Habits
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I keep a pad of paper on the dining table where I have breakfast every day. On that tablet I keep a running list of things to do. I’ve been informed that old guys do this and it clicks.
Sharon thinks the tablet and pen look messy and puts them in a drawer. I compromised by changing to a little leather covered notebook and a nicer looking pen. Now she only puts them in the drawer when we have guests.
Do you make lists? Do you find that adding a task to the list is like 89% as satisfying as performing the task? Is a list kept in a leather covered notebook more compelling than one kept on a yellow legal pad? Or is the list on the yellow pad more compelling because you can’t close the cover?
My SIL was appalled to learn that I store a roll of trash bags in the wastebasket where the bags will be used, a trick I learned from janitorial services. He finds the practice unsanitary, I think it’s OK because the outside of the bag stays clean enough.
Do you keep extra bags in your trash cans?
My friend was shocked to learn that I might wear a pair of cargo shorts or jeans for a week or more. If they don’t look dirty or stink I see no reason to launder them. Socks and undies, yes. Cargo shorts no. Shirts are kind if a gray area (laundering frequency, not the shirts themselves), depending on whether or not I actually did anything that day.
Do you launder every article of clothing each time you wear it? What are your criteria?
My sister is on a crusade to get everyone to make their own cleaning products, involving mostly vinegar, baking soda, and ammonia. She finds commercial products over priced and damaging to the environment. I can’t be bothered.
Do you make your own cleaning products? Which ones and why?
What are your habits that others might find odd?
@Steve-Miller said in Habits:
Do you keep extra bags in your trash cans?
Absolutely, though I don't keep a whole roll in there, just half a dozen or so. When those are gone, if it seems like it could use it, I wipe out the inside of the garbage can with a bit of soapy water that I swish around, dump out, and rinse the can. Replenish with a new supply of bags.
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@ShiroKuro Same here, except we use a microfiber cloth and don't have a squeegee. We started doing it in the vacation home, which had much harder water that left spots on everything especially the shiny chrome faucets; it was almost impossible to get the minerals off even with commercial cleaners. Wiping down with each use solved the problem with much less cost and effort than the chemicals. We started doing it at home and find we have no soap scum in the shower or tub, and the chrome plumbing fixtures always look perfectly clean.
I like the clean-as-you-go approach...
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@Steve-Miller said in Habits:
Do you make your own cleaning products? Which ones and why?
Years ago I bought a book on making your own cleaning products. There was one recipe for a scrub that used baking soda, Dr Bronner's soap and some other ingredients I don't recall that was actually pretty good. Don't recall the title and the book was donated to the library. Guess that tells you I don't make my own anymore. If I remember the title of the book I'll try to find the recipe. I would bother to make it again.
We do use straight vinegar for a lot of things, including as a fabric softener in the washer instead of Downy.
I'll try to find the recipe
I think this was pretty much it. It's a DIY Soft Scrub. Dr Bronner's castile soap comes in a bunch of scents, so you can choose what you like. Or unscented...
Ingredients
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup castile soap or Sal Suds – see my explanation above
1 TB hydrogen peroxide
1 large jar with a lid or Mason Jar, the jar pictured is a Weck Jar.
Instructions
In a medium-size bowl, combine the baking soda, castile soap or Sal Suds, and hydrogen peroxide. Stir until the scrub cleaner looks like thick glue.
Spoon the scrub cleaner in a large jar with a lid. Seal the jar. This cleaner will harden when exposed to air for a prolonged period of time. The scrub cleaner can be used immediately and kept at room temperature (in a sealed jar) for several months.:
https://livesimply.me/diy-homemade-scrub-cleaner-like-soft-scrub/
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Yes on lists. I usually use my phone so I always have it.
I have done that with trash bags. How sanitary does trash have to be?
I wear cargo shorts (90% of the time year round) three or four days in a row but only because I work out in them. Otherwise a week would be possible. T-shirts generally only get one day. Button down shirts can be worn two or three times depending on what I do in them and whether i hang them up. if they don't feel fresh in the wash they go. Socks and underwear one day only.
I don't usually make my own cleaner, except for the shower door. just a little vinegar solution.
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I came across this recipe for toilet bowl bombs this evening. I love her voice, it's perfect for what she does, and she has a lot of good videos. Aussie, obviously. (Oops, my bad. She's a New Zealander.)
Link to video
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Oooh I'll have to try this. . .
Link to video
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Well, I'll answer your topics in order.
I'm an old guy! I am in the habit of making lists and writing notes about everything I need to do and will need to do in the future. Every single day.
I no longer have a desk in my room because I replaced it with a locking file cabinet that takes up the same space.
I have a variety of systems. Too many.
I have a cheap leather date book. A spiral notebook. A clipboard. Lined paper. Plain white letter sized paper. Paper folders. A planner. No calendar.
I write lists of things to do, things to buy, finances, things that I need to do in the future, information about appointments, ad nauseum.
I couldn't function without this system. Calling it a system might be too generous.
I have pens-- black, red, orange, blue and green. I have pencils-- one sharpened at any given time with a cheap plastic pencil sharpener.
My room is much too small for an office/ study but I'll have one if I get the opportunity.
Good topic!
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I have spray bottles with various amounts of rubbing alcohol/ water, vinegar/ water, and Dawn/ water.
Other than that I buy products with any chemical you can think of except ammonia.
I buy fragrance free laundry soap--same brands, just the "free and clear" versions.
I don't like the smell of industrial perfumes.
Other habits? I don't know. I think people are creatures of habit so probably so!
