What tip have you heard about and been incredulous when it actually works?

[hiredandsqueak]

I saw on Twitter that filling a ziplock bag with water and a few coins and hanging it in a doorway/placing it on the doorstep will keep flies out. It seemed such a bizarre suggestion that I thought I would try it and can confirm it works. I've also hung one near the bins and there hasn't been any flies around for a week.
Are there any other tips that I should know?

RiftGibbon

How does the brown paper/newspaper work with regard to travel sickness? I'm okay in cars, but this could be really useful.

Can’t help with that I’m afraid. It was never explained and I’d like to know myself.

@RiftGibbon and @sorryforswearing - I don't know how it works either (and the person who passed it on didn't know either) it's magic! We always called it magic newspaper on our coach trips and like I said it NEVER failed!

It's probably all in the mind 😉.

Olive oil on a cotton bud will remove ground in blu-tack marks on a carpet.

Dip the cotton bud in (or put a small amount directly on the mark) and rub. After a few minutes, the blu-tack is completely gone.

(Can also be used with kitchen roll, just takes slightly longer)

Didn't believe this when I read it but managed to salvage a teenagers carpet which I thought was destined for the skip!

I was so excited when I saw the duvet video because I really despise making the bed for that reason. But it takes soooo looong! Even when watching the video I kept thinking "I would have been done twice over by now!"

Repeating back to people what they're annoyed about really works to calm them down! I read it on this thread and I tried it on my 7 year old. It completely calmed her down and she's a very fiery character!

Did you not wash your hair at all or just not use shampoo etc? Ie wash with water only

They are grim aren’t they?! I’ve tried all sorts of sprays and deterants but they only seem to work if I use them every few weeks. Which makes me think it’s just holding them at bay rather than eliminating. I’m in a rental property so not inclined to pay out for it but if it was my own home I would either replace the carpets or get pest control in. Weirdly it’s just in one room and they haven’t gone for clothes etc just the carpet

Regards the stained grout ... we had a new shower about 4 years ago and I'm a bit of a neat freak so stuck to washing the walls with a method spray for that time as it seemed gentler smelt nice and was a pretty colour and I'm a bit precious about too many chemicals.

The tile grout has now yellowed If I try rubbing bleach or something hardcore like Cillit Bang is it likely to actually damage the grout? I've tried things like Cif and a bicarb/vinegar mix which worked but only for a week or so then it went yellow again. And they were quite messy methods.

After a while will lovely sparkling white grout just go yellow with age? I'm now thinking I should have used more heavy duty stuff to begin with

Stupid question but if grout pens are so good why does anyone bother trying to scrub the stuff first?

I feel your pain about grout. I am in the process of getting rid of every tile in my house just to get rid of the grout. I have replaced two tiled walls in showers with Nuance shower wall by Bushboard with 2 more to go. One has been in about 5 years now and looks as good as the day it was installed. The patterns and textures are nothing like they used to be. Not cheap but worth it. My new kitchen is having upstands and a splashback.
So there's my top tip - dont choose tiles if you can help it

Daft question about the "stains fading in the sun" do you wash first

Yes, do wash before putting in the sun.

23:42YewHedge

The grout in my bathroom has turned orange. I think it's stained with mould. Bleach hasn't sorted it.
Any solutions?

Astonish mould and mildew remover. Fab stuff.

For the posters who asked about kitchen walls and sunscreen on glass. Astonish grease buster. Seriously the best grease cleaner I have ever used. Hard to source in the shops, but it is available on their website.

I am a fan of all things Astonish. 👍

My kids got slime in my rug and it wouldn't come out. I tried pouring some white vinegar on it and it came out easily. Slime is now banned

I've seen a thing for migranes. Get a glass of water and a towel. Put the towel on top of the glass (towel will need to be folded one to two times) then put the towel on your head with the glass of water upside down, so the water seeps through the towel onto your head. (I hope that made sense).
I don't suffer with migranes so I can't say if it works, but from what I've seen it does.

There was a bronze sun cream stain on real wood. Covered it in non gel toothpaste and left it for an hour. Wiped it off and stain had gone! Was amazed as most ' tips' I try don't usually work.

Hi sluj, ahhh whilst I would love another new bathroom I think replacing all tiles is behind the budget. I'll bear that product in mind for future though. I think your right that no grout to begin is the way to go!

That Astonish stuff sounds good though, I've used some of their products before with good results.

I have used vim mixed with a little bleach to form a paste and applied with a toothbrush to grouting leave for a few minutes and rinse off worked really well in both kitchen and bathroom

Some of these sounds like they're from Viz:

"I sleep with a large key under my tongue and never suffer from cramp"

"Tie onions to your belt loops to make them easier to iron"

The apple cider vinegar and washing up liquid for fruit flies didn't work today and just made the kitchen smell of vinegar whilst the flies buzzed all over the plant! What might I have done wrong?

Anyone have any idea if permanent marker pen can be removed from silicone please??

I use apple cider vinegar and washing up liquid regularly Twigaletta What type of bowl did you use for the liquid? I've been using a flattish dipping bowl uncovered but have used a small glass in the past. When using the glass I put a tight cover of cling film over the top and poke several small holes in. I think using a flat dish works better but if you can only use a glass, cover tightly with cling film to trap the little blighters!

This is probably obvious but new to me, dd got car grease on her favourite dress after going under a car for her ball, i sprayed with astonish and washed it a couple of times but it wouldn't budge, so i rubbed some washing up liquid into it and it lifted right out.

@RustyParker

I use apple cider vinegar and washing up liquid regularly Twigaletta What type of bowl did you use for the liquid? I've been using a flattish dipping bowl uncovered but have used a small glass in the past. When using the glass I put a tight cover of cling film over the top and poke several small holes in. I think using a flat dish works better but if you can only use a glass, cover tightly with cling film to trap the little blighters!

A shallow saucer with a small amount of apple cider vinegar and a few drops of washing up liquid mixed in.

Using a crochet hook to cast off knitting. When you look at it it's not surprising that it works but it has revolutionised my craft life!