Tuesday 29 May 2012

As Cool As A Cucumber

Whilst I was working on my book The Greatest Guide to Green Living (available as an eBook and a physical book) I collected the best hints and tips for reducing, recycling and reusing as I could find. I also found uses for everyday items for example I discovered baking soda and vinegar are great items to help you clean your home and help cut down on the use of cleaning chemicals.

I am still an avid collector of such useful tips and thankfully family and friends still send them to me. I recently recieived an email from a friend containing tips for alternate uses for the humble cucumber. Although I've only tested the results for tips one and five (both of which worked for me) I still wanted to share them with you. So here are five of the most useful tips she sent me:

One:
Fed up with your bathroom mirror misting up each time you enjoy a hot bath or shower? Then cut yourself a slice of cucumber (or use the end you would normally put into the composter), rub over the mirrors surface then buff with a soft cloth or tissue. It should cut down on the this annoying little problem.

Two:
Do you love your garden but hate to use chemicals to wage war on those bugs and slugs that are eating your plants? If you place a few slices of cucumber in an aluminium tin those little critters will move next door. Apparently the chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminium and this reaction gives off a revolting scent humans can't smell but garden pests can.

Three:
Rather than reach for the shoe polish reach for a cucumber. Cut a slice of cucumber and rub over your shoes for a quick shine that also repels water. Obviously this does not work on suede or similar textured surfaces and doing a small test patch first is always advisable when trying something new.

Four:
That squeaky door hinge driving you crazy? Rub the offending hinge with a slice of cucumber and the problem should be solved.

Five:
Sinks and taps in need of a shine? Again reach for that cucumber. Slice, rub then buff with a soft cloth or tissue and your taps and sinks will regain some of their lustre.

As I've already said I've only had a chance to try tips one and five and found they worked for me. If you decide to try any of the above please note I take no responsibility for the results.

However if you try any please let me know the results (good or bad), so I can update this post.