Oily Rag: Nifty thrifty cleaning solutions you will love

Here are some thrifty tips from the readers to readers.Photo/Thinkstock

Fruga people tend to ask a lot of questions. Here are a few you may be able to help with.

Melsy from Auckland says, "Have just joined your site and spent a good part of the day reading all the money-saving tips - so many of us out there are trying to live off the smell of an oily rag.

"I have a question: years ago I was given a banana tree that has grown big but when I cut it back my clothes got covered in banana sap stains - any suggestions for removing them?

Graeme from Christchurch writes: "I have bought some new towels that only smear the water, not absorb it. I did hear a long time ago you could put something in the wash water to get rid of the manufacturing dressing on the towels, but I can't remember what it was. I was wondering if anyone could help me make my towels absorbent?"

And Busy Mum from Auckland asks: "The new recommendations suggest children should have 10 servings of fruit and veges a day, does anyone have tips on how to achieve this on a low-cost budget?"

Write to us at oilyrag.co.nz if you can help Melsy, Graeme, or Busy Mum with their questions - or if you have your own you'd like help with.

Now to some questions that other readers have answered - all recently posted on our website.

Q."I have an excess of nashi pears. Has anyone got some good tips? I thought about jam but not sure what to put with them." - Viv from Masterton

A.Jinny from Palmerston North replies: "I use our excess in baking instead of apples, or preserve them as I would pears, etc. Chopped up small and used in apple, cinnamon and sultana muffins is one of our kids' favourites."

Q."How do other folk keep cups and mugs clean? I truly hate seeing the insides of cups dirty, but need a quick and easy solution." - Lee from Rotorua

A.There were lots of replies to this one. Maria says: "For years, I have been putting a 'tiny' amount of bleach into glasses, coffee mugs, vases - then fill with water to remove stains. You do not need a 'dollop' and it doesn't take very long - then wash as usual. I have no dishwasher and I always put a drop or two in the sink when doing dishes. Keeps the dish cloth white plus the white drain pipe nice. Great for grease, too." Canny Scot from Christchurch suggests sprinkling salt in the cups and rubbing with a damp cloth. Others have recommended using baking soda instead of salt.

Q."I am a bachelor and find that my clothes always smell musty. What do I use to keep them smelling nice?" - Lee from Rotorua

A.Bernie from Christchurch replies: "To keep your clothes smelling sweet, store cakes of soap in your drawers. Not only do they make your clothes smell nice but the soap matures and hardens on storage and has a longer life when it is finally used."

Q."What can I do to make my washing smell nice without spending a fortune on conditioner?" - Chris from Tirau

A. Ann from Matamata suggests using leftover perfume or aftershave as a fabric freshener. Kla from Stratford adds a few drops of essential oils to her washing load - or she puts a couple of drops on a clean rag or face-cloth and adds to the dryer with her load. LAJ from Sydney reckons a few drops of tea tree oil in your wash will make it smell fresh and lovely - and have the added benefit of being antibacterial. And Motel Owner from Whakatane has this tip of the trade: "Buy baking soda from Bin Inn and add to wash with laundry powder. You can also reduce the amount of laundry powder by about a fifth as baking soda is also a cleaner. I use equal amounts of baking soda and laundry powder."

If you have a favourite recipe or oily rag tip that works well for your family, send it to us at www.oilyrag.co.nz, or by writing to Living off the Smell of an Oily Rag, PO Box 984, Whangarei, and we will relay it to the readers of this column.