Growing up I was often amazed at the things my peers would know. Sometimes I felt like they went to a different school after school or something. By now I know it was just a matter of word of mouth information spreading, and I was the socially isolated one. Still am, it's an autism thing, or maybe it's a socially inept thing. Anyway, we have internets now, so it's easier to look up our own information, but still, I figured some kind of thread grouping all kinds of little tips and tricks could be a useful thing to have here. Some of these might be obvious, but that's kind of the point, as the obvious often remains undiscussed.
Any subject goes, just try to keep the lay-out a little consistent, for ease of perusal.
Hiccups:
I hate them, and the usual remedies never seemed to work on me. Until someone (can't remember who; it was a long time ago) told to 'drink upside down'. How it works: I take a couple of swills from a bottle of water, but instead of leaning back, I bow my head forward, chin almost against my chest, back arched forwards. It's a bit awkward perhaps and I've never seen or heard about anyone else doing it that way, but it always works (sometimes I need two tries though.) Hiccups gone.
Laundry softening:
I never really used fabric softener, relying on my clothes drier to make my clothes all cosy soft and warm. Until the damn thing finally snuffed it, and since I'd be moving soon after, it seemed unpractical to replace it there and then. So I went through all kinds of softening agents and none of them seemed to work. Instead of making clothes and laundry soft and nice, they seemed to cover them in one irritating kind of film. Grrr. Until I read somewhere regular white vinegar would do the trick. I've started adding a cup of vinegar to every wash and it works a charm. Cheap, and it's good for the internals of the washing machine too, as the vinegar breaks down any calcium deposits and such. Every now and then I run an empty full cycle with a decent amount of vinegar for maintenance. No need to waste money on expensive anti-calcium tablets and assorted schemes.
Washing hair:
Vinegar to the rescue again. I have rather thick viking hair which gets dry and unruly after washing, up to the point where I'd have to plan washing it a few days in advance if I want a nice hair day a few days later. Conditioners don't work. Special masks do, but it's a bit of a hassle to do that every time. So I've begun using vinegar for that too. I keep a bottle with 1 part vinegar/5 parts lukewarm water to use as a conditioner. Afterwards I rinse with cold(!) water. Always rinse with cold water. It get's chilly, but my hair likes it a lot better. Oh, and the smell: it's not that bad, and dissipates very quickly.
Sea sickness:
Eat some bread. No toppings, just the bread. It stabilizes the stomach. Best to be done in advance, but even during the sickness it can make you feel better fast. My dad, who was a merchant captain most his life swore by it, have tried it myself many times and seen it work on others.
Cleaning silverware/jewelery:
No, I don't have much actual silverware or so, but I do have an old silver pendant I like to wear, until it gets too grimy. To clean it, I just use some toothpaste (plain, none of that abrasive whitening stuff) and an old toothbrush and microfiber cloth. Just rub it in, polish, rinse and let dry before putting it away and it should be all shiny as new.
There you go. It might not be much, but it's something. Add at will.
Any subject goes, just try to keep the lay-out a little consistent, for ease of perusal.
Hiccups:
I hate them, and the usual remedies never seemed to work on me. Until someone (can't remember who; it was a long time ago) told to 'drink upside down'. How it works: I take a couple of swills from a bottle of water, but instead of leaning back, I bow my head forward, chin almost against my chest, back arched forwards. It's a bit awkward perhaps and I've never seen or heard about anyone else doing it that way, but it always works (sometimes I need two tries though.) Hiccups gone.
Laundry softening:
I never really used fabric softener, relying on my clothes drier to make my clothes all cosy soft and warm. Until the damn thing finally snuffed it, and since I'd be moving soon after, it seemed unpractical to replace it there and then. So I went through all kinds of softening agents and none of them seemed to work. Instead of making clothes and laundry soft and nice, they seemed to cover them in one irritating kind of film. Grrr. Until I read somewhere regular white vinegar would do the trick. I've started adding a cup of vinegar to every wash and it works a charm. Cheap, and it's good for the internals of the washing machine too, as the vinegar breaks down any calcium deposits and such. Every now and then I run an empty full cycle with a decent amount of vinegar for maintenance. No need to waste money on expensive anti-calcium tablets and assorted schemes.
Washing hair:
Vinegar to the rescue again. I have rather thick viking hair which gets dry and unruly after washing, up to the point where I'd have to plan washing it a few days in advance if I want a nice hair day a few days later. Conditioners don't work. Special masks do, but it's a bit of a hassle to do that every time. So I've begun using vinegar for that too. I keep a bottle with 1 part vinegar/5 parts lukewarm water to use as a conditioner. Afterwards I rinse with cold(!) water. Always rinse with cold water. It get's chilly, but my hair likes it a lot better. Oh, and the smell: it's not that bad, and dissipates very quickly.
Sea sickness:
Eat some bread. No toppings, just the bread. It stabilizes the stomach. Best to be done in advance, but even during the sickness it can make you feel better fast. My dad, who was a merchant captain most his life swore by it, have tried it myself many times and seen it work on others.
Cleaning silverware/jewelery:
No, I don't have much actual silverware or so, but I do have an old silver pendant I like to wear, until it gets too grimy. To clean it, I just use some toothpaste (plain, none of that abrasive whitening stuff) and an old toothbrush and microfiber cloth. Just rub it in, polish, rinse and let dry before putting it away and it should be all shiny as new.
There you go. It might not be much, but it's something. Add at will.
