Replacing Your Faucets With Ease

Step 1: Remove the Existing Fixture

Turn off the water supply at the valves under the sink or at the main water-supply valve. Loosen the supply tubes at the hot and cold valves. Use the basin wrench to loosen and remove the compression nut at the faucet stem. Remove the nut holding the faucet to the sink, and remove the faucet.

Step 2: Remove the Existing Pop-Up Drain

Remove the nut above the P-trap, and loosen the nut attached to the P-trap. Remove the P-trap. Remove the pop-up lever from the drain. Loosen the lock nut holding the drain to the sink. Unscrew the drain and the drain flange.

Step 3: Secure the Faucet to the Sink

Place Teflon paste or tape on the faucet stems. If your faucet has a rubber gasket, install it on the base of the faucet before inserting the faucet stems in the appropriate holes in the sink. If your faucet doesn't include a gasket, run a line of caulk under the faucet before installing it.

Secure the nuts holding the faucet to the sink. Tighten the nuts by hand then give them another quarter-turn with the basin wrench. Connect the supply tubes to the faucet stems. Apply Teflon paste to the shutoff valve threads, and tighten the coupling nuts to the faucet-supply stems. Do not over tighten.

Step 4: Attach the Drain Housing to the Flange

Apply caulk to the underside of the drain flange, and press it into the drain hole. Place the lock nut on the drain housing, then place the metal washer and the gasket on the housing. Screw the drain housing tightly to the flange. If the flange begins to rotate, hold it steady by inserting the plastic handle of your pliers

Step 5: Place the Pop-up Drain

Drop the pop-up drain into place, keeping the hole for the control pin toward the rear of the sink. Place the bail lever in the side hole of the drain assembly so the control pin fits through the appropriate hole in the pop-up drain.

Set the drain rod into the hole in the faucet, and attach the connecting link to the faucet rod by tightening the attached screw. Make sure the pop-up is up and the drain rod is down, then attach the bail lever to the connection link, using the V-clip. The pop-up should go down when the lever is pulled up.

Step 6: Clean the Supply Tubes and Check for Leaks

Attach the new drain extension to the P-trap. Clean the supply tubes by removing the aerator from the faucet and turning on the water. While the water is running, check for leaks. Shut the water off after you're certain there are no leaks, and replace the aerator.

10 Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipes

Picture of Homemade Laundry Detergent Bottle - This is a nice stack of different homemade laundry detergent recipes I’ve collected over the years. Do they work? Yes, I’ve had good luck with them.

At the time I was using homemade detergent, we had a relative who was in trade school living with us. Every day he was mechanic grease from head to toe–the clothes cleaned up nice!

Making your own laundry detergent is a discipline and it’s not for everyone, but it definitely saves money–sometimes just costing pennies a load!

First Some Tips:

* For the bar soaps required in the recipes, you could try Fels-Naptha, Ivory soap, Sunlight bar soap, Kirk’s Hard water Castile, and Zote. Don’t use heavily perfumed soaps.
* Washing Soda and Borax can normally be found in the laundry and cleaning aisles.
* Some people with really hard water or well water may have to adjust the recipes if the clothes look dingy.
* Although several of the recipes have the same ingredients, the measurements are different–some contain a higher soap to water ratio. Test and see which works best for your laundry needs.
* You can make huge pails of this at once, or smaller quantities. Also if you can get your hands on a few empty liquid laundry detergent bottles they work great for storing the detergent. Just make a big batch and pour in bottles, cap then use as needed–shake before use.
* Some of the recipes call for large amounts of water. Check with a local restaurant to see if they have any empty large pails from deep fryer oil–that’s how many restaurants buy the oil. See if you can have one or two of the pails after they’ve emptied it–just wash them out really well before using. They’re big, heavy plastic and very sturdy when stirring the soap and hot water.

10 Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipes

Recipe #1

1 quart Water (boiling)
2 cups Bar soap (grated)
2 cups Borax
2 cups Washing Soda

* Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is melted. You can keep on low heat until soap is melted.
* Pour the soap water into a large, clean pail and add the Borax and Washing Soda. Stir well until all is dissolved.
* Add 2 gallons of water, stir until well mixed.
* Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Stir the soap each time you use it (will gel).

Recipe #2

Hot water
1 cup Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax
1 Soap bar

* Grate the bar soap and add to a large saucepan with hot water. Stir over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
* Fill a 10 gallon pail half full of hot water. Add the melted soap, Borax and Washing soda, stir well until all powder is dissolved. Top the pail up with more hot water.
* Use 1 cup per load, stirring soap before each use (will gel).

Recipe #3

Hot water
1/2 cup Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax
1/3 bar Soap (grated)

* In a large pot, heat 3 pints of water. Add the grated bar soap and stir until melted. Then add the washing soda and borax. Stir until powder is dissolved, then remove from heat.
* In a 2 gallon clean pail, pour 1 quart of hot water and add the heated soap mixture. Top pail with cold water and stir well.
* Use 1/2 cup per load, stirring soap before each use (will gel).

Powdered Laundry Detergent - Recipe #4

Picture of Cup Of Powdered Laundry Detergent - Tipnut.com2 cups Fels Naptha Soap (finely grated - you could also try the other bar soaps listed at the top)
1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup Borax

* Mix well and store in an airtight plastic container.
* Use 2 tablespoons per full load.

Recipe #5

Hot water
1 bar (4.5 oz) Ivory Soap - grated
1 cup Washing Soda

* In a large saucepan add grated soap and enough hot water to cover. Heat over medium-low heat and stir until soap is melted.
* Fill a large pail with 2.5 gallons of hot water, add hot soap mixture. Stir until well mixed.
* Then add the washing soda, again stirring until well mixed.
* Set aside to cool.
* Use 1/2 cup per full load, stirring well before each use (will gel)

Recipe #6

2.5 gallons Water (hot)
1 Bar soap (grated)
3/4 cup Washing Soda
3/4 cup Borax
2 TBS Glycerin

* Melt bar soap over medium-low heat topped with water, stir until soap is melted.
* In a large pail, pour 2.5 gallons of hot water, add melted soap mixture, washing soda, borax and glycerin. Mix well.
* Use 1/2 cup per full load.

Recipe #7

2 cups Bar soap (grated)
2 cups Washing Soda
2 - 2.5 gallons hot water

* Melt grated soap in saucepan with water to cover. Heat over medium-low heat and stir until soap is dissolved.
* Pour hot water in large pail, add hot soap and washing soda. Stir very well.
* Use 1 cup per full load.

Recipe #8

2 gallons Water (hot)
1 bar Soap (grated)
2 cups Baking soda (yes baking soda this time–not washing soda)

* Melt grated soap in a saucepan with enough hot water to cover. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring frequently until soap is melted.
* In a large pail, pour 2 gallons hot water. Add melted soap, stir well.
* Then add the baking soda, stir well again.
* Use 1/2 cup per full load, 1 cup per very soiled load.

Powdered Laundry Detergent - Recipe #9

Picture of Cup Of Powdered Laundry Detergent - Tipnut.com12 cups Borax
8 cups Baking Soda
8 cups Washing Soda
8 cups Bar soap (grated)

* Mix all ingredients well and store in a sealed tub.
* Use 1/8 cup of powder per full load.

Recipe #10 - (Powdered)

Picture of Cup Of Powdered Laundry Detergent - Tipnut.com1 cup Vinegar (white)
1 cup Baking Soda
1 cup Washing Soda
1/4 cup liquid castile soap

* Mix well and store in sealed container.
* I find it easiest to pour the liquid soap into the bowl first, stirred in the washing soda, then baking soda, then added the vinegar in small batches at a time (the recipe foams up at first). The mixture is a thick paste at first that will break down into a heavy powdered detergent, just keep stirring. There may be some hard lumps, try to break them down when stirring (it really helps to make sure the baking soda isn’t clumpy when first adding). I used 1/2 cup per full load with great results.

Liquid Detergents Note

Soap will be lumpy, goopy and gel-like. This is normal. Just give it a good stir before using. Make sure soap is covered with a lid when not in use. You could also pour the homemade soap in old (and cleaned) laundry detergent bottles and shake well before each use.

*If you can’t find Fels-Naptha locally, you can buy it online (check Amazon).
Optional

You can add between 10 to 15 drops of essential oil (per 2 gallons) to your homemade laundry detergent. Add once the soap has cooled to room temperature. Stir well and cover.

Essential oil ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil

Cleaning Up Nasty Pet Stains

For New Stains

Step1
Remove any excrement and blot the entire wet area immediately and firmly with a clean, white, absorbent towel or cloth.

Step2
Pour a small amount of liquid detergent onto the cloth or towel and rub stained area with just enough firmness to remove the stain.

Step3
Mix together 1 quart warm water and 1/2 cup white vinegar.

Step4
Slowly dribble the mixture onto the stain.

Step5
Place several clean, dry, white towels over the stained area.

Step6
Walk over the wet area several times to absorb excess moisture.

Step7
Place books or other heavy objects over the area.

Step8
Allow the objects to stand on the area for 4 to 6 hours.

Step9
Remove the towels.

Step10
Use a soft-bristled hairbrush to raise the nap of the carpet.
For Old or Invisible Stains

Step1
Locate any invisible odors with a black light. Urine in carpets glows in black light.

Step2
Mix 1 tbsp. neutral detergent (mild, non-alkaline, non-bleaching) into 1 cup warm water.

Step3
Dribble the mixture onto the stain or odor area.

Step4
Blot the area with a clean, dry, white towel.

Step5
Mix 1/3 cup white vinegar with 2/3 cup water.

Step6
Dribble the mixture onto the stain or odor area.

Step7
Blot the area with a clean, dry, white towel.

Step8
Mix 1 tbsp. neutral detergent with 1 cup warm water.
Step9
Again dribble this mixture onto the stain or odor area.

Step10
Blot again with a clean, dry, white towel.
Step11
Dribble clean water onto the area.

Step12
Blot

Cleaning Green

Step1
Use baking soda to scrub like any scouring powder. Unlike traditional scouring powders, baking soda doesn't scratch surfaces and is non-toxic. So scrub surfaces like kitchen counters with a sponge sprinkled with baking soda, then rinse the surface with either water or vinegar.

Step2
Remove dirt and buildup with vinegar. Use vinegar full-strength for tough cleaning jobs and to remove lime or hard water stains, or mix the vinegar with warm water for a milder green cleaner.

Step3
Make an all-purpose green cleaner by combining 1 tsp. borax, 1 tsp. baking soda, 2 tsp. vinegar, ½ tsp. dish soap or mild castile soap, 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice and 2 cups hot water. Store in a spray bottle and use like any all-purpose cleaner.

Step4
Clean tile and linoleum floors with dish soap or mild castile soap such as Dr. Bronner's. Mix 2 tsp. of soap with 3 gallons hot water. Mop or wipe the floor with the solution, and then rinse with 1 cup of vinegar mixed with 3 gallons of cold water.

Step5
Polish wood floors with a mixture of equal parts vinegar and vegetable oil. Rub the polish into the floor, then buff with a soft cloth.

Step6
Remove stains from carpets and upholstery with club soda. Immediately saturate stains with club soda and blot until the stain is removed. Follow with a vinegar-water solution if the stain smells.

Step7
Get streak-free glass by combining ¼ cup vinegar with 4 cups club soda. Use rags made from T-shirts or use crumpled newspaper for cleaning to avoid lint on your glass.

Step8
Freshen the air with a non-toxic baking powder spray. Combine 2 tbsp. baking soda with 2 cups hot water, and stir until dissolved. Add fresh lemon juice or any essential oils. Store in a spray bottle and mist into the air to freshen it.

How-To Make Green Household Cleaners

Here are some tips for using and making your own household cleaners. Most are simple and only take a few minutes to mix.

NEVER MIX AMMONIA AND BLEACH! Mixing these chemicals creates a harmful gas that can be fatal!

If you don't want to make your own cleaning supplies either purchase the store brands at your dollar store at bulk at a janitor supply.

Buy 1 gallon of bubble bath and use instead of liquid hand soap. It is much cheaper and smells better than regular hand soap.

Read the labels on any cleaning product you buy, even on common products that you, your mom and grandmother have used for years. For example for generations women have used ammonia to disinfect their kitchens, but ammonia is not a disinfectant, it is a de-greaser. It works great for that greasy grimy build-up on floors, but it isn't actually disinfecting anything.

Mark your cleaning pail with fingernail polish to indicate the levels of water you usually use for your jobs (i.e. 1/2 gal., 1 gal.) That way you don't waste water.

When using cleansers, tear the tab back only part way. Then you only get half as much cleanser so that you don't wash as much unused cleanser down the drain.

Save on spray cleaners. Spray the solution on a rag and then wipe. This way the extra spray cleaner is not wasted and you save time by not having to rinse off the over spray.

Use fabric softener sheets to dust furniture and television screens. The sheets make your furniture smell good, but more importantly, eliminate static so dust won't be attracted to these surfaces.

All purpose/Window Cleaner

1/2 cup ammonia
2 cups rubbing alcohol
water
1 tsp. dishwashing liquid

In a one-gallon container, mix ammonia and rubbing alcohol. Fill almost to the top with water. Add dishwashing liquid and mix. Top off with water. Rated by Consumer Reports Magazine to work much better (and much cheaper) than most commercial window and kitchen sprays. Alcohol is the secret ingredient - it's what commercial window washers use.
*Safe on most, but not all, household surfaces.

I use this to clean almost everything from the bathroom to the window. This the main cleaner I use in my house.

Ready Mop Cleaner Refill

1 gallon water
1 cup ammonia
1/2 cup vinegar
water

Mix ingredients and pour use in your mops instead of buying commercial cleaner.

Tip: Use a piece of scrap fleece, scrap flannel or micro-fiber towels (purchased at automotive stores) to replace your SwiferTM or Clorox Ready MopTM disposable pads. Cut several to size to have on hand. When soiled throw in the wash and launder as usual. Note: Don't use ammonia on wood floors. Just use vinegar and water or water and Murphy's oil soap.

Daily Shower Cleaner

1/4 cup concentrated cleaner (Lysol is a good brand)
1/2 cup isopropyl alcohol
water

Pour cleaner and alcohol into quart spray bottle. Add enough water to fill. Thoroughly clean shower before using. Spray on shower daily. Use daily to prevent water deposits and soap scum.

Homemade Cleaning Wipes

1 round baby wipe container*
1 roll of paper towels**
2-4 cups cleaning solution (homemade is fine)

Recycle a used round baby wipe container. Cut a roll of paper towel in half, (an electric or serrated knife works best for this.) Remove the center cardboard. Place 1/2 of the paper towels in the baby wipe container. Pour cleaning solution into the container. (The amount will depend of the absorbency of your paper towels.) This can be used for window cleaner, all purpose cleaner, or disinfectant cleaner. Pull the first paper towel out of the center of the roll, through the hole in the container lid. If the paper towels dry out before they are all used add more solution or some water.

*If you don't have a baby wipe container, you can use a round plastic container and just drill or punch a large hole in the center of the lid.
**It is best to use expensive, thick paper towels. The cheap ones won't hold up to scrubbing.

Face/Hand Wipes

2 tablespoons liquid baby bath
2 cups water

Bathroom Wipes

1/2 cup pine cleaner
2 cups water

Window Wipes

1 cup glass cleaner
1 1/2 cups water

Outdoor Window Washer

3 Tbsp. liquid dishwashing soap
1 Tbsp. anti-spotting agent (Jet DryTM)

Put soap and anti-spotting agent into a spray bottle attachment for your garden hose. Spray upper windows and let them dry. This is for cleaning the higher windows on your house that you can't reach except with a ladder.

Tough Hand Cleaner

1/4 cup Fels Naptha*, grated
2 Tbsp. mason’s sand or pumice
1 cup water
2 cup plastic container (16 oz. cottage cheese container works great)

Place soap and water in a saucepan. Place over low heat; stir until soap is melted. After mixture cools, add mason's sand or pumice. Store in a cottage cheese container or margarine tub. Dip fingers into soap mixture and lather hands. Rinse well.

*Any grated bar of soap will work but Fels Naptha removes the stains better.

Skunk Smell Remover
1 qt. hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda
1 tsp. dish detergent

Sponge on and let dry. Safe for use on cats and dogs.

The Site That Explains It All...Fianlly!

Ever wonder how-to do something and never do it? Well now you can do just about anything with this site. We have some of the most coolest & common How-To's on the internet. And no it's not a bunch of pointless How-To stuff...it's practical everyday tips for just about everything.