Low-Tech answers to high-tech problems
Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:19AM EST
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Sometimes the answer is not to go out and buy another gizmo or gadget. Here are some new uses for everyday things that can help you get out of a jam.
Wet phone?
The toilet, the sink, a puddle, the laundry… it's so easy for your phone to wind up soaked through and through. Everyone has an opinion on how best to dry out a wet cell phone, but the technique I like best is to remove the battery and place the phone in a bowl of uncooked white rice. The rice wicks the water from the phone. (If your phone uses a SIM card, remove it too. At least you'll have your data.)
Drying out a wet phone with a hair dryer is often a first impulse, but heat can damage the phone even more. For more ideas on drying, from using silica gel to halogen lamps, see Wikihow.
Sleep through the alarm clock?
OK, this one will cost you a cheap wineglass. Break the stem and put your phone inside. The glass amplifies the sound. This one (and photo) come courtesy of Lifehacker.
Need a filter for your camera flash?
Cell phones demand that you get up close and personal when you take a photo, and often the flash will wash the color right out of your subject. To diffuse the flash, use a white coffee filter to make an impromptu filter. I tear the bottom off the cone and put the ruffles around my phone like one of those doggie flea collars.
Taming cords
There are plenty of products you can buy to help keep your gadgets' cords together, but the tube at the end of the toilet paper roll gives you the same results. Real Simple ran this photo in a recent issue.
DVDs with scratches
A lengthy discussion at Lifehacker compared techniques for getting through a movie when your DVD is scratched. The consensus called for either furniture polish or car wax. Apparently the wax fills the scratch and you can watch the movie without missing a scene.
Just put a gob of the stuff right on the disk and wipe. The secret involves using a cloth like an eyeglass cleaner (not a napkin or tissue) to wipe the wax in.
Floss your keyboard with sticky tape
This one reminds me of Garrison Keillor's running duct tape saga, but sticky tape is pretty handy when it comes to removing the crumbs that get embedded in your keyboard. (You would never think of eating at the keyboard, would you?) Seriously, hold the tape in your hands and do a flossing-like thing between the keys. Hey, get the lint off your pants while you're at it.
Flash drive trees
Somehow flash drives multiply in our house like amoebas. Now don't laugh, but those inexpensive earring trees have a second life as a flash drive sorter. With your flash drives all hanging from the tree, you can pick the one that coordinates best with your wardrobe each day.
Got a favorite low-tech tip to share?
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47 Posted by crawdady332 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:30PM EDT Report Abuse
Another way to remove scratches from a CD or DVD is to use toothpaste and using the eyeglass cloth or something similar it gets rid of the scratch.
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48 Posted by scorp_stanton on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:08PM EDT Report Abuse
Use Rubbing Alcohol on your LCD screen to clean it. This includes any flat panel or laptop screen. In fact, you can use Rubbing Alcohol to clean any part of your computer, even the inside, because it evaporates imediately and leaves no residue, so it won't damage your electronics. To clean the outside of your computer, you can just use some windex sprayed on a dry rag or paper towel, just don't hit any electrical contacts or the LCD screen.
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49 Posted by alaricepage on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:49PM EDT Report Abuse
Toothpaste (not gel) is great for a non-toxic way to polish silver. Just use the tooth paste and a rag like you would silver polish. Also 1/2 a lemon dipped in salt and rubbed on the surface will take the tarnish off brass or copper. I would recommend you rinse it with water after you are done so the acid doesn't stay on there and etch the surface.
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50 Posted by mks44 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:23PM EDT Report Abuse
To dust the keyboard and monitor, I use a paint brush, the cheap kind with real bristles. Works like a charm on calculators too.
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51 Posted by iguanadeath on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:23PM EDT Report Abuse
The comments held better tips than the post in my opinion. I didn't find these in the least helpful except for the scrathed dvd tip. These are more low-tech answers to low-tech problems. Any tips for things that deal with more pressing problems people face?
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52 Posted by essjay6072 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:56PM EDT Report Abuse
Also heard you can remove scratches on plastic eyeglass lenses (not contacts) with the same furniture polish technique
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53 Posted by darkturph on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:36PM EDT Report Abuse
how to fix a ps2 that doesn't read games anymore. a few years ago, i tried to clean my lense from my ps2 and instead dameged it. It would no longer read any more games. I had to buy a new ps2, but later that year when i wanted to get rid of the old one, my friend told me how to fix it. Open the console up to reveal the lense, of course you would have to disconnect it, and use nail polish remover with a soft lint free cloth. por a drop or two into the cloth and gently wipe the lense and problem solved. reads games like a charm and saved me the fix. now I have two consoles in two parts of my house. SWEET!!!
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54 Posted by rotorfun on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:52PM EDT Report Abuse
As for the DVD/CD polishing thing, the most mild abrasives are the best - believe it or not, toothpaste is one of the best substances for polishing plastics, urethane and Plexiglas. Sometimes if the scratch is deep, using a dremel tool (lowest speed) with a polishing wheel may be necessary (a gentle hand is required). Also, with toothpaste, it's water soluble so when your done polishing the surface of the disk, run the disk under warm water to remove the toothpaste before final polish with a soft (like cotton) cloth. Remember to always polish from the center of the disk to the outside and avoid any surface polishing in a circular motion.
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55 Posted by psgoodale on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:20PM EDT Report Abuse
I dont know why anyone would waste time using tape to clean their keyboard. And shaking upside down? Are you serious?. lol check out my earlier post. You put your keyboard in the dishwasher it comes out brand new. No dust, no crumbs, no stains, nothing but clean. No other way will work better and easier.
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56 Posted by lynnvaughn515 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:01PM EDT Report Abuse
GLASS CLEANER: Simply use "0000" dry (non-rusty) steelwool. This super fine graded steelwool will remove dirt, marks and polish your glass beautifully. Make sure to keep it dry !!!
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57 Posted by david_d_addison on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:38PM EDT Report Abuse
Here's a great way to save money, have your pickle, and eat it too! Go to Costco, by the economy size pickle jar. Eat the pickles, and keep the jar in your car. Now should you ever be stranded use the pickle jar to take a dump! Now you can return the jar to costco and get you money back because you found a dump in you jar of pickles. Be sure though to save one pickle and stick it back in the jar, that way the return desk doesn't get suspicious.
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58 Posted by jimmerjammer_06 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:35PM EDT Report Abuse
you'z guyz is f'n loozerz
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59 Posted by roaming75240 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:44PM EDT Report Abuse
What does putting a cell phone in a wine glass have to do with sleeping through the alarm clock? Unless you pay someone to call you on your cell phone at the same time every morning, all you're going to get is a CELL PHONE in a glass and you're still sleeping through the alarm CLOCK.
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60 Posted by gitju68 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:09PM EDT Report Abuse
Running the keyboard through the dishwasher (top rack) worked for me, and I've done it twice. Granted, I have a $16 keyboard so if it dies, no biggie.
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61 Posted by davidb_spamboy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:38PM EDT Report Abuse
At the grocery store, order a sandwich at the deli, then eat the sandwich as you walk around the store and throw the wrapper on the floor. BAM! Free lunch If you're really, bring a spoon from and order some macaroni salad too!
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62 Posted by boola_69 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:11PM EDT Report Abuse
what're you still doing with a ps2??......... anyway, here's a great way to clean up your computer room: GET RID OF YOUR PC AND GET A MAC
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63 Posted by agisdesignsco on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:47PM EDT Report Abuse
my scanner feeder leaves a continuous line on my images, how do i get rid of that?
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64 Posted by redmanrt on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:34PM EDT Report Abuse
The best way to clean a keyboard is to not have to. Stretch some Saran wrap over it.
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65 Posted by danfick34 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:35PM EDT Report Abuse
to dry out any electronics that have been submerged or gotten wet, use that cyrstal kitty litter. Obviously a new bag, but bury the device in that, it will dry out the moisture within an hour. Also, there is no residue or sand as it's crystal kitty litter. Just don't use the sand or clay kind.
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46 Posted by only1ginger on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:45PM EDT Report Abuse
OMG!!! I was just this minute getting ready to put in the EXACT remedy as #25 post, coloradoridgerun! Great minds think alike and it REALLY DOES WORK. I learned that little tidbit from my teenage son!