r2i forum

Folks,

Let's use this thread to post 'tips and tricks' that we may want to share w/ others.

This is a general purpose MT that does not preclude discussion on any category, however we urge you to use the following existing MT/FVT for appliance/electronics/TV

MT: Electronics, Appliances (R2I General) -- This threads can be used to discuss items one want to carry to India, voltage options, for TV, PAL/NTSC systems, supportive power supplies, adopters, availability of such items in India.

General Tips and Tricks on TVs -- Great thread for TV related discussion

Tips on using the 'tips' MT
Please use the 'quote' feature to cross-reference posts.
Refrain from digressing from tips/tricks
Concise posts would better serve the purpose of this thread

How to block out the airplane engine noise on flights?
a) Bose noise-eliminating headphones
b) Foam earplugs that can be purchased at most pharmacies. Compress the tip of the plug, insert the tip in the ear and let it expand. This will take away more than 75% of the noise and it is cheap.

How to clean wine spills from carpets?
Use club soda to wipe instead of water. Works very well on still-wet spills.

Roach control?
Mix one part Boric acid powder (Carrom board powder) w/ four parts all purpose flour and 2 tbl spoon sugar with water and make thick paste (like Chapati dough). Stick this dough where the Roachs frequent and out of the reach of children and pets.

Disclaimer: Boric acid powder is a pesticide and can be harmful if ingested. Avoid using Boric acid powder around the house. However, if you must, don't hold me responsible for any discomfort to any living being - including the roach!

In the previous R2IClub I mentioned that ZoneAlarm Internet Suite was the top rated anti virus/firewall and spyware as a suite, but it had heavy CPU usage. Lately I found that the antivirus was not catching some trojan horses esp in www.chennaionline.com and messing up my PC continuosly. I moved to McAfee Suite and have to say it works like a charm, needs less attention unlike ZA, caught those spywares, and best of all uses far far less CPU and memory. My PC now behaves like a new one.

BottomLine:
1. Do not use ZoneAlarm, rather use McAfee.
2. Be careful when you visit desi sites like chennaionline.com and newinspress.com which carry lots of ads as well as trojans and spwares.

Dosa tawa, tadaka kadai, etc. build up gunk over time if not scrubbed and cleaned after each use.

An easy way to get rid of the built up gunk is to heat the tawa on a high flame until it overheats and begins to "smoke" nicely. The high heat loosens the gunk. It comes off very easily when scrapped off w/ a spatula (when the gridle is still hot).

(Use plastic spatula while scrapping the gunk off of a non-stick tawa. Using an oven mitt will help prevent heat burns, watch out for that smoke alarm)

Suffering from common cold - Try hot water + tea + lime + lots honey and drink it real hot [no milk]
Want a long life Razor? - Blow hot air using hair dryer into the razor blades immediately after use, the residual rust causing water-droplets evaporate also blows away small fringes too
Smelly Shooes? - Yes gotta wash socks no escape there ;) also try spraying deo/anti-perspirant inside the shoe
peel a boild egg - Simple, just break open [make a hole] on the top and bottom of the egg, and blow air from one end, Egg just slips out leaving the shell
carpet cleaning - Use a tough broom [this removes the stubborn hair, any stick plastic stuff], vaccum later --> saves current and time


Do you have any?

Not a big fan of cleaning stove tops (especially after tough burnt grease has accumulated on it)? - cover the whole goddamn thing with aluminum foil before using it.

Chew gum, while driving long distance. Keeps you awake.

when folding socks, make an inside out bundle of the pair. they stay together & you save time when you are rushing to office.

How to Peel an Egg video.

yuck, I would not want to serve that egg to someone after blowing on it to deshell it.