Bi-Monthly Almanac: Safe Toddler Swing, Swinging Pet Door, and Other Household Projects

By The Mother Earth News Editors
Published on September 1, 1979
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Make a swinging pet door by attaching coil springs to both sides of a small screen door. The springs will be strong enough to close the door, but your dog or cat will be strong enough to push it to get in or out.
Make a swinging pet door by attaching coil springs to both sides of a small screen door. The springs will be strong enough to close the door, but your dog or cat will be strong enough to push it to get in or out.
ILLUSTRATION: MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF
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For a secure toddler swing that doesn't tip, thread the support rope through two holes in each side of a suitably sized box.
For a secure toddler swing that doesn't tip, thread the support rope through two holes in each side of a suitably sized box.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF
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To make a simple washcloth holder, attache several spring-type clothespins to a wood panel and then hang this assembly on your bathroom wall. Write the names your family on each clothespin.
To make a simple washcloth holder, attache several spring-type clothespins to a wood panel and then hang this assembly on your bathroom wall. Write the names your family on each clothespin.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF
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To make an auxiliary, non-slip sidewalk: cut small slits in two lengths of discarded garden hose, then drive nails through these into a series of evenly spaced boards.
To make an auxiliary, non-slip sidewalk: cut small slits in two lengths of discarded garden hose, then drive nails through these into a series of evenly spaced boards.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF
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If you've lost the plug for a salt shaker or pepper shaker, use tape to block the fill hole.
If you've lost the plug for a salt shaker or pepper shaker, use tape to block the fill hole.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF
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A U-shaped pipe with one end buried in the ground and the other hooked over the lid of a garbage can will prevent animals from knocking them over and foraging.
A U-shaped pipe with one end buried in the ground and the other hooked over the lid of a garbage can will prevent animals from knocking them over and foraging.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF

You’ve always got some household projects to do, right? Well, we’ve got a few suggestions to help
you get them done. Then have a little fun viewing the historically
significant events covered in our September/October Almanac.

Safe Toddler Swing

An ideal “no-tipping” swing for toddlers can be made from one end of a wooden box or put together, from scratch, using four pieces of scrap wood. The trick, however, is to thread the rope through two holes in each side of this box-type construction so your small-fry will have a particularly safe seat while swinging.

Swinging Pet Door

Your
dog or cat can come and go at will if you hinge the lower part of a
screen door and install long coil springs on both sides. These should
exert equal tension .. which will keep the pet door closed, yet allow
the animal to push its way either in or out.

Washcloth Holder

Screw a number of spring-type clothespins to a wood panel and attach the assembly to the bathroom wall. This handy device can then hold washcloths so they’ll dry quickly .. . and–if you paint names on the pins–each family member can quickly identify his or her own cloth.

Bottle Deodorizer

Here is a method to deodorize a foul-smelling bottle: fill the container with cold water, add a pinch of dry mustard, let the solution stand for about one hour, then rinse well.

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