactly? At least you had the good sense to soak that little clay teddy-bear and stick it in there overnight.
Step 5: Mix in the egg (still 1 egg), sour cream (now 2/3 cup), and rhubarb pulp (1 tablespoon) until crumbly. It’ll end up looking more like a dough than a cake batter. At some point it’ll become clear that the wooden spoon you’re using just isn’t going to cut it. Take an extra-big bite from your bagel – you’ll need all the extra energy you can get, and it’ll be a while before your hands are clean. Stick your hands right in there, you filthy animal.
Step 6: Realize there still isn’t enough moisture. Add a 1-2 tablespoons of water.
Step 7: It still doesn’t feel quite right. Throw in the rest of the rhubarb pulp (approx. 3-4 tablespoons)
Step 8: Fold in the diced rhubarb. The texture doesn’t seem too bad, and it tastes decent as well. Eat the last couple bites of your bagel. It’ll be cold by now.
Step 9: Butter the cake pan since you haven’t already, and pour the dough/batter into it. Bake for 45 minutes and check with a toothpick. It comes out clean but you still don’t quite trust it. Give it another five in the oven. Cover with a dishtowel.
Step 10: Remember you’re meeting a friend to go on a hike soon. Message them and say you might be a little late. It’s okay though, they slept in anyway. Invite them over for cake afterwards.
Serve slightly warm, with chiselled slivers of vanilla ice cream and good company.
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hello hi if you don't know about this then feel free to just laugh at my misfortune BUT. i have a cleaning-related question.
have you done much research on carpet stains? my dumbass carried a mug of coffee up the stairs and missed a step and spilled a bit in a terribly obvious spot on the carpet. i blotted it up with water & paper towel. and then literally lay on the ground rubbing a paper towel and resolve spray on the spot but it's still there 😭 what would you have done bro
Noooo! I’m sorry that happened 😭 Vinegar and baking soda and some very vigorous pressing on the spot may help.
I’m guessing you probably don’t have a carpet cleaner so that’s the best i can think of currently.
If you want the smell to be more mild, mix the vinegar with water or some non-coloured multipurpose cleaner. (Multi-purpose cleaner will dull the smell more)
I say non-coloured because colour will probably just stain more 🤡
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Insult to Injury: The Director’s Cut — Chapter 03 [Revised]
This chapter contains commissioned artwork by the one and only @cavalieredispade. Thanks a million!
III: I WOULD NOT COMPLAIN OF MY WOUNDED HEART
Each December, on their wedding anniversary, Madeleine’s parents flew out to Tangier and booked the same honeymoon suite in L’Americain. Madeleine’s earliest memory of her mother was in that room; sitting by the open window to read, or have a cigarette, while Madeleine wandered around the room finding ways to entertain herself.
The rest of the year, she spent growing up in a two-storey cabin on the shore of Lake Altaussee, enshrouded by trees and limestone mountains. Her father’s occupation kept him abroad for lengthy stretches of time. Her mother stayed home a lot. She had blonde hair that was brittle to touch. Get too close and she smelled like smoke beneath her favourite perfume. Her arms and legs were always bruised because she had trouble getting out of bed, out of chairs, without falling or bumping into furniture. Madeleine could not remember seeing her eat much. Just taking naps throughout the day to stave off headaches. The only thing that ever seemed to put her at ease was her medicine, which Madeleine couldn’t administer in front of the maid, or her father.
Madeleine tried it only once. She spat it back into the glass with a poorly-disguised grimace. While her mother chuckled, Madeleine had to get up and fill a new glass for her mother. She heard her coughing on the way back, wet, congealed with mucous. Madeleine set the fresh glass down and waited for her to stop.
It tastes gross.
Her mother smiled. “It tastes bad because it’s medicine. You shouldn’t be drinking it, since you are healthy. Once you get to be my age, you will understand why.”
Her mother coughed a lot because she didn’t like to open the windows. She said it was just to prevent the cold air from getting in in, or hot air getting out. Besides, if Madeleine were uncomfortable she could always go outside.
Madeleine said, why do you drink it?
“Because I’m sick right now. Why don’t you go upstairs and play?”
By then, Madeleine was old enough to decipher the surgeon’s warning on the back of the bottle. Just like the gun under the cabinet, the magazine with five rounds past the legal capcity, her father’s choice in colleagues, her mother’s sickness, there were things you did and didn’t talk about.
As her mother began drinking more heavily, Madeleine would go to school or into the village with the bodyguard of the week. It must be lonely for her, sitting at home all day. Madeleine would spend some time with her mother if she was awake, just talking about the day, and her mother would sit and nod along as if she were still dreaming.
Sometimes she would drink too much and make herself sick. The maid showed Madeleine how to get stains out of the upholstery by diluting white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide with equal parts tap water. Not to combine vinegar and peroxide, creating peracetic acid which was an irritant. Cornstarch or baking soda to deodorize.
“If you want to do it properly, she said, mix ten ounces of three percent hydrogen peroxide, three tablespoons of baking soda, and two drops of dish-washing detergent. Mix until the baking soda is dissolved.
“Pre-test the upholstery by applying the cleaner in an inconspicuous place. Allow it to dry. If the fabric does not change color, spray the stain and allow the cleaner to work for an hour. If the stain is not gone, repeat the process.
“Rinse the cleaning solution from the area by dabbing with a damp cloth and blotting with a dry towel. Over time, detergent residue will attract dirt. The hydrogen peroxide could bleach the upholstery and weaken the fibers of the fabric. Then, you have to call a professional cleaner.”
Then, one day, the maid’s services were no longer required. There was no warning. Her mother said something about some of her jewelery missing, how you couldn't trust a lot of people. Madeleine nodded along. She was a very good listener.
The year Madeleine turned ten, a week away from her parent’s anniversary, she was home for Christmas break. She woke up a little earlier than usual because she was still accustomed to her regular schedule. She had a couple hours before she walked into town. She got dressed and came downstairs to fix herself breakfast. Her mother was sitting upright on the couch, in the same position as last night. Sometimes she fell asleep like that. Passing by, the acridly sweet smell of vomit permeated the air. She’d have to clean that up first.
In between the living room and kitchen Madeleine stepped on something small and crunchy. Her mother’s painkillers were scattered across the wood floor. She walked over to check on her mother, who was staring out the window without seeing. She didn’t respond when Madeleine touched her shoulder. Then shook her lightly. Called her name twice.
She noticed the half-empty glass, the upturned bottle of medication on the table. Her mother’s breathing, laboured. The bodyguard came in the house which her parents would never permit. He told Madeleine to get her things.
Madeleine’s father came home early in the morning. He explained that her mother took enough sedatives to make herself very sick, but nothing more. One of his most trusted associates, Dr. Vogel, would come here to make sure she was stabilised. In the meantime, he invited Madeleine alone to Morocco. To see more of the world, as he put it. Her mother needed time to recover.
Two days later in the lobby of L’Americain her father was chatting with the attendant behind the desk. He mentioned his wife (sick, again, poor thing) and daughter (just turned ten last year), a bit more delicate in their sensibilities. Her father led her upstairs to their room.
Madeleine set her own luggage down in a shady corner. The fine-cut curtains didn’t do much to stop the sunlight beaming in, the dry air. Madeleine went to the bathroom and checked her face. The white sleeveless cardigan looked elegant, but come evening she would have pink patches on the crown of her head, bare arms, tip of her nose. In a few days they’d start peeling. Madeleine made sure her hands were clean before tending to her face, which was still smarting. She took her time patting dry with the towel. She came back and her father was looking at the empty wall opposite the master bed.
“She never really liked coming here,” he said. “She just wanted an excuse to drink.”
Why did she make herself sick?
“She’s angry with me. Well, I haven’t been home as often as I should. There’s only so much I can do, now that she has gotten so ill.”
Does she hate me?
Her father stopped. The lines in his face accentuated by his frown. “She’s in a lot of pain. When people get very upset, they tend to say things they don’t mean. However she chooses to deal with that pain is her decision, but it is not your fault. Don’t let her convince you otherwise.”
Madeleine nodded. Her father’s hand smoothed her hair back; she stepped away, resisting the temptation to massage her sunburnt scalp.
He said, “You’ll have to change before dinner.”
Madeleine, biting the inside of her cheek, said, I know, dad. Frowning, she said, I don’t have to talk to Mr. Le Chiffre at dinner, do I?
“He is my business partner. You keep your opinions to yourself.”
Yes, dad.
Her father looked at her a long moment, then shook his head. “Here, you can’t go anywhere with a burnt face.” He motioned her over to the bathroom and started opening drawers, retrieving a tube of antimicrobial ointment next to the shaving cream. “There’s a hand-mirror as well, if you miss a spot. Just put it back when you’re finished.”
Okay. Thank you.
He smiled. Madeleine smiled back, even though her face hurt.
⁂
On the drive to the Paris-Est, Madeleine’s feelings dissipated into grudging acceptance of her situation. An independent contractor looking for ransom would not understand the significance of the name SPECTRE, nor refer to her father by his title of The Pale King. Neither Safin nor his associate bore the metal ring she associated with the black emblem on her father’s letters—from work, he would always preface to her mother’s scowl—or the scant, unnamed ones that began showing up at Aunt Droit’s house the summer she turned eighteen.
She looked at the back of Safin’s head and said, “You work for my father?”
“I was contracted.”
Madeleine scowled at nothing in particular. “I didn’t know he still hired men like you.”
“He does not usually employ those outside of his circle.”
Exiting the car, boarding the train, she already had her tickets in first-class. Safin took a seat adjacent to her, with the end of the car in his line of sight. His associate was out of sight, on the other end.
En-route, they’d go from Paris-Est to Strasbourg, then Basel, then arrive in Zürich; a four-hour commute, assuming no complications. She could sit and refuse to talk like an insolent child, or she could take a moment to dissect her only source of information.
Objectively, she placed him somewhere in his early-to-mid-thirties. Average height. Not as physically imposing as his colleague, but still in excellent shape. He had a soft face which made him look younger, despite the scarring. The backs of his hands were damaged to a lesser extent than his face and throat. A subtle tension persisted around the shoulders—back in her residency years, she’d observed the same tendency in men who came from prisons.
The attendant walked over smelling like artificial vanilla, and enquired if they would need anything. A rush of saliva flooded Madeleine’s mouth as before vomiting. She shook her head.
“Everything’s fine, thank you,” said Safin.
The attendant continued down the aisle. Madeleine exhaled. Sunlight beamed on the side of her head, warming her past the point of languid ease. All she had was the handbag at her feet; burner phone, wallet, spare cosmetics, and a custom holster for a gun she hadn’t touched since purchasing, years ago. Still in the safe, if it hadn’t been confiscated by forensics or whomever broke into her apartment.
Madeleine relaxed her shoulders. Itching to get out of her head and into someone else’s for a change, she said, “I never collected my luggage from the airport, you know. I don’t have much on me.”
“Your personal affairs have been accounted for.”
A well-dressed thug was still a thug. Now she was stuck with him for the rest of the commute. Madeleine couldn’t stand to sit.
“Where do you think you’re going?” asked Safin without looking up.
“Dining car. I haven’t eaten since this morning.”
Safin made eye-contact with the associate by the door and gave a slight nod; Primo got up and followed her down two car lengths. Madeleine took a seat at one of the tables. Primo was by the door again. He didn't order anything. The other passengers, the server, became non-entities. Ordinary civilians. Two strangers on a commute. She shouldn't stare diffidently around as if waiting for the other shoe to drop. Focus on having a quiet meal. She paid in cash. Tipped ten percent.
When she returned to her seat, Safin said, “Trouble?”
“Of course not.”
Safin glanced down the end of the train. “Very good.”
From Basel to Zürich, they were on the upper level of the SBB train, seated at a booth. Safin was closest to the aisle and by extension, the exit. Madeleine, in a spot by the booth corner, was getting a little sick of this charade. He wasn't much for conversation, and the confines of her own head were starting to wear on her. He was allotting her space but less visibility, like putting blinders on a horse. If this situation were truly dangerous, they wouldn’t be travelling by train in the first place. Too many possibilities for interception.
The passing attendant didn’t address her beyond a glance and a small, terse smile. Probably just wanted to get to the end of the shift. Or maybe it was just her resting bitch face. She was simply run-down by the events of this morning. Operating on fumes. A dangerous way to live, even with someone else looking over your shoulder. Just like her father, sending a bodyguard-slash-operative in lieu of explanation.
“Dr. Swann,” said Safin, “is there a reason you keep looking over at the door?”
It was the first thing he’d said to her in a while. “I was just thinking. My father never mentioned any property in Zürich.”
“Not property. It’s a penthouse. You have a room set up already. I’ll stay out of your way.”
Madeleine nodded. Parsing over his sentence in her head a few more times. She looked up. “You have a reservation?”
“Only in the interest of your protection.”
Madeleine stared at him. Scoffed. “This is ridiculous. I haven't had a problem in years. He still treats me as if I am indebted.”
“You took his money.”
Madeleine stared at him in disbelief. “I took it to get through university, which I could never have afforded on my own. I never asked for anything beyond what he deigned to offer.”
Safin’s mouth thinned.
“Now you don’t want to talk? Fine. Since you obviously have nothing better to do than humour me, there is something I’ve been meaning to ask. What, exactly, were you planning to do if I walked away? I understand you have your method of operations, but really. The middle of a police station?” Safin said nothing. “I guess even men like you have to get your kicks. It's not every day you get to lead someone at gunpoint—”
“Are you finished?”
His indifferent tone didn't match the look on his face. Before she went to Oxford, she would have never talked to a close-protection officer this way. Madeleine averted her eyes. She could feel him studying her over the edge of the sunglasses. He turned his head in her direction, said, “You dislike guns.”
“I hate them.”
“May I ask why?”
“When I was a little girl, a man came to the house looking for my father. He found me instead. He got very angry when I wouldn’t tell him where my father had gone, so, I defended myself.” She shrugged her shoulders. “That’s why.”
⁂
After getting off at the station it was only a short drive into the Wollishofen district. The hotel entrance flanked by a pair of men in suits. One of them nodded to Safin before bidding them entry.
The penthouse was a step above the apartment in France. Hardwood floors. Everything polished. Individual climate control, central heating and IDD telephone. The kitchenware looked new. Her room was already set-up for her. A gilded dresser by the bed. Pillow-top mattress. The marble bathroom adjacent, complete with a hairdryer, dressing gowns and towels. Twin lamps flanked the bed. Engraved into the ivory base of each lamp was the shape of a dragon, twisted in upon itself.
Hardly her father’s style, or to her own tastes, for that matter. He probably picked this establishment because it was close to where he worked. Running business meetings over in Schwyz. He'd always been pragmatic when it came to his family and occupation.
The suitcase at the foot of the bed called her attention. Opening it, she found the clothes she’d left in Arnaud’s apartment. She parsed through the fabric. Some of these, she hadn’t worn in a season or two. Going out more often. Getting compliments at work, out-and-about, trying to smile.
At the bottom of the suitcase, she felt something heavy and cold underneath her folded dress shirt. The Glock 43 in her hands, complete with a spare box of ammunition. Manilla envelope containing old birth certificates and copies of all her current information, plus forged papers. Everything from the safe. A level of attentiveness hovering between convenience and invasion.
She went over to the set of glass doors leading out to the balcony, and drew the curtains shut. Unpacking the rest of her belongings, she couldn’t hope to blend in wearing anything she’d taken to Conakry. She was not strapped for cash, and still had plenty of money set aside in a Swiss account—for a day just like this one. The type of life insurance most people her age could never afford, and the ones below her tax bracket would kill for.
Despite occupying an apartment together, the death of Arnaud had the same emotional weight as a newspaper obituary. An hour at most for sympathetic grief, then annoyance for the persistence of that grief. All this time, carving out an altruistic identity through deeds. Spending the rest of her life making up for inherited sins. Living with people for the sake of social convenience.
Taking comfort every month her father failed to acknowledge her, in this façade of a charmed life. Holding onto that impossible dream until karma caught up. Leaving behind nothing of herself, beyond the lives she might touch along the way. Taking perverse pride in the impossibility of knowing an enigma. Each time, the quiet of each new office, the empty apartment, became a little more encompassing.
She was going to be here a week. She would have plenty of time to recuperate. And heaven forbid, enjoy herself for once. She was not going to sit here and cower like she was under house arrest.
Coming into the living area, she caught sight of Safin and his associate.
“The room is fine,” she began, “but, if I’m going to be here a week I’ll need some things in the morning.” Safin held her gaze in lieu of speech. “Just clothes. I don't want to walk around in things I wore a week ago.”
Surely, he would rebuke her. Call her out as a trust-fund. She had given him every right. He levelled with her and said,
“Once we work out an itinerary, that shouldn’t be an issue.”
⁂
That night she buried herself under the soft blankets. Dreamless sleep the most precious amenity of all. If she started taking pills she’d draw attention to herself. She dreamed she was back in her childhood bedroom when her mother called from downstairs. Madeleine checked the rooms and couldn’t find her mother anywhere. Someone she didn’t know, standing in the hall that led to the living room. She said,
Où est ma mère?
The man turned. He was dressed in a jet-black suit.
Laissez-moi passer. J’ai besoin de parler.
The man motioned to the living room with a lanky arm. "Elle vous attend."
With each step the hall increased a little further and further. Living room should only be ten steps away, not fifteen. Not twenty. When she looked back the man was elsewhere. The living room was empty. On the sofa was a large, red stain. Her mother must have spilt the wine.
The shock of cold liquid percolating her socks. Someone had tracked water into the house.
She followed the trail into the kitchen. A different man hunched over the sink, in a white coat and snowpants. A rifle slung around his shoulder, at his hip. Black gloves. Black boots still damp with melted snow.
Before she could say a word he grabbed the rifle and turned to aim at her with mechanical precision. Muscle memory.
"You aren’t supposed to be here." His accent wasn’t Austrian, or French. Garbled through the blood trickling into his mouth, under his tongue. "Get out, and I’ll forget about this."
There was a hole in his jaw the size of a 9×19mm Parabellum. Nine rounds loaded into her father’s Beretta 92S, under the cabinet with the bleach.
She explained in a high voice how the stain in the living room needed cleaning. Her mother would be very upset if she didn’t. She just needed to get to the cabinet for a moment, please.
His teeth bared, stained red. Finger on the trigger. "I won’t ask again."
She opened her mouth and screamed, maman, run—
Two shots. Impact tearing through her body without regard for gravity. Looking down in time to see blood spattered across the hardwood floor. Brain matter and bone fragments against a hot car window.
She plunged her hands into herself. Clawing away the sheets. Unbroken skin, sheened in sweat. Her eyes flooded with tears as she sat up and began to rock herself back to stability. Waiting for the initial swell of terror to pass, as it always did. Regulating her breathing. Just a trauma response. Sitting still, unsure if it was midnight or five in the morning.
Pressing her face into her palms. A dull throbbing behind her eyes, in the base of her skull. About to get up when she heard the footsteps. Movement from the hall towards the living room. A few seconds later, Safin’s voice, indistinct. She couldn’t make out what he was saying at first. Something in Russian. Orders from his employer, most likely.
And what must they think of her? Another privileged idiot, living in a bubble. Disrespectful to her father and his syndicate. Hypocritical.
She contemplated feigning sleep. The warmth of the sheets was too cloying. Her phone read 06:21. Still too early for her to be awake. She stood up, barefoot on hardwood, creeping over to the balcony. Reaching out to touch the pane. Cool glass kissing her naked palm. In two weeks it would be October. Two months from now, the ground would be laden with snow. The ocean grey and still.
Opening the door. Stepping out onto the balcony, gripping the rail. Taking fresh air into her lungs until the soles of her feet smarted. Hardly any boats. Just her and the horizon and the night sky.
Stumbling into the bathroom when she couldn't bear the cold any longer. Bags under her eyes more pronounced than the day before. Madeleine had a shower, trying to piece together the dream, hazier than in her youth. Visceral details heightened by recent exposure. An intimation of childhood memories depicted in abstract. She shook it off, dressing for the day. It was only a dream.
Before she left the room she caught the silvery glint in her peripherals. The old television reflecting the light from outside. Combing around the drawers for a remote. She clicked it on. Quickly hit the mute button. Squinting at the harsh colours that only reignited her headache. Flitting through channels for news. Poring over the headlines. Not a word about the MSF.
She sat there for a while letting the colours wash over the room. Clicked it off and went downstairs to have breakfast.
Safin, hovering by the glass doors in the living-room area overlooking the ocean front, was dressed as if for another commute. “Dr. Swann,” he greeted.
She rifled through the pantry and found it stocked. Looking for some cereal, something basic—catching briefly on the bottle of liquor. Madeleine took the cereal, fixed herself a bowl and some coffee. Still had a headache. Light breakfast. Plus, the caffeine would dehydrate her.
“I don’t suppose this safehouse has any painkillers?” Safin looked over. She was already going through cabinets. “It’s my head. Just the weather.” She met his gaze with more confidence than she could back up. Safin’s attention shifted to the side of her head.
“On your right.”
She took two with her coffee. Ate in silence. Waiting a week in the hope her father might have an excuse was a truly miserable proposition. What would she say? Hello, Papa. I’m still alive. Did you pick this location to remind me of your home in Austria?
Well, one thing at a time.
“Who do I speak to when I’m ready to leave?”
In lieu of a response, Safin glanced over at his associate.
⁂
She couldn’t travel beyond Zürich’s aptly-named canton. She could not contact anyone else outside of SFT to confer information about her father’s whereabouts, or anything else for that matter. Aside from that she was free to go wherever she liked within the constraints of the itinerary.
First, clothing. That took her to Bottega Veneta. In Flagranti’s Business Acumen playing over the intercom. Madeleine’s hackles raised. The painkillers in effect. Caffeine wearing off. She started parsing out signs. She hadn’t really thought about what she needed beyond the vague idea of change. Starting fresh. So accustomed to the life of a disconnected middle-class that its opposite became seductive. Perusing the aisles in a daze. Selecting whatever pulled at her heart in a perverse reminder of home. Nothing too extravagant. A new raincoat and a couple pairs of shoes. Navy scarf for the winter months. Spare lipstick. A few more shirts and dress pants in monochrome. Spare underwear, socks.
Spent an hour trying it all on. Avoiding the eyes of the woman in the glass. She didn’t feel any different. The raincoat was too dark. She might as well be attending a funeral. She already had a reputation for being severe. What did it matter? She was always severe and the rest of the world could just bite the bullet.
The associate was waiting, outside. Probably didn’t give a damn about her, either way. She wasn’t about to humanise him beyond his occupation. They made brief eye-contact. Unimportant banter between her and the cashier during the transaction. Associate was taking her bags. Walking with her over rain-slicked asphalt. Back into the car. The beat of raindrops on the window lulling her into a false sense of security.
Snapping herself out of it when the car stopped. Treading up the stairs, down the hall. Pulling old clothes out of drawers, off hangers. Substituting her purchased goods. It wasn’t enough to fill the wardrobe, but she would have time to buy new clothes. Set aside the old stuff to be dealt with.
Each time she returned to the safehouse, there were men checking over everything. Protocol, on top of all the scrutiny.
“I don’t want them in my room when I come in,” she told the associate. “Around the premises, and they can check the cars if it is necessary. If they must check all the rooms, fine, I just don’t want to see it.”
Childish to her own ears. Too beaten-down to think better of it. The associate just said, “Talk to Safin about it.” He walked out of the room without looking back.
That evening, Safin was lingering around the living room. He'd made himself tea on the stove. Without looking up he said, "I hear you are feeling crowded?"
Madeleine scowled. "He told you about that?"
"That's all right." He paused. "I'll accompany you."
The next few days were a tolerable blur. Wandering through Bahnhofstrasse. The Beyer Clock and Watch Museum. Next day, the Museum of Graphic Design for ten francs. Bellevue Square. Sattel-Hochstuckli. The three hundred seventy four metre Skywalk. Dinner at the Mostelberg-Stübli. Home again, each time without incident.
On the job, Safin hardly said more than a couple words to get his point across. But he gave her no reason to acknowledge him beyond this, dissolving into the background noise until he was needed. At least they weren't glowering at each other.
Apart from this, he was not around except for very early in the mornings. At the safehouse he would acknowledge her in passing with a curt nod.
How much normalcy could she put up with before she broke down? She had no more power or relevance than the common man and the only difference was her awareness of futility.
Inevitable, perhaps, that her thoughts would stray back to the MSF. Conducting research on her own, in the mornings and evenings; parsing through official news sites on her laptop, then underground articles, statistics, and anything else she could scrounge up.
The Guinean military had been busy quelling unrest for the last week, but there were few details. Several key figures in the MSF were currently under investigation, tarnishing the reputation of the organisation. That stuck around the headlines, right next to some lesser story in the corner about various pharmaceutical companies cooperating in tandem with the Red Cross and clean MSF figures to ensure there was no repeat affliction throughout the rest of Africa. Madeleine didn’t see her face or any mention of a Psychosocial Unit mentioned anywhere.
By day four, it was all she could think about. She alternated between laying in bed and taking down notes from various news sources. She slept one hour. Shambling downstairs on a very shameful autopilot. No real appetite. Safin nowhere to be seen. It took all the energy she had just to stand. Maybe she could take a free-day if she was polite. He had already accomodated her other, silly demands. Moving over to the sofa. Slumping into it. Closing her eyes. Only for a second.
Sharp staccato of rifle fire tearing apart a wooden door. Gun in the cabinet, next to the bleach. Heavy footsteps on wood. On carpet. She’d never get there in time.
A gloved hand on her shoulder. Jerking awake with a guttural hitch.
“Dr. Swann?”
Face-to-face with the last person she wanted to justify herself to. She recovered her composure, averted her eyes. “I—I’m sorry. It was just a nightmare.”
“About your mission?”
He was still holding her shoulder. He didn’t need to restrain her. She was perfectly aware of her surroundings. “No. I’m not sure what. Anyway, it was only a dream.”
“Don’t insult my intelligence.” His grip tightened, causing her to flinch. “If a client came to you exhibiting these symptoms, what would you assume?”
Madeleine held her tongue.
“This is not the first time you have exhibited this behaviour. Mental or physical distress to trauma-related cues," he inclined his head, "an increased fight-or-flight response. Difficulty sleeping.”
“So, you can define post-traumatic stress disorder. It does not make you my analyst.” She brushed him aside, staring at her hands balled up on her knees. “Most of the time, I don’t remember my dreams.”
“That’s a strange thing, to not remember something so distressing.” An undertone to his voice that made her stomach clench. “Tell me, did you buy your way into passing your psychological evaluations?”
“Let me make one thing very clear to you,” said Madeleine, standing up to look him in the eyes, “I can accept that you are here to keep me alive. I’ll go along with your precautions, or whatever you think is necessary. Your personal opinions do not apply. If that is more than you can handle, I’ll simply find someone else.”
He said, very softly, "Are you threatening me, Dr. Swann?"
"Do you feel threatened?"
A flicker of some unfamiliar emotion trapped behind his reserved countenance. Tempered with the set of his jaw. He stepped back. “You aren’t leaving until you get some sleep.” Before she could answer, he turned and left her alone, confused.
⁂
For the next thirty six hours the SFT team confined her to the safehouse. Letting her out only to walk her around the halls for twenty minute intervals like a high-strung pet. She could take sleeping pills, though she was monitored. Her resentment outweighed by desperation to regain her agency.
Falling asleep due to exhaustion rather than effort. She woke up to daylight behind the curtains.
Safin was lurking about the living area when she came down. He didn’t say anything. Maybe she was going about this the wrong way.
“You’re an independent contractor?” Safin looked at her. “How long have you been operating?”
“Fourteen years. Our operations tend to stray away from the public eye. The situation in Conakry was an exception.”
Madeleine nodded primly. Still grasping for a conversation topic that wouldn’t completely sabotage her own intentions.
“I remember there was an incident in Bolivia, back in 2008. A water crisis." Safin was watching her out of his peripherals. "Dominic Greene, the famous entrepreneur, lost his life and the organisation he was courting shut down. But the gas explosion at the La Perla de las Dunas, that was all over the news. At the time it was deemed a political assault because several key members of the Bolivian military were rumoured to be involved.”
“Did they mention a man by name of Luiz Medrano?”
“Medrano. It's been a long time. I honestly don't recall.”
Safin nodded. “General Medrano, I should say. He cut a deal with Greene. Undisputed access to a seemingly useless piece of land in the Atacama Desert. It was, in fact, the site of an underground dam. Greene would have a monopoly over Bolivia’s water, and Medrano and his coup would seize control of the country.” A particularly cold smile crossed Safin’s face but didn’t reach his eyes. “Not all of their subordinates were loyal. Someone from the outside must have intercepted at the hotel. Even so, their claim over the dam might have stayed out of the public eye if not for the amount of military figures found complicit in that political handover.” He paused. “QUANTUM’s disbandment was not made public at the time. How would you know of this?”
Madeleine lowered her voice. “My father helped found it. Greene was one of his associates. I don’t think my father mentioned him to me more than twice in my life. He’d never let me see his shame directly. Just like what is happening now, in Conakry. You must know something, please. Is this another one of his deals? Why was I singled out?”
Safin drew breath, exhaled.
“You are concerned. That is natural. For your own good, forget about what happened in Guinea.”
A week ago Madeleine would’ve clung to her indignanation. “You expect me to ignore this? It isn't going away just because I'd like it to. All those people, their families are suffering.”
“You accepted the mission knowing that there was the possibility there would be casualties.” He looked over at her. “The situation escalated far beyond any one party’s control. There’s no sense in blaming yourself. You did the best you could.”
“Forgive me if I do not want to stand by and watch people suffer.”
“There is a difference between idealism and taking action. Just because you grew up wealthy, you don’t have to prove yourself to the rest of the world.”
"It’s always been important to me. It's not just wealth. I realise that I have a lot of advantages that other people around the world may not. The least I can do is help, however I can." Safin chuckled. "What’s so funny?"
"The resources required are hardly ever provided by charity. Access to agricultural tools. Clothing. Self-defence. Usually, it falls to monetary donations without any regard for politics or economic disparities. Your MSF is something of an exception."
"First of all, it's not my charity, I volunteer. And these changes don’t happen by simply talking about it. You need to organise first. Someone has to provide funding. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes you are dismissing.”
“The failure of the MSF to act indicates the organisation’s greater limitations. Not your own, or any one person's.”
“They’re supposed to be neutral.”
“What good did neutrality serve the civilians in hospital? The mining infrastructure?” said Safin coldly. “The MSF look weak, collaborating with the same men who keep these people in poverty, and future clients understand that no one is going to protect them.” He paused. “Why give your time to them?”
“That’s the trouble with men like you. You’re focused on the bigger picture. You don’t give a second thought to anyone else who might get caught up in the mess you thrust them into.”
“Good-will is useless when you are looking down the barrel of a gun. In the end they needed someone willing to work outside of their jurisdiction.” He glanced at Madeleine. “To keep the peace.”
Madeleine mulled over what he was saying. Studying his face. Too intricate to be leprosy or a burn wound. It couldn’t be an acid attack, as the structure of his face remained intact. Chemical, perhaps. It was a very distinctive type of scarification she’d read about once or twice, but never treated.
“Are you trying to diagnose me?” he said, turning to look at her directly. “You could just ask.”
Easy to read. She paused. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
The ice in his eyes dispersed into indifference. He shrugged. “It was a long time ago.” Cordial, but not openly genial. “Now that you're awake, I can tell you. There’s been a slight change of plans. Your father should be arriving later this evening.”
Madeleine exhaled. "Just my luck." Then she looked over at him. “Well, I suppose I've no reason to distrust you.”
“I’m just the messenger, Dr. Swann.”
Madeleine smiled. “Please, just call me Madeleine. I’m not working right now.”
He paused. “Madeleine.”
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How to make your own natural home cleaning products
Introduction
It is no secret that the chemicals used in commercial cleaning products can be quite harmful to both the environment and our health. But don’t worry - it is possible to make your own natural home cleaning products that are just as effective and don’t contain any hazardous materials. If you’re interested in learning how to make your own natural home cleaning products, this blog post is for you! We’ll go over the basics of what you need to know in order to get started and provide some recipes for natural home cleaning products that are easy to make and use.
Benefits of Natural Home Cleaning Products
There are several benefits to making your own natural home cleaning products. Not only do natural cleaning products contain fewer harsh chemicals than their commercial counterparts, but they can also be more effective at cleaning and deodorizing surfaces. Additionally, natural home cleaning products tend to be more affordable than their store-bought counterparts, and can be more easily customized to your specific needs.
What You Need to Know
Before you get started making your own natural cleaning products, there are a few things that you should know. Firstly, it is important to understand which ingredients are most effective in cleaning and deodorizing surfaces. Some of the most popular natural cleaning ingredients include vinegar, baking soda, lemons, and essential oils.
It is also important to understand the basics of proper cleaning techniques. For example, it is important to use the right amount of product for the job and to use the correct cleaning tools and materials. Additionally, it is important to know the safety measures that should be taken when using any cleaning product, including natural ones.
Recipes
Now that you know the basics of what you need to know in order to make your own natural home cleaning products, let’s get to the recipes! Here are a few easy and effective recipes for natural home cleaning products that you can make at home.
All-Purpose Cleaner
This all-purpose cleaner is great for cleaning and deodorizing any surface.
Ingredients:
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon baking soda
10 drops of tea tree oil
Instructions:
In a spray bottle, combine the vinegar, water, and baking soda.
Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients.
Add the tea tree oil, then shake the bottle again to mix.
Spray the mixture onto the surface that you want to clean, then wipe with a clean cloth.
Tub and Tile Cleaner
This tub and tile cleaner is perfect for removing soap scum and mildew.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
2 tablespoons liquid dish soap
10 drops of essential oil (optional)
Instructions:
In a bowl, combine the baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and liquid dish soap.
Mix the ingredients until a paste forms.
If desired, add the essential oil and mix again.
Apply the paste to the surface that you want to clean, then scrub with a sponge or brush.
Rinse with warm water and wipe clean with a cloth.
Window Cleaner
This window cleaner is perfect for cleaning windows and mirrors.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup white vinegar
2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol
2 cups water
10 drops of lemon essential oil (optional)
Instructions:
In a spray bottle, combine the vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and water.
Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients.
If desired, add the lemon essential oil and shake the bottle again to mix.
Spray the mixture onto the window or mirror, then wipe with a clean cloth.
Conclusion
Making your own natural home cleaning products is a great way to save money and stay green. With the right ingredients and knowledge, you can make your own natural cleaning products that are just as effective as their store-bought counterparts. We hope this blog post has given you some insight into the basics of natural home cleaning products and provided you with some easy recipes to get started. Happy cleaning!
#NaturalHomeCleaningProducts#BenefitsOfNaturalCleaning#DIYNaturalCleaningProducts#NaturalCleaningIngredients#MakingYourOwnCleaningProducts#CleaningTipsAndTricks#AllPurposeCleaner#TubAndTileCleaner#WindowCleaner#StayGreenAndSaveMoney
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HOW TO FIX A CLOGGED SINK
Got a sink that’s stubbornly clogged and driving you nuts? Don’t panic. We’ve all been there.
Whether it’s a slow drain or a complete blockage, dealing with a clogged sink can be a real headache.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the steps to get that sink flowing freely in no time.
Are you ready to say goodbye to standing water and hello to smooth draining?
Let’s get started.
WHAT CAUSES A CLOGGED SINK
Clogged drains and sinks are one of the most common plumbing problems. Pouring non-liquid things into the sink is the leading cause of clogged sinks.
Food scraps and grease waste are common items that cause kitchen sink clogs. If you dump food scraps into the sink instead of the bin, small scraps will wash away, and the larger ones will get deposited. With time, the scraps can build up and cause blockages.
Grease waste becomes solid at room temperature. Hence, this too can block your sink.
Hair, toothpaste, and soap buildup are the leading causes for the bathroom sink to get clogged.
Additionally, since the bathroom sink is heavily used, it’s more likely to undergo clogging.
STEPS TO FIX A CLOGGED KITCHEN SINK OR A BATHROOM SINK
If your sink is not draining, draining slowly, or releasing a bad odour it’s more likely clogged.
To unclog your sink, you must have basic knowledge of the sink parts and their functions. Now, don’t panic. I’ll explain everything you need to know. Just keep reading.
Kitchen sinks and bathroom sinks are almost similar, with some minor differences.
Kitchen sinks are connected to garbage disposals and dishwashers, while bathroom sinks involve faucets, drains, and stoppers. The stopper allows you to fill the sink with water.
Most sinks have a curved pipe under them known as the P-trap. The P-trap holds water and creates a block against sewer gases entering the kitchen or bathroom through the sink drain.
Now, let’s go through the steps to remove clogs from your sink.
CLEAN OUT THE STANDING WATER
Standing water supports the growth of bacteria, insects, and mould. Hence, if you find any standing water in the sink, remove it immediately. This also makes room for water that you will add later to flush out the drain.
If you see any food scraps or other debris, remove them by wearing rubber gloves.
Check out this article for tips and tricks to prevent pest infestations in your plumbing system.
INSPECT THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL
If your kitchen sink is clogged, the first thing you should do is inspect the garbage disposal to find out whether it’s blocked. Here’s how you do it:
Turn on the garbage disposal and run it. Clogs might break while the garbage disposal is running.
If it’s not running, check whether it’s overheated. Reset and turn on the disposal again for this.
If the clog is not cleared even after running the disposal, disconnect it from power and proceed to the next steps.
POUR BOILING WATER
Boiling water can dissolve soap and fat. Hence, it’s effective in removing clogs caused by oil and soap deposits.
First, remove any standing water in the sink. Then, pour a pot of boiling water into the sink drain in a steady stream.
The water will begin to drain. If not, allow the water to cool and remove it with a mug. Then, pour hot water again.
You’ll have to repeat this process several times to remove the drain blockage.
Warning: Boiling water can damage plastic pipes. Therefore, don’t use boiling water if your sink is attached to PVC pipes.
POUR A BAKING SODA MIXTURE/WHITE VINEGAR/CAUSTIC CLEANER
Baking soda and vinegar are useful ingredients to unclog the sink drain naturally. They’re gentler on the pipes than chemical drain openers.
When baking soda and vinegar are mixed, it causes a bubbling reaction that helps to remove the clogs.
Pour a cup of baking soda followed by one cup of white vinegar. If it’s your bathroom sink, remove the drain stopper before pouring.
Let the mixture stand for around 15 minutes. Wait till the bubbling stops, and then flush with hot water.
You can also use a cup of baking soda and half a cup of salt, and then flush it with hot water after 15 minutes. If the drain is still not cleared, try this process several times. Be careful not to overdo it.
Caustic cleaners can remove grease, hair, food, and other organic materials blocking your sink.
However, they are very strong and leave harsh chemicals in your pipe. So use them only as a last resort. When using caustic cleaners, make sure to wear gloves and use them in a well-ventilated area.
PLUNGE THE SINK
If boiling water, baking soda, and vinegar are not working, try plunging your sink. Plunging creates enough pressure to dislodge minor clogs.
Remove the stopper and cover the overflow opening with a wet cloth. Fill the sink with 2-3 inches of water. It should be enough to cover the head of the plunger without overflowing.
Place the plunger cup on the drain hole, press it firmly, and then move it up around 1 inch. Repeat this up-and-down movement for 15-30 seconds.
Check whether the water drains and flush with hot water to remove any remaining clogs.
Useful tip: Apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly onto the rim of the plunger cup. This will create a tighter seal and make plunging more effective.
If your kitchen sink is connected to a dishwasher, close the dishwasher line using a clamp or a pair of vice grips on its hose.
If you’re worried about damaging the hose, disconnect it and cover the disposal inlet with a pipe cap. This prevents water from back-flowing into the dishwasher line while plunging.
Note: Keep a toilet plunger separately to use for bathroom sinks.
USE AN AUGER/DRAIN SNAKE ON THE UPPER PART OF THE PIPE
If solid material is stuck in the drain, you can unclog it with an auger, also called a drain snake.
Connect the drain snake to a drill. Insert it down the drain till it meets resistance. When the snake meets resistance, run the drill to unclog it. Then, move the snake further down and repeat the process.
Usually, you can connect the snakes to any standard drill or use it without a drill.
While using a hand snake, first feed the drain with it. Then, twist it around to get the proper angle.
Once you meet resistance, allow the barb to hook the clogged material. Then, pull out the snake along with the clog. Finally, flush out the sink drain with hot water to remove any remaining clogs.
You can buy a drain snake from a hardware store or make one at home using a coat hanger.
Let’s make a drain snake at home:
Take a metal coat hanger.
Unwind and twist it to make a long, thin wire.
Use needle nose pliers and bend the end to make a small hook.
There you have a DIY drain snake. Now, you can insert it into the drain and pull out or break down the clogs.
USE A WET-DRY VACUUM
Pressure from the wet-dry vacuum can unblock a clogged drain. Plug up the vacuum for wet use. If you don’t know how, refer to the user manual.
Place the end of the vacuum’s hose on the drain opening and tighten the seal around it. Then, turn on the vacuum at the highest setting.
If you have a double sink and only one side is clogged, cover the other side with a drain stopper before turning on the vacuum.
USE PLIERS TO REMOVE CLOGS
Hair collects under the stopper in the bathroom sink and blocks the drain. You can remove these efficiently using a nose needle plier.
Simply remove the stopper, pull out the clog with a plier, and put back the stopper.
INSPECT THE P-TRAP
If all the above-given methods are not working, it’s time to fix your clogged sink from beneath it.
There’s a curved pipe underneath your sink known as the P-trap. The P-trap holds water between the open drain and the home’s plumbing to prevent odours.
You must disassemble the P-trap and see if any materials are blocked in it. Before that, place a bucket underneath the kitchen sink so that water or debris can fall into it while removing it.
Loosen the slip nuts on the P-trap arm and wiggle it free. If there is any debris, remove it.
Reassemble the pipe and run water into the sink to check whether the clog is removed correctly. While reassembling, don’t tighten the slip nuts too much.
Note: You can use rubber gloves and a wrench to make the above process easy.
USE AN AUGER ON THE WALL PIPE
Suppose the water is not running through the sink drain after you inspect the P-trap; this means the clog is present farther up the pipe.
To remove it, disassemble the P-trap again and remove the horizontal pipe that connects the sink to the wall pipe.
Insert the auger into the wall pipe, twist and turn, and pull out any debris or run the drill to break it.
After removing the debris, fix the pipes back. Remember not to tighten the slip nuts too much. Hand tightening and a quarter turn with a wrench would be enough.
If you can’t remove the clog from your bathroom or kitchen sink, call a professional plumber or contact a drain cleaning service as soon as possible.
HOW TO PREVENT CLOGGING OF YOUR SINK
We all want our sinks to function smoothly. It isn’t very pleasant if you have to unclog your bathroom/kitchen sink frequently.
Follow the instructions below to keep your sink drain free of clogs.
Avoid disposing food scraps into the kitchen sink.
Don’t overload the garbage disposer. Grind a maximum of one cup of food waste at a time.
Collect waste materials such as oil, grease, and coffee grounds into a disposable bag and discard them. Don’t allow them to flow through the sink drain.
Flush out the sink with hot water after every use.
Freeze some ice cubes, pouring vinegar and water in equal proportions. Drop one or two ice cubes into the disposer to keep it fresh and support the unclogging of minor waste deposits.
Pick up any long hairs in the bathroom sink using an old toothbrush rather than flushing them out into drains.
SOME ESSENTIAL TOOLS REQUIRED TO UNCLOG A SINK
You don’t have to call a plumber to unclog a sink every time. Keep the simple tools below with you at home so you can do it yourself if it’s a simple issue:
Plunger.
Nose needle plier.
Gloves.
Adjustable wrench.
Drain snake.
Flashlight.
A bucket or pail that fits under your sink.
CAN YOU UNCLOG A SINK BY YOURSELF?
Your bathroom or kitchen sink can get clogged due to excess food scraps, hair, oil, and other organic waste.
If you have a sink blockage, first follow the easy methods, such as flushing it out with boiling water, baking soda, and vinegar. If it doesn’t get flushed for these, try unclogging it with a plunger, vacuum pump, or drain snake.
If the clog is stubborn, you’ll have to remove the P-trap and take the waste out. If any of the above are not working, call a licensed plumber. Check out the importance of hiring a licensed plumber here.
FAQS
1. WHAT’S THE QUICKEST WAY TO UNCLOG A SINK?
The quickest method to unclog a sink depends on the extent of the clog. So, start with the easy steps, like pouring hot water, and then move to the complex methods like removing the P-trap if any of the simple techniques don’t work.
2. WHAT’S THE BEST NATURAL DRAIN CLOG REMOVER?
Baking soda and white vinegar can unclog a sink naturally.
3. WHAT’S THE SAFEST WAY TO UNCLOG A SINK?
Start with simple techniques like pouring boiling water and adding baking soda and vinegar. If this doesn’t work try unclogging with a plunger or auger. Then try to remove the P-trap to unclog. If you’re not comfortable with any of the above, call a professional service to sort out the issue.
4. IS IT OK TO USE A CHEMICAL DRAIN CLEANER TO UNCLOG THE SINK?
Chemical drain cleaners can damage your pipes. Hence, use it only as a last resort before calling a plumber.
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Advice On How You Can Do Your Own Plumbing
Have you ever poured grease from a pan down your sink? Do you know how bad this can be for your plumbing system? Use the expert advice in this article for many more critical tips and tricks that you need to know in regards to your home plumbing.
Avoid frozen pipes this winter! Keep plumbers palmerston north of water dripping from faucets, and wrap your uninsulated pipes with foam or newspaper. If possible, keep the doors open between unheated and heated rooms. In an unheated area such as a garage or laundry room, keep a small heater next to the pipes. Remember to do this before the first cold snap hits.
Before starting any plumbing project on your own be sure to do a great deal of research. There are many resources available to assist you in understanding your plumbing system and help you to avoid many common mistakes made by do-it-yourself novices. Reading about other people's mistakes can make the difference of saving or losing money.
You need to winter-proof your house. You have to make sure you switch of the master circuit breaker or the shut-off valve before you leave your house. Since one small hole or congested water can quickly freeze and cause pipes to break and expand, you need to drain and open all outdoor and household water lines.
Routinely check your appliance connections and faucets around the house for any kind of obvious leaks or nearby signs of moisture. Not only do even the smallest leaks lead to a large waste of water and money, they also can lead to damage to your home or even the development of harmful molds.
Use strainers in all drains to catch hair and other objects. This will prevent all the material from going down the drain and causing a clog, which can cause a bigger problem down the line. Clean out the strainers daily so that you don't start getting backup of water in your sink or tub.
Pour baking soda and vinegar down your bathtub drain every month. The combination will cause a chemical reaction, so just place a cloth or other object over the drain after pouring. Let it sit a few minutes, then wash it all away with boiling water. By taking these steps, you have a good chance of ridding your pipes of hair and soap scum.
If there is unwanted water draining into the dishwasher, it is most likely because of the hose to the kitchen sink being installed improperly. The hose from your sink to your dishwasher needs to go upward before going back down so that there is no mixing between fixtures.
Don't shrug off that trickle coming from your toilet as a small problem. Even the tiniest leak can be quite expensive in the long run as you end up wasting potentially hundreds of gallons of water. See if you can find the root of the leak, or seek out professional advice, and keep your toilet running efficiently.
Find out the plumbing codes in your local area before starting any project. Plumbing codes can vary wildly from area to area and you don't want to run afoul of the codes. Visit your local building department to find out information or hire a plumber for a day to help you go over your plans and provide advice.
Your water heater works more during the fall and winter so make sure that you eliminate all sediment buildup around this piece of equipment. Flushing this device can lead to increased longevity so that you do not face plumbing problems during the winter. This precaution will save time, money and effort.
You need to make sure that your lint trap is clean for your dryer. This is a good idea for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is fire safety. You also need to be sure the lint trap is free of holes or small openings that could allow lint to get to your pipes. This could result in other problems in your home to deal with.
In conclusion, you now know how bad it is to put oil or grease down your drain. Even if you already knew that, you now know how important it is to avoid this and many other potential disastrous situations. Hopefully you can start using this advice today and have a well working plumbing system in your house.
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Say Goodbye To Driveway Oil Stains: 5 Effective Techniques.
We've all been there. You step outside, and there it is, mocking you: a glaring oil stain smack in the middle of your once-spotless driveway. It might seem like a tiny blemish, but it's akin to that single stain on a crisp white shirt - impossible to overlook. Before you throw your hands up in despair, we've curated a list of five simple tricks to get your driveway back to its former glory. Here is how to remove oil from driveway:
1. Quick Thinking With Absorbents
Did you get a fresh spill? Speed is your best friend. Oil stains are like pesky intruders; tackle them early, and they're easier to deal with. For a DIY fix, scatter some cat litter, cornstarch, or even baking soda over the spill. They act like little sponges, soaking up most of the oil. Let them sit and do their magic for a bit, then sweep or vacuum. Voila! Much better already.
2. The Dish Soap Rescue
For those stains that have made themselves too comfortable on your driveway, it's dish soap to the rescue. Combine it with some warm water and give the spot a good scrub using a sturdy brush. Remember, dish soaps are built to battle grease, so they're perfectly equipped for this mission.
3. Steam Cleaning: The Heavy Artillery
Got a stain that's been lounging on your driveway for what feels like centuries? It's time to bring out the big guns. Consider renting a steam cleaner. The combo of heat and pressure will loosen the oil's grasp, making your driveway gleam once more.
4. Nature To The Rescue: Skip The Chemicals
Before you dive into a sea of strong chemical cleaners, take a breath. Sure, they might seem like the go-to, but they can erode your concrete and harm our lovely planet. Instead, try a mix of good ol' white vinegar and baking soda. Mother Nature really does have an answer for everything!
5. Future-Proofing With Sealants
Now that your driveway's all clean, why not keep it that way? A quality concrete sealer can be a game-changer. It'll throw up a protective shield, making sure any new spills don't burrow deep and can be cleaned up in a jiffy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2uACuEGD4k
How To Get Oil Off Of Concrete?
Oil stains aside, winter throws its own curveballs, with driveways turning into slippery deathtraps. While many reach for salt to ward off the ice, doing so can be a double-edged sword. While it does fend off the ice, it can also eat away at your driveway.
That's where Safe Thaw saunters in, like a superhero with a cape. It's not just any ice melt; it's THE ice melt. Crafted without any corrosive chlorides or toxins, Safe Thaw ensures your driveway remains slip-free without the risks regular salt poses. There may be different answers to your question- how to remove oil from driveway, but Safe Thaw will remain constant and on the top of the list due to its non-corrosive and toxin-free properties as an ice melt. Plus, if you've got any industrial gear around, Safe Thaw's gentle formula ensures they remain unscathed. With its potent formula, a little goes a long way, season after season. Kudos to its innovative crystalline amide core and special agents that give it an edge!
Wrapping Up
Your driveway is more than just a spot to park your car; it's a part of your home's personality. Whether you're battling old oil stains or prepping for a frosty winter, a dash of know-how and the right product like Safe Thaw can be a perfect solution to your question- how to remove oil from driveway. So, here's to a driveway that's not just clean, but also treated with care and love!
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DIY Shower Drain Clog Removal: Plumb Nerd's Step-by-Step Guide
Introduction
Hey there, DIY warriors! Jack Thompson, your Plumb Nerd comrade from Denver, is here to help you tackle a common household nuisance – the dreaded shower drain clog. If you're tired of standing in a pool of water during your showers, fear not! This DIY guide is packed with practical tips to help you remove that stubborn clog and let the water flow freely once again. Grab your toolkit, and let's conquer this plumbing challenge together.
Why Remove a Shower Drain Clog?
Before we jump into the steps, let's quickly understand why dealing with a shower drain clog is a DIY essential:
- Prevent Water Damage: Standing water in the shower can lead to moisture issues, potentially causing damage to your bathroom floor and walls.
- Maintain Drain Efficiency: A clear drain ensures efficient water flow, preventing slow drainage or blockages during showers.
- Save Money: DIY clog removal prevents the need for professional plumbing services, saving you money.
Plumb Nerd's Step-by-Step Guide
Here's your roadmap to becoming a shower drain clog removal expert:
1. Safety First (Always!)
Our golden rule:
- How-to: Put on rubber gloves to protect your hands.
- Why: Keeps you safe from any potential contaminants in the drain.
2. Remove Excess Hair and Debris
Get hands-on:
- How-to: Reach into the drain and manually remove any visible hair or debris.
- Why: Clears the immediate blockage and makes further steps more effective.
3. Use a Plunger
Plunge away the clog:
- How-to: Place a plunger over the drain and plunge vigorously for about 20 seconds.
- Why: Creates pressure to dislodge the clog.
4. Mix Baking Soda and Vinegar
Fizzing power:
- How-to: Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
- Why: The fizzing reaction helps break down organic matter causing the clog.
5. Boil Hot Water
Heat things up:
- How-to: Boil a pot of water and carefully pour it down the drain in stages.
- Why: Helps dissolve grease and soap scum causing the clog.
6. Use a Zip-It Tool or Drain Snake
Get to the root of the problem:
- How-to: Insert a Zip-It tool or a drain snake into the drain and rotate or pull to dislodge the clog.
- Why: Reaches deeper into the pipes to tackle stubborn clogs.
7. Create a Vinegar and Salt Solution
DIY power:
- How-to: Mix equal parts vinegar and salt, pour it down the drain, and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Follow with hot water.
- Why: A homemade solution for additional clog-busting.
8. Check the Drain Stopper
Don't overlook:
- How-to: If your shower has a drain stopper, remove it and clean any hair or debris attached.
- Why: Ensures the stopper is not contributing to the clog.
9. Unscrew and Clean the Drain Cover
Undercover action:
- How-to: If applicable, unscrew the drain cover and clean any accumulated gunk.
- Why: Provides access to hidden areas of the drain for thorough cleaning.
10. Repeat the Process
Persistence pays off:
- How-to: If the clog persists, repeat the steps or try a combination of methods until the drain is clear.
- Why: Some clogs may require multiple attempts for complete removal.
11. Use Enzyme-Based Drain Cleaner
Biological warfare:
- How-to: Pour an enzyme-based drain cleaner down the drain, following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Why: Enzyme cleaners break down organic matter in the pipes.
12. Install a Hair Catcher
Prevent future clogs:
- How-to: Place a hair catcher over the drain to trap hair and prevent it from going down.
- Why: Proactive measure to avoid future clogs.
Conclusion
There you have it, DIY champs! A comprehensive guide to removing a shower drain clog, delivered by Jack Thompson, your Plumb Nerd. If you ever need more DIY wisdom, head over to plumbnerd.com. Now, go rescue that shower from the clutches of the clog. Happy unclogging!
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Advice On How You Can Do Your Own Plumbing
Have you ever poured grease from a pan down your sink? Do you know how bad this can be for your plumbing system? Use the expert advice in this article for many more critical tips and tricks that you need to know in regards to your home plumbing.
Avoid frozen pipes this winter! Keep a small trickle of water dripping from faucets, and wrap your uninsulated pipes with foam or newspaper. If possible, keep the doors open between unheated and heated rooms. In an unheated area such as a garage or laundry room, keep a small heater next to the pipes. Remember to do this before the first cold snap hits.
Before starting any plumbing project on your own be sure to do a great deal of research. There are many resources available to assist you in understanding your plumbing system and help you to avoid many common mistakes made by do-it-yourself novices. Reading about other people's mistakes can make the difference of saving or losing money.
You need to winter-proof your house. You have to make sure you switch of the master circuit breaker or the shut-off valve before you leave your house. Since one small hole or congested water can quickly freeze and cause pipes to break and expand, you need to drain and open all outdoor and household water lines.
Routinely check your appliance connections and faucets around the house for any kind of obvious leaks or nearby signs of moisture. Not only do even the smallest leaks lead to a large waste of water and money, they also can lead to damage to your home or even the development of harmful molds.
Use strainers in all drains to catch hair and other objects. This will prevent all the material from going down the drain and causing a clog, which can cause a bigger problem down the line. Clean out the strainers daily so that you don't start getting backup of water in your sink or tub.
Pour baking soda and vinegar down your bathtub drain every month. The combination will cause a chemical reaction, so just place a cloth or other object over the drain after pouring. Let it sit a few minutes, then wash it all away with boiling water. By taking backflow testing , you have a good chance of ridding your pipes of hair and soap scum.
If there is unwanted water draining into the dishwasher, it is most likely because of the hose to the kitchen sink being installed improperly. The hose from your sink to your dishwasher needs to go upward before going back down so that there is no mixing between fixtures.
Don't shrug off that trickle coming from your toilet as a small problem. Even the tiniest leak can be quite expensive in the long run as you end up wasting potentially hundreds of gallons of water. See if you can find the root of the leak, or seek out professional advice, and keep your toilet running efficiently.
Find out the plumbing codes in your local area before starting any project. Plumbing codes can vary wildly from area to area and you don't want to run afoul of the codes. Visit your local building department to find out information or hire a plumber for a day to help you go over your plans and provide advice.
Your water heater works more during the fall and winter so make sure that you eliminate all sediment buildup around this piece of equipment. Flushing this device can lead to increased longevity so that you do not face plumbing problems during the winter. This precaution will save time, money and effort.
You need to make sure that your lint trap is clean for your dryer. This is a good idea for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is fire safety. You also need to be sure the lint trap is free of holes or small openings that could allow lint to get to your pipes. This could result in other problems in your home to deal with.
In conclusion, you now know how bad it is to put oil or grease down your drain. Even if you already knew that, you now know how important it is to avoid this and many other potential disastrous situations. Hopefully you can start using this advice today and have a well working plumbing system in your house.
1 note
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