Renovating Houses and Condos

Lighter Fluid: The Best Label and Scuff Mark Remover


The first time my husband saw me scrubbing the black heel marks off of our kitchen floor with a toothbrush, he said, "You know lighter fluid will take those marks right off." And it did! No scrubbing at all, just a little lighter fluid poured on a paper towel, and the marks wiped right off.

So what kind of lighter fluid? I purchased mine at the grocery store in the aisle where the picnic and barbecue items are located, right next to the lighter fluid you buy for your barbecue briquets. It came in a small plastic squeeze bottle that cost less than $2.

You can use lighter fluid on a variety of surfaces, first testing a less noticeable spot to make sure it won't do any damage. It's great on most floors, plastic, vinyl, some wood surfaces, basically anything you can dab it on and wipe off again.

Lighter fluid will remove labels and adhesive from almost any surface. When we got our new refrigerator it had strapping tape stuck all over it. The lighter fluid took it right off. I've also used it to take stickers off of book covers. It removes crayon marks from most surfaces and also removes grease and oil stains.

I haven't tried this myself, but someone told me they poured a little lighter fluid on an area of clothing that had been stained by cooking oil, and the stain came right out in the wash. Try this at your own risk, but she swears it works. You can also use it to remove the black scuff marks on the rubber soles of your shoes, and to remove gum from most surfaces.

Don't forget that lighter fluid is highly flammable and should be used with care. It is also inexpensive, easy to find, and you'll find so many uses for it you won't be able to live without it.

Originally published at Suite 101. Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom who is the author of What's for Dinner?, an e-cookbook containing more than 250 quick easy dinner ideas. For recipes, tips to organize your home, home decorating, crafts, holiday hints, and more, visit Creative Homemaking at http://www.creativehomemaking.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Do-It-Yourself Home Improvement Made Simple
CBS News
... the projects will also be featured in their new show called "This New House," which will showcase the latest and greatest products in home improvement. ...
'This New House' duo teams for Hub-centric DIY showBoston Herald

all 5 news articles »


Cops: Irish nationals peddled bogus home improvement business in South Brunswick
myCentralJersy.com
But police soon discovered he allegedly was distributing fliers for a home-improvement company called Top Soil, which purportedly was based in New Brunswick ...

and more »


Home Improvement Market to boost despite economic slowdown
I-Newswire.com (press release)
(I-Newswire) July 29, 2010 - Home improvement is one of the most required things in everybody's life. It is important for every person to repair his home. ...



MyFox Philadelphia

'Questionable' Home Improvement Contractors Pursued In Pennsylvania
Consumer Affairs
"Home improvement rip-offs impact every community across our state, taking money out of the pockets of homeowners and also victimizing the honest, ...
Consumer protection lawsuit filed against Kutztown roofing companyBoyertown Berk Montgomery Newspapers
Berks contractor among those sued by state AGPottstown Mercury
Corbett dips a toe in old controversyPhiladelphia Inquirer
Allentown Morning Call -MyFox Philadelphia -Delaware County Daily Times
all 16 news articles »


Black & Decker, Masco Forecasts Signal Slow Confidence Recovery
Bloomberg
Masco, a maker of home improvement products, this week said consumer spending on remodeling will be “challenged” in 2010. Toolmaker Stanley on July 21 said ...

and more »


Discover the Best Out of Handymate
I-Newswire.com (press release)
They can cater all important aspects of home improvement services as well as general building services such as painting and decorating home and buildings, ...



Pottstown Herald

Statewide wave of legal actions against home improvement contractors
Pottstown Herald
“Every year, homeowners across the state spend millions of dollars on home repair and home improvement projects,” Attorney General Tom Corbett today said. ...

and more »


Builders Merchants Journal

Travis Perkins Resumes Dividend, Sees Modest Market Growth
Wall Street Journal
LONDON (Dow Jones)--UK builders' merchant and home improvement retailer Travis Perkins PLC (TPK.LN) Thursday said it has resumed payment of ...
INTERVIEW: Travis Perkins Sees Slowdown On Consumer CautionWall Street Journal
Travis Perkins resumes dividendsFinancial Times

all 25 news articles »


Daily Mail

B&Q Seeks Home Improvement
Wall Street Journal (blog)
Kingfisher, Europe's largest home improvement retailer, failed to keep investors happy after it reported a drop in quarterly sales and gave a cautious ...
Kingfisher Sales Decline as Britons Reduce Spending on Bathrooms, KitchensBloomberg
Kingfisher comparable sales drop 0.8%MarketWatch
Kingfisher Q2 Like-for-Like Sales Down 0.8% - UpdateRTT News
Retailmoves
all 67 news articles »


DIYnetwork.com's New ''Home Improvement 101'' Teaches Homeowners How to ...
BuildingOnline
... DIYnetwork.com has unveiled a new Home Improvement 101 package with hundreds of ideas and tips to help increase home value and keep it in tip-top shape. ...


Google News


Home | Forums | Blog | Site Map
© Real Estate Pays 2006