Considering how helpful we all seem to be and thinking of the "Rain" thread over in Craig's corner, I thought it would be fun and useful for us to have a thread about creative uses for things we (may) have hanging around the house for chores and what not, but aren't "designed" for them.

Things I remember posting before or seen posted (here or elsewhere):

Suck on a match (for the sulfur) to help keep blood sucking insects away - Skiballa (I wonder if just taking sulfur tablets would do the same)

Use hot water, aluminium foil, and baking powder to polish silver (combine in a glass or metal container and soak the silver, then buff) - Me from my grandmother

Carbonated water to clean corrosion from battery terminals (commonly the Coca-cola trick) - Mythbusters (they "discovered" it's just the bubble action of the carbonated water that lifts the corrosion)


And, today, when needing to get a rubber fitting that's being stubborn onto a metal mount on a vehicle, use a water-based "personal" lubricant to assist without risking eating away the rubber and for easy clean-up.

My case, I had to replace the exhaust insulators/hangers on my wife's minivan. I could not get a part specifically made for the van ('99 Ford Windstar), but I did find a pair made for Honda's which have the holes at the right spacing... but the holes are too small to fit over the flanges on the ends of the post. I had the choice of using a fine-toothed file or a drill to enlarge the holes, but I figured that would reduce the strength of the piece. So, I grabbed the K-Y out of my med kit and smeared it in both holes on the rubber hanger, and then I could just shove both in without damaging either the posts or the rubber. Take care to make sure it's a water and glycerine lubricant as silicone or oil-based lubricants may damage the rubber over time. To clean the lubricant away, I used a turkey baster with hot water to rinse it away. No need to use soap with can damage the rubber either.

Of course, when that was done, I had to clean my hands of the grease and crud from the undercarriage, so I used the other tip my mechanic mentor taught me. Rub a bare tampon between your hands to get most grease and oil off your hands before you have to touch clean parts/door handles. Mainly, I keep a few tampons with no applicator (OB brand) in my motorcycle tool kit in case of roadside repairs. Rub the hands down to get the worst of the grease off, then most any hand wipe can get the rest. (I keep tampons, a pocket pack of baby wipes, and a ten pack of latex gloves in my kit. If my repair rips the gloves, then I use the tampon/baby wipe combo to clean my hands before I put my riding gloves back on, and I don't have to worry about greasy riding gloves!)

Whatcha got to help with our honey-do lists?