Comments on: Savings Under the Kitchen Sink

By: K.C.

K.C. — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:26:03 +0000

When I look under the kitchen sink I realize all of the work I have put into it over the last 25 years, including replacing the sink, re-plumbing to remove a broken garbage disposal (didn’t want to pay to replace it), replaced water lines (twice), and rebuilt or replaced faucets several times. All in all, I imagine I’ve saved hundreds in labor by doing the work myself. It doesn’t leak, either:).

By: LoriBeth

LoriBeth — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 21:54:14 +0000

Great tip I read somewhere re: the old toothbrushes, use a bit of colored tape (painter’s tape/duct tape) on the handle. That way you won’t ever get those confused with the real toothbrushes, or you can specify what jobs they are for. I have one for kitchen use and one for cleaning the turtle aquarium plants. Yeah, yuck if they get switched!

By: MoneyStar

MoneyStar — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 05:22:42 +0000

My flatmate and I will take a look tomorrow :)

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 23:28:48 +0000

How could that not freeze at 10 below?

I also remember something from car talk years ago about not using windex on your windshield.

By: Riki

Riki — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 22:05:19 +0000

Amanda – I’m pretty sure Trent’s recipe will freeze. I always go with commercial winshield fluid. It is NOT expensive, so why risk it?

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 19:40:49 +0000

I was cleaning out under my bathroom sink this morning so very fitting topic!

Also, good idea to weekly clean the drains with baking soda and vinegar then follow with boiling water.

Trent, question about making your own windshield washing fluid. It’s been -10 here this week. Will the water really not freeze and ruin my car? I’d rather pay $3 for a jug of store bought than pay $100 on a stupid repair…

The recipe I read says 1/2 water, 1/2 vinegar, 2-3 squirts window cleaner. What does the last part mean? What kind of window cleaner, windex style? Then, is it 2-3 squirts from the sprayer?

Thanks!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 19:34:40 +0000

Trent–

could you share what type of water filter you use? Perhaps how you decided on your specific type would be a good topic for a post…

By: KC

KC — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:32:06 +0000

If you have a garbage disposal definitely put those rags or some type of water catching item under there. Disposals go out about every 10 years and they only way you know is it leaks. You are much more likely to have a garbage disposal die than you will plumbing problems. The leak is slow and not noticeable until you have a lot of water underneath your sink. I was lucky I had an old soap dish under there that caught a lot of the water and alerted me to the problem.

By: PF

PF — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:24:05 +0000

I was searching under the sink for a new sponge this morning, and when I went to stand up I held on to what I thought was a decorative handle at the front of the sink. Turns out it is a draw that opens like a car’s glove compartment. Low and behold, sponges, ivory bar soap, a few quarters, and a toothbrush! Who knows what else my mother in-law has hidden around the house?

By: Andi

Andi — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:22:54 +0000

Word to the wise – make sure what you store under the sink will not be ruined in the event of a leak . . .

By: Money Beagle

Money Beagle — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 14:13:07 +0000

One additional thing that works is to, as you did, pull everything out and take inventory of it. Chances are you’re going to forget all about one or two of the items and end up wasting money or resources on something else when you could have used what’s under your sink (or wherever you keep useful supplies like this)