Help a MN'er out - random niggling life problems we need to sort out but aren't' worth their own thread.

[RobinEllacotStrike]

A supportive thread for women who have lots of shit to do. Below are some issues that pop into my head at random inconvenient times that I really need to sort out.

Things I need to sort out but I'm not quite sure about.

1. I really want to cancel my TV licence, but I'm unsure about the rules around this now. It used to be virtually impossible to do but now many are. What do I need to know?
2. My dentist has been hassling me for years to get an electric toothbrush - I had one but it rattled my brain so I got rid. A few weeks ago I gave in and bought another one - Superdrug own brand. About £40 on offer. IT CUTS MY LIP!! This cant be right? there seems to be a gap between the vibrating head and if it touches my lip it cuts me. Even if I am really careful it does this. Its this faulty? Is this a normal hazzard when using electric toothbrushes? Its probably too late for a refund but is it worth buying another one?
3. Kitchen sink is starting to be slow draining - what do I do that doesn't involve a plumber.
4. Newish tyre - dramatically lost air pressure. I topped it up thinking I had a slow leak & it seems to be fine 2 weeks later. Is it?

Let me know if you have any random issues we can support with.

So I filled in the online questionnaires and got through to ‘book an appointment’ and the next available appt to book is 18 November. I’ve requested a prescription from boots because I can’t wait that long. It’s been niggling for a week now but today I’ve got like electric zaps after I pee and just feel generally raw around my bladder.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NAMOARLY-Washable-Reusable-Stretchy-Dustproof/dp/B0F6396B4B?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&smid=A3TMSDJWGCZJA6&th=1

That is supposed to be a link to stretchy cloth, cotton apparently, bowl lids

Definiately WD40 for stuck window handles, if you have the key, we keep our windows open all year and after a year or so, they get stuck in that position!!!

So need spraying.

Still photos.
Hope you can see them!

@SwirlyShirly for a UTI: put a teaspoon of cream of tartar and a few drops of lemon juice in a mug of hot water and drink it, then do the same again before bed, and tomorrow morning and evening. This remedy has worked for me when a UTI came on at the start of a bank holiday weekend.

Oh very satisfying!!

I've got another one. We bought a chest of drawers from Amazon in desperation. When it arrived it smelled really musty but I didn't realise it was that until after the returns window as it was a new house and everything smelled a bit odd. I have aired it, put bicarb in the drawers, put those little gel fresheners in....and I thought it was ok, but I have just put on a T-shirt from it and it smells musty again. What can I do?? It's not damp, the house is warm, it's made of wood.

You know it’s not going away by itself. Get to the docs & sort it the quicker the better.

sometimes you just gotta suck it up & just do it.

Ooooh & ewww in equal measures

Thanks. I don't know what the nearby person (could be one of dozens of people) smelled, if it was the same or different, and it could be completely co-incidental. As I say, the water people didn't find anything - I saw them lifting a few manholes in the street so they were checking closely. And I haven't see them since either.

Gosh that's so frustrating!

Great idea for a thread!

My problem is that my shower drips when the bathroom sink taps are used. The shower is fully turned off. Any ideas?

I appear to have a "water hammer".

Despite having a loud thudding noice everytime the hot tap turns on anywhere in the house, I have had TWO plumbers out, and incredibly both times as soon as the plumber entered my house, the noise stopped.

The plumbers were perpelexed as to what it could be. Neither of them mentioned "water hammer" - I found that by accident on google this morning.

First part of all advice is to turn the water to the house off & then empty all taps.

No idea how to turn my water off (I really should know this), so I will try & figure it out this weekend. <adds to list>

My neighbour used to be so good with advice, tool loans, & DIY support. He loved to help out whenever he could. Sadly he died 2 years ago.

You need the app 'JustWatch' it's fantastic - tells you where to see things for free/the cheapest.

Lemon oil. Or something similar.
It's gorgeous. Makes wood look and smell lovely.

I have one. I've re sealed around the bath, but it's quite a large gap so not the neatest.
I've tried the rolls of flexible sealant over the top, but water just gets down behind it and makes it mouldy after a few weeks.
Any ideas please?

@LemograssLollipop we have the same issue in our bathroom too! Let me know if you find a solution! 😊

Can you put the roll of sealant down and then use silicone over the top to make it watertight?

If it's proper solid wood, you could try and oil it, but be careful that it's fully dry before you put stuff in.

I have sn antique dresser which is quite musty and I have ikea storage cubes inside it so the clothes don't rest directly on the wood (cause it's also quite snaggy and uneven, so jumpers etc can get snagged)

re the wooden dresser if all else fails what about scented drawer liners - you can buy fancy ones or make your own out of wallpaper & add your own scent.

re the bath sealant, I've not done this (yet). Did you fill the bath up with water before doing the sealing?

1. My bath panel has delaminated. Can I buy a new one and just slot in?

1. Why has my cooker clock suddenly gone really dim and can I fix it myself?

1. Is it my heating that's causing a funny burnt smell? Even though I've had the boiler serviced?

replacing the bath panel is also on my (very long) list.
Watching with interest.

Or soak it in white vinegar overnight