bits and bobs: A random assortment of things; small remaining pieces and things
With the temperature hovering around 10 degrees yesterday I decided to put on my sneakers and drive to the mall to get some exercise. Last week The Girl went with me and we walked just over 9 miles around the mall {I wanted to go for a half marathon but she said NO}.
To put it mildly, she did not enjoy walking around the mall as much as I did and said she won’t be going back. 😉 The funny thing is though, I can’t stand malls {when there are a bunch of shoppers in them}, but walking around in the early morning hours before all the shops open with the senior crowd is actually kind of amusing.
There are so many things to learn…. Like where to hang your coat {food court of course!}.
And that the couches are pretty much off limits to anyone under the age of 70 who is not male. And it’s just not one isolated area mind you, I counted 6 different lounge areas around the mall with different groups of older men sipping their morning cuppa and chatting it up with their bffs. {I even overheard two men talking about the merits of loofah sponges and how they’re great for getting the dead skin off your arm. It was hilarious.}
My guess is these men drive their wives to the mall for their morning workout and then all hang out with each other until the little woman has logged enough steps for the morning. It’s really kind of cute actually.
Do you have a preference to a particular bathroom stall when using a public restroom? I do! It’s always the first stall.
Why?
“Because the first stall is the least often occupied by public bathroom users—meaning it’s also the cleanest. “Experts theorize that people tend to skip the first stall in favor of stalls farther back to have a little more privacy,” ~ Dr. Mehmet Oz
Add that to your list of things you never wanted to know about me. 😉
Toothpicks. The HH and I were having a discussion about toothpicks the other day and yada yada yada…. We both wondered what the average age of a toothpick user was. 75? 80? And well you know, one thing lead to another and…
Mr. Google didn’t know the answer but did you know that in any given year, about as many people die {3} from accidentally swallowing a toothpick and puncturing their internal organs as people who die from being attacked by a shark {4}. Yep. It’s totally true.
And, to the person who asked Mr. Google if it was dangerous to stick a fork in the toaster…. Why YES IT IS! In fact about 700 people worldwide {300 in the US alone} are killed every year by toasters.
Happy Happy Dog.
And last but not least, does anyone know how to remove a burnt plastic drawer liner from the bottom of an Le Creuset enameled cast iron saucepan? It seems I maaaaaaaay have put it back in the drawer while it was still hot. Oops! I’ve already tried scrubbing the pan with hot water and the rubbery goo is not budging. Help!
Have a happy and productive Wednesday everyone. And if you are in the Midwest… BUNDLE UP!
~Mavis
Laura Z says
Try holding a hair dryer over the spot where the plastic is until ig gets warm and soft and then scrape?
Julia says
I agree with trying a hair dryer. Maybe also spray with Goo be Gone?
L. bryant says
Happy Wednesday. Mavis, to remove the plastic take the pan outside or in the garage and you will need to use some type of flame (plumbers torch or crème Brule torch) to burn the remnants off (it will smell). Put tin foil under the pan to catch the plastic drips. Good luck.
Susie Janov says
I agree with the flame method. You could just put it on your grill and burn it off.
Rhona says
Yes, Strong was the toothpick capital of the world for many many years until it closed and now the factory is manufacturing pellets for wood stoves using far fewer employees. Loss of a lot of jobs for a small town. Also a loss of income for all the loggers that brought the harvested trees to the mill to make the toothpicks. Progress I guess.
Marge says
Maybe try spraying it with cooking spray. I always use that to get price tags off newly bought items. Just one other idea is Cerama Bryte is a gentle but highly effective at cleaning burnt on stuff. I use it to clean my Le Creuset. Rub on a tiny bit let it dry and then scrape away.
Cecile says
Try putting it on a cookie sheet with parchment under the pan and re heat the pan, take it out and using a putty knife work as much off as possible then while warm use goo-off to take the residue off. You likely won’t have to get the oven too warm for this to happen but keep it on while doing it so you can pop it back in if it starts getting cool and more difficult to take off. I may or may not have had to get plastic bread bags off the side of a pot!
Mary says
A heat gun will work better than a hair dryer and a lot of scraping. The foam emits very toxic fumes when heated so use a respirator even in well ventilated areas.
Rosaleen says
I’m thinking you may have to heat the pot to get the rubber to its softening or even melting point. If you can do it outside, so much the better. Maybe a propane torch in the garage on this cold weather…
Kathy Kolland says
Curious, how long did it take you to walk 9 miles around the Mall. 9 miles is very impressive.
Mavis Butterfield says
I think about 2 hours and 15 minutes assuming a 15 minute mile.
Terri M Lindeke says
We go on very active European tours every year. 2018 was 2 weeks in southern Italy (think hills) and 2 weeks in Greece (think more steeper hills) where we logged 17,000 – 22,000 steps everyday – most of it straight up mountain sides to get to ancient sites and Temples for Apollo. We start several months ahead – read cold months by mall walking. Seems like we are much younger than most there. We are always surprised by the different abilities.
I’m with you as far as shopping… not a mall fan. Usually only go there to visit the Apple Store – real early. Otherwise it is Amazon, or local stores, thrift shops.
Kari says
Try Goo Gone. That stuff takes off gum, stickers, and everything in between. I’d give that a go! Good luck!
Michele Palmer says
Go Gone has NEVER failed me. I would try that first if you happened to have some.
Michele Palmer says
**Goo Gone
Mona says
I also vote for Goo Gone. I have used it for stubborn stickers and jar labels that nothing else was able to remove. I would try a small spot on the bottom to test. It is affordable and I am sure less toxix than heating and melting that stuck on liner.
Pauline in Upstate NY says
Yep, I’m with all of those who say re-heat it, but I would be of mixed mind *how* to do that. Doing it with the pan upside down in the oven would heat the pan uniformly and be gentler to it BUT would put toxic melting-plastic fumes into your home. On the other hand, doing it outside and spot heating it with a torch might permanently damage the pan and/or its finish. How about a quick call to Le Creuset’s customer service line before doing anything? You can’t be the first person ever to have done this…
Linda says
Agree!! Call them for suggestions!! Too nice of a pot to mess up.
Anne says
Maybe GooGone?
Libby says
I pulled out my “Mary Ellen’s Best of Helpful Hints” book from 1979 🙂 There isn’t an exact same situation but here are a few that might spark ideas.
Under How to remove chewing gum:
1. Put in freezer. Scrape off frozen gum. (or in the case of Thursday’s forecast just put it outside LOL)
2. Loosen gum by soaking in white vinegar or rubbing with egg white.
Under how to remove candle wax or crayon:
1. Place clean paper towels or pieces of a brown paper bag and press with a warm iron.
Under removing bumper stickers:
1. Use nail polish remover or lighter fluid. Gently scrape away with a razor blade or knife.
Under Removing candle wax from wooden finishes:
1. Soften the wax with a hair dryer. Remove wax with paper toweling.
I also agree with the above suggestion to call Le Creuset and see what they have to say.
Good luck!
Lace Faerie says
I’d try freezing first and scraping with a plastic putty knife.
Stacie says
This may not be a GOOD idea, but maybe if you have a charcoal grill, go light the grill and set the pan on top of the grate after the grill has burned down. Maybe it will melt the plastic off then you can dispose of it with the bbq ash.
Mavis Butterfield says
No grill. 🙁
Lisa says
how about your propane burner you use for dying wool?
Carrie says
I also use the first stall in a public bathroom!
If my FIL is awake he has a toothpick in his mouth! He is 65 and traded in smoking cigarettes for toothpicks when he was in his 30s. He has the nickname “Uncle Toothpick” by some young cousins! lol
Good luck with the pot! I’ve been meaning to ask what brand/kind of stainless steel pots did you switch too? I am going to make the switch and reviews are so wishy washy!
Mavis Butterfield says
We didn’t! We decided to just use our Le Creuset pots instead of buying anything new. They are super heavy and I was worried about dropping one on the cooktop but so far so good {knock on wood}.
LaToya says
Last stall person here. Because no one can walk by and peek. Sometimes those openings are just too big.
Susan says
LOL! Same here!!
Jen says
Try cleaning the pot with baking soda. Make a paste with the baking soda and let sit to loosen the plastic. Scrape with a plastic spatula. Good luck! This method has cleaned some terrible messes off of my Le Creuset.
Brianna says
I use one of those huge pink erasers from school to remove stuff. I just use some elbow grease and rub the eraser over it until the residue comes off. It takes awhile, but won’t damage what is underneath the stuck on mess.
Ginger says
I had a similar situation with my KitchenAid stand mixer stainless steel bowl. I had dough rising in it in the oven with the oven light on & plastic wrap over it. I forgot about it & preheated the oven for something else & the plastic wrap melted all over the bowl. I tried every suggestion your readers gave to you, but what ended up working was taking it outside & spraying automotive brake cleaner on it. It didn’t damage the bowl, but I am unsure how it would react with the paint on your pot. Good luck!
Heidi P says
I’m a lastish stall kinda person:)
I’d try WD40. That stuff can do so many things.
Julie says
I would get a scrap piece of material and use a hot iron to transfer the blob of melted drawer liner to the scrap material without getting the iron dirty. I have gotten candle wax out of carpeting with this method. With carpeting you have to be careful to not have the iron so hot that it melts the carpeting though. Should work just fine on the metal. Once its hot and pliable, you could wipe the big gunk off then work more on the finer sheen of drawer liner gunk by blotting
Teresa says
I ALWAYS use the handicap stall. Just got in the habit when my kids were little. I hate it when the stalls are so small your pant leg brushes the toilet on the way out!
Try some Goof Off It works wonders on anything poly.
Deb says
Gee, thanks for that. As a disabled person who is unable to use a regular stall I really appreciate having to wait (frequently blocking other people due to my bulky walker) while you use the tidy handicapped stall.
Claudia A Uccello says
I too have blocked many an isle with my power wheelchair waiting for handicapped stall to empty. Usually when it’s really busy I think folks have to GO but it’s usually a young able bodied person!!
E in Upstate NY says
A handicap stall user here, and I don’t “look” handicapped but I am. Do qualify for a car handicap hanger. Only one I know who wears year round sandals. Right now with the snow, do put socks on!
Don’t need a scooter or a walker to be handicapped.
Lace Faerie says
Sorry, the larger stalls are not law-protected designated parking spots. Wait your turn like the rest of us.
Katherine says
Wow, that was seriously rude and uncalled for. Those stalls are intended for handicapped folks first and foremost.
While I was on crutches with a broken leg I could only use the handicapped stall and I understand where these ladies are coming from.
Sue says
You’re correct Lace, the stalls are not legally designated but any one who can read should have the courtesy to use the other stalls. I am handicapped (epilepsy and chronic spinal stenosis). I am also tall and long legged, my knees touch the stall door. The toilets in the smaller stalls are very difficult to get up from due to the lack of grab bars. One day you may be in my position and will understand how important the handicapped stalls are to your safety.
Lace Faerie says
Perhaps, you are right and that reads harsher than I intended. I was laughing as I was typing.
Maybe I should have preferenced my feelings/opinion that I, too, am partially disabled with both motility and respiratory issues. Having three children who once bounced upon my bladder and now have occasional continence challenges , I would never begrudge someone the next available seat. And I would never presume to take cutsies just because of my cane and brace.
Sue says
Lace, I thought you might be very young and have never had any physical problems but I see you have like many of us, young or old. I also see you understood where I was coming from and that was appreciated. Our mamas taught us good…lol. Race you in my electric scooter!
Kathy says
Happy Wednesday! I, too, use first stall in public restroom. Stay warm, the high today 30 miles southwest of Cleveland, OH was -1 AT 6:30 THIS MORNING, windchill of -23. It’s on its way east so pull out Miss Lucy’s booties and jacket!
Mavis Butterfield says
MINUS 23!!!!! WOWZA.
Brenda from the frozen Midwest says
https://www. mom4real. com/how-to-clean-melted-plastic-off-of-your-stove-top/
This is how I got melted plastic off my glass cooktop. I was amazed how easy it was.
P says
-24 temperature, -55 wind chill here in Iowa last night. Forecast of -29 temp tonight. Stay safe and warm indoors everyone!
Mavis Butterfield says
That is just crazy! I would be afraid to leave my house.
Mellie says
Same here in Illinois. It was -20 with a wind chill of -53. Car battery died.
Laura T. says
Illinois person here too. Very cold today. Pretty much everything was closed. No mail either. It’s funny because everyone’s talking like it’s going to be so much better tomorrow since it will be -25 in the morning but less of a wind chill. Oh and because it will get up to -1 or 0! Woo Hoo! I’m sorry, that’s still too cold! It’s supposed to be 40 & 50 over the weekend! We just need to get through a couple more days!
Nancy E. says
It’s not THAT cold here near Denver, but my son and family are in Chicago. He stepped outside today just to see what -23 with a wind chill of -53 felt like! He said even though he covered his mouth, his eyeballs hurt, and his hand stuck to the door briefly on his way back in the apartment. Crazy kid (he’s only 25).
Ginny says
I also use the first stall in a public bathroom for the same reason you do.
min says
I would try soaking the pan with a dryer sheet before the more drastic fixes
Jenny Young says
I almost choked on a toothpick once…I almost died from fear but I managed to get it out with no damage. I was alone when it happened & kept thinking of my husband finding me dead on the kitchen floor.
I wish I had a nice warm mall to walk in.
Kimberly O'Donoghue says
I have a Teflon iron that got quit yukky. It had built up black goop over time. However I was ready to trash the iron and did some research on cleaning it. I put the iron flat down on a paper towel soaked with cleaning vinegar and baking soda, a decent amount of both! I let it sit for several hours. Much to my surprise with a little elbow grease and one of those plastic scrapers from Pampered Chef, I was able to clean the iron to almost a new state my husband was quite impressed. It might be a non toxic way that certainly should not damage your pot. Let us know what you do, curious?
BRENDA says
Every house should have a can of 3M adhesive remover. Removes goo and labels from all that thrift stuff you want to resell. And pure 99% isopropyl alcohol to remove permanent marker that the crazies use to put a price on an item in the most obvious place! Plus 100 other uses I am sure!
Katy says
I agree with the heat it off and scrape but if any residue remains, rub straight lemon essential oil on it. Works better than Goo be gone and smells much better. It might take a couple times but its the best for residue. Good Luck!
Martin says
Use a heat gun on it outside. It will melt off an use an old plastic scraper.
CandiceC says
It is mighty cold outside so before you torch the bottom of the pan as suggested by some maybe it would react like a candle melted into its holder..you know..stick it in the freezer and it lifts right out..why not try it with the pot except you could place it outside in these horrible -40 temp and freeze it off. Worth a shot but don’t leave it too long..wouldn’t want it to crack when taking it inside the warmth of your home..would it do that, I wonder. On another unrelated note..try blowing bubbles outside and watch them freeze mid-air!
Sherry says
“Try putting the pan in the freezer, I’ve had luck with plastic just peeling off.
Anne says
I was remembering back in 1979, early February in Manhattan, Kansas, that it was the night in which I thought my new apartment was awfully cold. I heard no news of any particular cold snap. I came out to my car In the morning to go to work, and the radio buttons (this was the olden days) were frozen and unworkable and the dead grass CREEEAAAKED under my feet. I found out on the radio that it was 27 below zero that night. They didn’t make any special announcement about it, that was just the temperature.
The part that really amazed me was that by 10 o’clock in the morning it was 40 degrees above, which is like 67° of change in just a few hours, but this temperature swing was completely unremarked upon in the newspaper or the radio. Of course, this was before the era of the 24/7 news cycle, but still, everybody now is acting as if this arctic cold is some kind of major catastrophe. Just business as usual that day in Manhattan Kansas.
Cheri says
Easy off oven cleaner
Helen in Meridian says
i was going to suggest Easy Off oven cleaner, or any brand of oven cleaner. I have found this works even on the inside of my Le Creueset to get rid of stains. I usually heat the pot, put it on old newspaper inn the garage, and spray away.
renay says
Goo Gone. That stuff works wonders! Old labels, you name it.
Emily E says
Agreed!
Teri says
Please let us know what works. I stained/burned the interior of mine and don’t know what to do to remove it. Seems like I’ve tried everything to no avail. Bummer since they are awfully expensive pots.
Lace Faerie says
If it’s burned on food, try a cup of baking soda and a cup of water. Bring to a boil then tun off. Let sit overnight. Hasn’t failed me yet. Even when I was boiling down apple juice for a glaze and it flashed over into shiny black glass! That took repeated overnights but eventually it lifted off in SHARP chunks.
Helen in Meridian says
After you use the baking soda stuff, if there is still much stain, pour some bleach and water in and let it sit for a few hours and see if this helps.
Teri says
Thanks for your reply. Did the stain come off too? I’ve tried both baking soda as well as bleach 🙁
Helen in Meridian says
I have found that the bleach water left for a few hours, really lightens the stain, almost back to the white original color.
Teri says
Great news! Will leave it in longer. Thanks for your help!
nancy from mass says
Hello! I use the first stall for the same reason you mentioned.
I would call LeCruset also…but i have heard of the freezer method as well.
my 19yo son constantly has a toothpick in his mouth. i bet that’ll skew any poll results!
mall walking is great when there’s no one there! good job on the mileage!
my current temp is 8 without the wind chill
Roni says
NO STALL unless daytime…and busy!!! while traveling in Florida we stopped at a rest area about 7 pm that was not manned with security…the restroom was empty, or so I thought….I went in and as I was washing my hands a naked woman came out of the handicapped stall asking if I had any extra clothes….I replied no and she asked for part of what I was wearing as it was cold and I had a sweater and jacket on……I literally ran out of there and called the Highway Patrol…it made me realize that anyone could be in there and up to no good. Just a thought
HollyG says
I think acetone would remove it. Test some to make sure it doesn’t damage the enamel and try it in a well ventilated area.