# The "I'll be damned, it actually works" helpful tip thread **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 30, 2010, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425 "2010-11-30T16:59:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425/241 "2011-07-07T05:43:04Z")
learned this one from gramma…out of powder for babies bottom, scorch a little flour in a pan (hey when you’re young and broke and poor…) later on in life when baby is now jr or lil miss and comes in from swimming, causually dropping a wet towel on grammas antique dining room table that she busted you butt for setting an empty glass on without a coaster to prevent water ring, use mayonaise to remove the wet towel stain ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425/242 "2011-07-07T05:53:23Z")
Then what do you use to get the mayonnaise stain out? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425/243 "2011-07-07T06:10:26Z")
> [@redtail23](#): > > Enclose a piece of bread in your brown sugar to soften it. I’ve heard this forever but never tried it until recently when I had a rock of brown sugar. It was amazing how well it worked. > [@carnut](#): > > An apple works too. Or a damp piece of paper towel. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425/244 "2011-07-07T13:26:37Z")
For deodorant, I squirt apple cider vinegar on my pits. Keeps me perfectly unfunky all day long. To restore the whiteness of grout, Chlorox toilet bowl cleaner works wonderfully well. Squirt some on there, leave it on for about 15-30 min, wipe it off, and you’ll see what I’m talking about. ---
**Author:** ![randomface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5fc32e/32.png) [@randomface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randomface)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425/245 "2011-07-07T14:14:24Z")
This doesn’t quite fit in with the household theme, but always get gas at night for your car. The lower temperature will increase the density of the liquid, providing more chemical energy for your money. It’s only a slight difference (a few percent at max), but it adds up. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Bird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Little\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Bird)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425/246 "2011-07-07T16:56:37Z")
K, asking for tips here: New house, low-flow toilet. Skid marks at every #2 use. Asked husband nicely to use the toilet brush when he marks it up, husband keeps “forgetting” (just like he keeps “forgetting” to put the dog in her cage when he leaves in the morning) which means pregnant wife has to take care of it. Anyone know of a product, like a teflon-impregnated cleanser or something, that will either prevent the marks or dissolve them without me having to use the toilet brush every other day? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425/247 "2011-07-07T17:22:39Z")
> [@Little\_Bird](#): > > K, asking for tips here: > New house, low-flow toilet. Skid marks at every #2 use. Asked husband nicely to use the toilet brush when he marks it up, husband keeps “forgetting” (just like he keeps “forgetting” to put the dog in her cage when he leaves in the morning) which means pregnant wife has to take care of it. Anyone know of a product, like a teflon-impregnated cleanser or something, that will either prevent the marks or dissolve them without me having to use the toilet brush every other day? Can you adjust the water level from the tank so that the water comes up higher in the bowl? ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425/248 "2011-07-07T17:48:43Z")
> [@Kaio](#): > > For red wine stains: mix half hydrogen peroxide, half dish soap. Blot on the stain, let it work for a while, then wash. I thought I’d ruined my favorite skirt, but damn if this didn’t take the entire stain right off. For red wine stains on carpet, use hydrogen peroxide with just a drop or two of dish soap. Essentially the H2O2 oxidizes the coloring molecules, and the dish soap breaks the surface tension of the water and lets it penetrate the carpet and stain. Depending on the pot (i.e. not aluminum or teflon), I just use no-fume oven cleaner to remove baked/burned on funk. Much easier than monkeying around with boiling baking soda, etc… I think my most interesting trick is for painting inside your house. Those[trim pads with the little rollers](http://www.amazon.com/Shur-Line-500-Premium-Paint-Edger/dp/B0001MQI9E) work very well, if you do two things. 1. Don’t try and dip the thing in your roller tray, because you’ll just get paint all over the pad and the rollers. Use your brush and brush the paint onto the pad. 2. The actual pad tends to have a little slop on the holder. Hot glue the pad to the holder so your lines stay consistent. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425/249 "2011-07-07T18:15:34Z")
> [@Little\_Bird](#): > > K, asking for tips here: > New house, low-flow toilet. Skid marks at every #2 use. Asked husband nicely to use the toilet brush when he marks it up, husband keeps “forgetting” (just like he keeps “forgetting” to put the dog in her cage when he leaves in the morning) which means pregnant wife has to take care of it. Anyone know of a product, like a teflon-impregnated cleanser or something, that will either prevent the marks or dissolve them without me having to use the toilet brush every other day? Mom used to spray nonstick cooking spray in the bowl every so often. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425/250 "2011-07-07T18:56:44Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Mom used to spray nonstick cooking spray in the bowl every so often. This makes me laugh. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425/251 "2011-07-07T19:07:12Z")
When I have a mild sore throat - usually from excess sinus drainage - I eat a dab of yellow mustard. Fixes it right up. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425/252 "2011-07-07T19:47:25Z")
> [@Little\_Bird](#): > > K, asking for tips here: > New house, low-flow toilet. Skid marks at every #2 use. Asked husband nicely to use the toilet brush when he marks it up, husband keeps “forgetting” (just like he keeps “forgetting” to put the dog in her cage when he leaves in the morning) which means pregnant wife has to take care of it. Anyone know of a product, like a teflon-impregnated cleanser or something, that will either prevent the marks or dissolve them without me having to use the toilet brush every other day? Just feed him more bacon. Animal fat makes poop float. Or go throw up in his lap every time it happens. You know you want to, and it’ll cure him fast!\* 😉 \*And yes, I am still single, why do you ask? ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425/253 "2011-07-07T19:48:35Z")
> [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](#): > > Then what do you use to get the mayonnaise stain out? I’ve seen this done three times mayo, doesn’t leave a stain. I have NO idea how it works, just know that it does, unless its that old water ring from the full glass of lemonade right out of the fridge from years and years and years ago. double checked with gramma on it, she said you have to get on it right away or it won’t work at all. Maybe it wouldn’t work on a newer peice of furniture, now that I think about it. grammas table IS pretty old ---
**Author:** ![Toucanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Toucanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toucanna)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425/254 "2011-07-08T02:28:29Z")
> [@randomface](#): > > {snip}The lower [ambient] temperature will increase the density of the liquid, providing more chemical energy for your money.{snip} Would that that were so, but it isn’t. Sorry. “While [gasoline/petrol] density may change with temperature, underground storage tanks sit 15 to 20 feet below the surface so the fuel stays around 55 degrees Fahrenheit.” Excerpted from: [http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=maintenance&subject=fuel&story=fuel-myths&referer&aff=national](http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=maintenance&subject=fuel&story=fuel-myths&referer&aff=national) ---
**Author:** ![HappyDays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f08c70/32.png) [@HappyDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HappyDays)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425/255 "2011-07-08T02:52:49Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Depending on the pot (i.e. not aluminum or teflon), I just use no-fume oven cleaner to remove baked/burned on funk. Much easier than monkeying around with boiling baking soda, etc… I always put a little dishwasher detergent (powder or liquid/gel) in the pot with some water and let it soak overnight. Stuff that seems like it has permanently attached itself to the pan just wipes away. I don’t have a dishwasher at the moment, but I still keep some on hand just for this purpose. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425/256 "2011-07-08T20:41:52Z")
If you a re a wet shaver, your razor will never get really clean holding underr a tap. So when you have a bath put your wet razor, head down into the plug hole, when you pull the plug. A good many gallons of hot soapy water will clean your razor much better then the usual “hold it under the hot tap for half a minute method”. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425/257 "2011-07-08T20:59:21Z")
> [@guestchaz](#): > > I’ve seen this done three times mayo, doesn’t leave a stain. I have NO idea how it works, just know that it does, unless its that old water ring from the full glass of lemonade right out of the fridge from years and years and years ago. double checked with gramma on it, she said you have to get on it right away or it won’t work at all. Maybe it wouldn’t work on a newer peice of furniture, now that I think about it. grammas table IS pretty old The other thing that works is a steam iron for your clothes. Lay down an old T-shirt of something, put the iron on high and rull steam and iron the spot. I did this a little while ago, when the mayo failed me. ---
**Author:** ![zombiebacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/76d3ee/32.png) [@zombiebacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombiebacon)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2011, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425/258 "2011-07-09T01:26:15Z")
My youngest brother is 12 years younger than i am. When he was about 3-4 years old the family were in a store when by brother had a screaming tantrum fit in front of the toy aisle because he wanted some toy. Complete with throwing himself on the ground, kicking his legs screaming “i want it i want it i want it”. Imagine how mortified i was when my dad threw himself on the ground next to him and started kicking and screaming “what does that do what does that do what does that do”. after about 30 seconds my brother stopped and stared at him, got himself off the ground and stood next to the cart. effective but at 16 years old i wished i were dead. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2011, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425/259 "2011-07-09T04:39:42Z")
> [@zombiebacon](#): > > My youngest brother is 12 years younger than i am. When he was about 3-4 years old the family were in a store when by brother had a screaming tantrum fit in front of the toy aisle because he wanted some toy. Complete with throwing himself on the ground, kicking his legs screaming “i want it i want it i want it”. Imagine how mortified i was when my dad threw himself on the ground next to him and started kicking and screaming “what does that do what does that do what does that do”. after about 30 seconds my brother stopped and stared at him, got himself off the ground and stood next to the cart. effective but at 16 years old i wished i were dead. Umm, Parent of the Year? :eek: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2011, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425/260 "2011-07-09T07:56:20Z")
> [@Chef\_Troy](#): > > Have a dry-erase board that someone has accidentally written on with a non-erasable marker? Take a dry-erase marker and go directly over the “permanent” marks, and almost always you’ll be able to erase cleanly. Rubbing alcohol will also get rid of the permanent marker, and cleans the dry-erase boards off pretty well. Sharpies and dry-erase markers use alcohol as the solvent for the ink anyways. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ill-be-damned-it-actually-works-helpful-tip-thread/562425.md?page=14)