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Lighter Fluid: The Best Label and Scuff Mark
Remover
by Rachel Paxton - rachel@creativehomemaking.com
The
first time my husband saw me scrubbing the black heel marks off of our kitchen
floor with a toothbrush, he said, "You know lighter fluid will take those marks
right off." And it did! No scrubbing at all, just a little lighter fluid poured
on a paper towel, and the marks wiped right off.
So what kind of lighter
fluid? I purchased mine at the grocery store in the aisle where the picnic and
barbecue items are located, right next to the lighter fluid you buy for your
barbecue briquets. It came in a small plastic squeeze bottle that cost less than
$2.
You can use lighter fluid on a variety of surfaces, first testing a
less noticeable spot to make sure it won't do any damage. It's great on most
floors, plastic, vinyl, some wood surfaces, basically anything you can dab it on
and wipe off again.
Lighter fluid will remove labels and adhesive from
almost any surface. When we got our new refrigerator it had strapping tape stuck
all over it. The lighter fluid took it right off. I've also used it to take
stickers off of book covers. It removes crayon marks from most surfaces and also
removes grease and oil stains.
I haven't tried this myself, but someone
told me they poured a little lighter fluid on an area of clothing that had been
stained by cooking oil, and the stain came right out in the wash. Try this at
your own risk, but she swears it works. You can also use it to remove the black
scuff marks on the rubber soles of your shoes, and to remove gum from most
surfaces.
Don't forget that lighter fluid is highly flammable and should
be used with care. It is also inexpensive, easy to find, and you'll find so many
uses for it you won't be able to live without it.
Rachel Paxton is a
freelance writer and mom who is the author of What's for Dinner?, an e-cookbook
containing more than 250 quick easy dinner ideas. For recipes, tips to organize
your home, home
decorating, crafts, and frugal family fun, visit Creative
Homemaking at http://www.creativehomemaking.com
and Suite 101 at http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/creative_homemaking.
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