Good old Maine How to..... (Portland, Auburn: buy, organic, cost)

[AliceT]

Originally Posted by starwalker

did yours STAY STUCK?? When we built the small house I designed, in the 70s in CO, my dad insisted on the self-stick kind... and the ones by the doors didn't stay stuck, broke off.. it was a disaster.

Mine did, yes, but that's relative. One floor has been down barely 2 years and the other has been down less than one. So I don't really have any long-term results for you.

Originally Posted by starwalker

Also that was at the beginning of the "textured tile" thing.. these were DEEPLY textured and I didn't get a chance to put down a real "no wax floor finish" on them before we had to move in.. on a snowy day.. it snowed over the UNfrozen earth.. there was so much mud in the texture that even changing water every 6 tiles, going over it three times, on hands and knees I could not get it clean. Can you tell I hated that floor?? LOL

One of the floors I put down had a wood grain appearance to make it look like a wood floor. Here is a picture. Mind you that I was not taking a picture of the foor, so bear that in mind.

Originally Posted by starwalker

with the critters I am not a fan of carpet (rugs you can wash, yeah... ) either. not even on cold floors.. that is what sheepskin lined boots and slippers are for.

There is much more to life than housework, so it's my idea to make it as quick and easy to clean as possible.

I'm with you on both counts.

[BacktoNE]

Originally Posted by Maine Writer

I have 16 cases of floor tiles sitting in the diningroom. They scare me!

Oh! I can do tile

I just can't make soap or lotion when it's so easy to buy.

[Cornerguy1]

then spray the rails with WD-40 if they aren't sliding too smoothly.

Ahhh, WD-40, travelling companion to duct tape.

The only problem with WD-40 on some patio door tracks is that it will lift any kind oif grease or oil from the ridges. This can lead to tell-tale black stripes on the socks or shoes of any who steps on the threshhold. Then there's the very distinctive WD-40 smell to deal with.

Consider taking an ordinary white candle and rubbing the track ridges with it........no smell and no residue.

[McMar]

Originally Posted by Cornerguy1

Consider taking an ordinary white candle and rubbing the track ridges with it........no smell and no residue.

Great idea, and much better for the environment.

[moughie]

Originally Posted by Cornerguy1

Ahhh, WD-40, travelling companion to duct tape.

The only problem with WD-40 on some patio door tracks is that it will lift any kind oif grease or oil from the ridges. This can lead to tell-tale black stripes on the socks or shoes of any who steps on the threshhold. Then there's the very distinctive WD-40 smell to deal with.

Consider taking an ordinary white candle and rubbing the track ridges with it........no smell and no residue.

Great idea!
That's why they pay you the big bucks

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by AliceT

The site I used when I first started making soap was millersoaps.com I disagree that it's as easy as cooking as you should always wear safety goggles when mixing the lye/water. That stuff gets seriously hot and creates dangerous fumes if you are doing it in an enclosed area. Children and pets should be safely away from the area at the time of mixing the lye and water. Lye should always be added slowly to the water, not the water to the lye. Lye can react violently if you try to add the water to it. Always add the lye to water - slowly.

Yes, you have to be careful, but being careful isn't difficult. We're careful with a stove, boiling water, hot oil and knives and probably don't have kids and pets in the kitchen when we're cooking.

Cyndi Muller has soap information on her website. She's been making soap for quite a while. For anyone looking for soap books, beware of books that talk about curing, pouring water into lye or neutralizing lye with vinegar. Those are beginner mistakes written by soap makers who didn't have enough personal experience to write a book using first hand knowledge. When soap making became the current fad about 10 years ago a lot of people jumped on the wagon and wrote books much too soon.

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by McMar

Tiling is not so tough, MW. Although I will say it's a killer on the back! I recommend renting or buying a good tile saw - well worth the $$$. I did about 3 tub surrounds, 4 bathroom floors, and 2 kitchen floors with the $88 saw they sell at Home Depot. It worked just fine, but now that I've upgraded to the $250 model that I borrowed from a friend, there's no going back. I've spoiled myself.

If you get the urge to do another floor just let me know! My BIL bought a nice tile saw when he put down his kitchen floor and has offered to let me borrow it. I'm a little concerned about spacing the tiles correctly, getting them straight and getting them level. Once I get started and learn how to do this I think it'll be ok.

[Abbymoulton]

Alice Thank you for the helpful soap formula. I have never even tried to do this...Can't wait to give it a try.

[AlisonL]

Originally Posted by BacktoNE

Oh! I can do tile

I just can't make soap or lotion when it's so easy to buy.

What you buy isn't really soap though. Its full of detergents and other additives. Unless, of course, you are buying homemade soap. I have not used store bought "soap" in years. My favorite is made by a lady in Auburn and its called Maine Blueberry. Smells almost good enough to eat.

[elston]

Originally Posted by AlisonL

What you buy isn't really soap though. Its full of detergents and other additives. Unless, of course, you are buying homemade soap. I have not used store bought "soap" in years. My favorite is made by a lady in Auburn and its called Maine Blueberry. Smells almost good enough to eat.

At our local farmers market there is a local lady who makes and sells soaps. Folks might want to look at a farmers market near you.