Going green... and salty!

My love for old things has left its mark on my kitchen counters.  I had a metal bucket with flowers sitting in the corner (actually trying to cover a stain that was there when we moved in) and when I moved it, there was a terrible rust ring on my counter.  Eeeeeeek!!  I tried to scrub it off but it was NOT coming off!  So, what did I do?  I put an old lamp over it!  Problem solved... or was it?!?! When I moved the lamp to clean under it, there was yet another rust ring!  Geeeez!  

 

I tried cleaning it with CLR, bleach (not together), soft scrub... you name it. NOTHING would save my poor counters. They would be permanently scared.   :-(  I sadly admitted defeat...   

Well... I was surfing today (on the computer, not the water... that's sooo not something anyone wants to see me try!) Anyway, I came across some great sites that listed a bunch of "green recipes". One in particular called EarthEasy caught my eye. Make my own laundry soap for pennies? Heck yea! Carpet cleaner without chemicals... I'm in! As my eyes scrolled down, there it was... RUST REMOVER! Could it be???? 


What magic potion is this? Reading... reading... "Sprinkle a little salt on the rust, squeeze a lime over the salt until it is well soaked. Leave the mixture on for 2 - 3 hours." That's it? Salt and lime juice??!! No way that would work... would it?  I HAD to try!   

 







I pulled out my salt and lime...

  


 

I sprinkled on a thick layer of salt and then squeezed every bit of juice that lime had out.  Unhappy with it, I got out my "fake lime" juice and gave it another squirt.  Then some more salt.

I waited about an hour and had to see what was going on.  I could scrub some off!!!  I quickly covered it back up with the magic potion and let it set another 45 minutes or so.  After a little scrubbing... Ta-da!!!!  It's gone!  

You can still see a faint bit of color here and there, but for the most part, it's gone! The stain that was there... STILL THERE!  Darn it!  At least it looks better than it did! 

So, if you have a rusty stain (I can't be the only one!!), bust out the lime and salt!



Have a fabulous day!

Loaf Pan Organizer - MY version

Good morning to you!!... or good evening if it's already night time!

A few weeks ago I came across a picture of a tin loaf pan organizer and fell in love!  After tracking it down, it looks like it actually came from www.ReadyMade.com, which is fabulous! There are two versions posted on their site.  One was posted by Lisa Gerber and the other, a remake by ReadyMade.

Well... I just HAD to have one, but I wanted a few modifications.  I added a little wooden shelf that I made from a piece of fence panel.  I think it turned out adorable! What do you think? 

 

How to make

Supplies:
- 3 old metal loaf pans
- 2 equal lengths of chain
- 6 S hooks
- 2 pieces of wood, equal in length (equal to or greater than the length of your pans)
- drill w/ 1/4" drill bit and screw bit
- 2 90 degree angle brackets
- 6 short screws (1/2")
- 4 long screws (1")
- Paint: color of your choice (optional)
- Paint brush (optional)

Directions
- Paint your wood pieces now if you plan on painting them.
- Attach the two pieces of wood together using your brackets and small screws.
- Drill two holes, one on each side of the pan, 1" from the edge of the tin and close to the top edge.
- Measure the distance between these two holes and repeat on each tin.
- Attach the chain to the shelf using small screws. Chains should be spaced apart the same size as the holes in your tins.
- Attach the pans to the chains using your S hooks.

Tips:
- It's easier to make if you mount the shelf to the wall after you make it and then attach everything.
- If you want to secure your pans to the wall (I did), use a screw in the bottom curve of the pan.
- If you want more security, you can always screw the bottom of the chains to the wall.


If you would like to make one of these and need any help, just send me an email with any questions.  If you do make one, I would LOVE to see it!

Have a fabulous day!!!