Mirrors are definitely underrated tools—good catch on that drip, those tiny leaks can cause big headaches later.
For drying reusable cloths, here's what works well for me: First, rinse them thoroughly in hot water to get rid of any grime or residue. Then wring them out as much as possible—really squeeze out every drop you can. After that, hang them somewhere with good airflow. I usually drape mine over a towel rack or even outside if the weather's decent. If you're dealing with persistent smells, soaking them briefly in a vinegar-water solution before rinsing helps a lot. Vinegar kills off the bacteria causing the funk. Just make sure they're fully dry before storing them away, otherwise you're back to square one with mold issues.
Sounds like you're already on the right track though, catching leaks early is half the battle.
"Then wring them out as much as possible—really squeeze out every drop you can."
Good tips overall, but honestly, wringing them out too aggressively can wear out the cloth fibers pretty quickly, especially if they're microfiber. I've found gently pressing them between two towels absorbs most of the moisture without damaging the fabric. Also, vinegar's great, but anyone else notice it can leave a lingering smell sometimes...? Baking soda soak might be a gentler alternative if that's an issue.
"Also, vinegar's great, but anyone else notice it can leave a lingering smell sometimes...?"
Haha, yeah, vinegar can definitely linger longer than you'd like. If the smell bothers you, try adding a few drops of essential oil (like lavender or lemon) to your vinegar solution—it masks the odor nicely without affecting its cleaning power. And good point about microfiber cloths; they're delicate little things. Pressing between towels is gentler, but if you're short on time, just gently twisting them works too—no need to Hulk-smash them dry!
"no need to Hulk-smash them dry!"
Haha, guilty as charged... I've definitely overdone it with microfiber cloths before and ended up with sad, stretched-out rags. Good tip about the essential oils too—lemon oil really helps cut through that vinegar funk. I usually crack open a window or run the fan for a bit afterward, seems to clear things up quicker. Plus, fresh air never hurt anyone, right?
Haha, I've definitely stretched out a microfiber cloth or two myself. Good point about airing things out afterward—nothing worse than that lingering vinegar smell.
A couple other things I've noticed when doing DIY plumbing fixes in the bathroom:
- Be careful with overtightening fittings, especially plastic ones. Learned the hard way after cracking a connector and having to run back to the store mid-job.
- Silicone grease is your friend. A tiny dab on rubber seals or O-rings helps them seat properly and prevents leaks down the line.
- Also, anyone else tried baking soda along with vinegar for clearing minor drain clogs? Seems to fizz up nicely and does the trick without harsh chemicals. Just rinse thoroughly after.
Curious if anyone has thoughts on plumber's tape vs pipe dope... I've heard arguments both ways but haven't settled on a favorite yet.
