Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Works For Me Wednesday

My WFMW tip this week is something I've never actually used, so I guess it technically doesn't work for me, yet... It is very facinating, and I do plan on using it someday...
Freecycle.org matches people who want to give away stuff with people who need the same stuff. It is a great idea to cut down on waste and save money. It has many different branches and is in many different countries. You just sign into your area and read what is offered, contact the person, and pick it up. Conversely, if you have something that you no longer want, you post it to Freecycle and wait for someone who wants it. They will pick it up-so you don't even have to worry about delivery.
Since I'm breaking the "rules" and giving a tip that hasn't actually worked for me, I might as well go all out and break another one. I am ASKING for a WFMW tip: can someone please help me survive all the pet hair that is overtaking our home? We have two cats and a dog, all with dark hair that has infiltrated every nook and cranny: our bedspread, our carpet, our hardwood floors, tile floors, bathroom counters, the washing machine, you name it, there is hair. I'm ready to give them away. Any suggestions?

Check out Shannon's site Rocks In My Dryer for more helpful hints!!

13 comments:

Annette said...

dealing with pet hair
I have two dogs and one cat.

1. realize there is going to be hair and relax a bit (that's the easy part!)
2. regular grooming. Seriously...for your cat since they are the worst ... one a daily if you can or at least once a week give your cat a good brushing. You can also install a cat nip thing..you stick it on the wall..they want the catnip and will groom themselves trying to get it. Do your dog at least once a month. Gather the hair and spread it around your gardens...will help keep critters out and your birds will pick it up for nests.
3. bathes help. Groom first. Give bath. Groom again. For dogs...no more than once a month since too many bathes make the problem worse
4. Sweep and vaccuum and dust regularly. Once a day at least. :)
5. Depending on your dog.. some people dress them in really light outfits when they are in the house. It's like a body suit for dogs but it for in the house. You see them at pet shows. Keeps their hair with them, and once a day you take them off (or whenever you take them for a walk) and shake them out well. See..no hair in the house!

That's just real quick and off the top of my head. I'm sure I'll have more ideas later.. write me if you need to.

Anonymous said...

I love Freecycle!

Carol said...

I don't have one, but my neighbor highly recommends the ShedEnder.

https://www.drdynamics.com/products/shedender/Default.asp?bhcp=1

As with any tool, it's only as good as the person using it, but she swears this has made her 3-dog problem much easier to deal with.

Good luck!

kel said...

I found freecycle about a year ago thinking that in my area there probably wouldnt be a big group...I was wrong there is a huge group. It is really neat.

mira said...

Freecycle is the best. I have given away lots of things I no longer need and feel so much better about that (because it goes to someone who really wants it insteaad of the landfill).

Anonymous said...

I'll have to check that out. Never heard of it or used it.

Kilikina
My Blog
Email Me

humble servant said...

Freecycle is a great WFMW tip! I have been using it for over a year and have given away a lot of our things that would have been otherwise thrown out to the curb. Definitely worth the work of posting the info on to the group - knowing your items are going to a home that will use it makes such a difference!

Anonymous said...

I didn't even know this existed! I am going to check this out, thanks for the tip!

~Nancy~ said...

There are products you can give your pets to help reduce the amount of shedding. I used to buy it at Wal Mart but cannot remember the name. It came in a tube like toothpaste and you just squeeze a recommended ribbon on the pet's tongue. It think it is an oil based, natural product that prevents dry skin, hence added hair loss. Then, of course, all of the tips about control. It is a daily thing. I just had to put my sweet Baby down last Friday....I would take MORE hair to have her back for a day! Good luck....
p.s. Regarding freecycle...LOVE it! I have been a member in my area for over a year and it is a wonderful outlet for misc things such as styrofoam peanuts which I always need for my ebay business and which cost an arm and leg in an office supply store!

Turning Japanese said...

My tip is to have less pets... Bit late for that now though. We used to have lots of hair just from Cruiser too, so maybe my tip isn't so good...

Unknown said...

Our hair does NOT compare to Cruiser hair. His was light, so it was harder to see. I think the hair at my house drives people away. Well, it DOES drive my mother-in-law away, but she is allergic to cats anyway... And really, that isn't too much of a problem! :) (i'm just kidding-i love my m.i.l!!)

~heather.s said...

When I had cats I would take them to Petsmart in the spring (when they seem to shed the most) and have them shaved.

I live in Arizona so I think they actually liked it b/c it made them cooler.

Anonymous said...

Freecycle is really cool, I love it :) I got a ton of music magazines from the past few years with some of my favourite artists in, and I got an electric typerwriter, too :)