Floorguy, Thanks for your response. could your recommend any specific machine that I can buy to do that economically or I should just hire a professional in stead? I search on the web and the only high temp, steam cleaner is something like this Wagner 915 1,500-Watt On-Demand Power Steamer and Cleaner. Thanks for your advice. Rich

When I used a homemade laundry soap mixtures in the past (I've used it longer than the Duggers have been around - off and on since the 1980's - and in one episode of the Duggers I noticed giant bottles of TIDE in use..... I guess that episode was brought to us by TIDE - LOL). I also used vinegar in each rinse to aid in removing the soap residue. Since switching to Charlie's Soap, I only put vinegar in the rinse for kitchen towels and bath towels since they may have soap residue from use and the vinegar rinse would aid in removing any soap left. I probably don't need vinegar at all, but when we got new water hoses for our F/P, I asked if there was anything I could do to help prevent repairs and they said to use vinegar in the rinse. Then he explained what part it would help (but I don't remember now what it was). So I continue to add vinegar to those two loads. I never use fabric softeners - sheets or liquids. Even dried on a line our clothes and towels are soft. Just an FYI moment concerning using the homemade mixtures (bar soap, washing soda, borax, etc...). Soap WILL build-up on your clothes after a period of time, especially if you have hard water. This build-up will cause fabric to deteriorate. Homemade soap mixtures don't work effectively in cold water (detergent manufacturers and care labels define cold water as 80-85°F - our cold water from the tap is currantly 62°F). Whites will start to look gray. -Grainlady

I use various size boxes in home, in vehicle, and RV and on ATVs for fire extinguisher. I have them placed all over the house (a few in larger rooms) including the garage and in the sheds. The stuff will put out every kind of fire. This I know by experience. Lil

I had a drain that was almost 100% clogged. I could have gotten under the sink and disconnected the drain plug from its apparatus but I choose to use baking soda and vinegar instead. I did not use salt as directed above. Because the drain plug is securely fastened to the underside of the pipes, I have a very narrow space to get the baking soda down the drain so I just dumped it and then poured vinegar on top. When the vinegar level wasn't going down I used a toothpick to poke holes in the mixture which helped it move down into the drain. I then let it sit for about 15 mins. and followed with hot water. This pipe was near 100% clogged with hair and soap residue; no unusual foreign objects were blocking the water flow. While it did take a few applications to get the drain to open up, it is draining much better now. I had to stop because I used all the vinegar I had in the house! Don't knock something unless you've tried it!