Comments on: Buy Nothing 2018 Experiment – January Update

By: Mrs.Wow

Mrs.Wow — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 19:05:47 +0000

I totally had the same rabbit hole thing happen yesterday while working in the garden. Mr.Wow had already raked and then I decided that one area needed a little more TLC. About midway through that area I looked to my right and noticed that that area needed some attention. Then it was over there and there and almost an hour later, I was still going. Luckily mine didn’t cost anything (except time), but I eventually just had to stop otherwise I would have kept going and going.

Sounds like your first “no-buy month” was ultimately a success. Congrats!

By: TheHappyPhilosopher

TheHappyPhilosopher — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 16:47:29 +0000

In reply to jagruenkeJennifer. Yeah, this stuff was like 15+ years old...ineffective.

By: TheHappyPhilosopher

TheHappyPhilosopher — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 16:36:23 +0000

In reply to RocDoc. Hahaha, yeah it's dangerous to start improving things. We experienced this when we started buying our first set of "nice" furniture. The existing stuff (which was perfectly fine) started looking shabby next to the new pieces and pretty soon we made the furniture stores a lot of money ;)

By: TheHappyPhilosopher

TheHappyPhilosopher — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 16:34:00 +0000

In reply to The Rhino. This is useful information. I now officially declare you my new grout consultant :) The Oxyclean worked pretty good, but I will try your mixture next time. I have a feeling the grout will start looking terrible again within a year. We use the kitchen pretty hard.

By: jagruenkeJennifer

jagruenkeJennifer — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 14:15:03 +0000

Grout does expire. The date of manufacture should be on the bottom of the bag, and it should be used within one year. The problem is that it absorbs water from the air.

By: The Rhino

The Rhino — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 20:41:07 +0000

In reply to Accidental FIRE. That crud could be limescale. What you can do is soak some old rags in a citric acid solution. Wrap it around the area then wrap cling film round the lot. Leave overnight. Give it a scrub with an old tooth brush next morning. With any luck the limescale will come away leaving it a lot clearer to get a spanner on..

By: The Rhino

The Rhino — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 20:35:17 +0000

Yes, grout does go off. Best get it fresh. Also better to buy powder and mix yourself rather than pre mixed.

What you can do to clean existing grout is mix bleach and sodium bicarbonate into a paste.

Apply paste to grout lines with an old tooth brush and leave overnight.

Rinse off in the morning. If all goes well will look a lot better..

By: RocDoc

RocDoc — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 18:48:12 +0000

This post had me laughing so much! I loved the grout story and I know exactly what you mean about improving one thing that makes other things in the house look worse. I guess the best plan for us OCD types is to just let everything go to pot in the house and just buy a new house once we can’t stand it anymore. I liked the “I blame my parents.” My brother and sister and I have fun joking about blaming the parents for everything, even things that parents have absolutely no control over. I guess it’s a sibling bonding thing. Fun post!

By: Accidental FIRE

Accidental FIRE — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 16:20:15 +0000

In reply to TheHappyPhilosopher. Got it, that's my problem. As much as I want to conquer it and get the DIY satisfaction, I'm strongly leaning toward surrender and just getting the plumber. I hate surrendering but oh well

By: TheHappyPhilosopher

TheHappyPhilosopher — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 15:53:12 +0000

In reply to Dads Dollars Debts. Hahaha, that darn grout! Took my kitchen down for a few days...