State Leader LessonClarion Convention Center

July, 13, 2009Gloria King, CEFCSSW District, FCS Program Specialist

Baling Wire, Duct Tape and WD40

and Ingenious uses for everyday products... 

Baling wire, Duct Tape and WD-40have stood the test of time for the American handyman or woman for decades!

If you have any hope of maintaining a household you need some good old fashioned “horse sense” and a stock pile of the basic equipment.

Baling wire has led a double life. In one life, its original one, it was an essential part of agriculture. Baling wire was manufactured to be used to secure bales of hay or grain. In the early 1800’s baling wire was used manually to hand-tie wire around bales.

The Depression, Dust Bowl and then conserving for the War meant that folks learned to “make do” with what they had on hand. And baling wire began its second life.

Most folks of “experience” have fond memories of an old tractor or truck, rocking chair or a screen door that was held in place for years with baling wire.

Duct Tape The original use for this adhesive tape was

for the military to keep moisture out of ammunition cases. Because it was Army green & waterproof, people referred to the tape as “Duck Tape”.

Military personnel quickly discovered that the tape was quite versatile and they used it to fix their guns,

jeeps, even aircraft.   

After the war, the tape was used in the booming housing industry to connect heating and air conditioning duct work together; the color was changed from green to silver to match the ductwork and people started to refer to the tape as

“Duct Tape”. 

In the 1970’s manufacturers began placing rolls of duct tape in shrink wrap, making it easier to stack the sticky rolls.

Different grades and colors of duct tape weren’t far behind.

Soon, duct tape became the most versatile tool in the household!

 

Another generation of ingenious people find new uses for duct tape.

Some are professional “Duct Tape Designers!”

Words of Wisdom 

One only needs two tools in life: WD-40 to make things go and duct tape to make them stop.”

—G. Weilacher

WD-40In 1953, a fledgling company called

Rocket Chemical Company and its staff of three set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for use in the aerospace industry, in a small lab in San Diego, California.

Displacement perfected on the 40th try—is still in use today. 

 WD-40 is a petroleum based solvent

designed to be used as a spray lubricant. WD-40 is flammable and should only be used in a well ventilated area.

WD-40 should never be applied to the skin or used in any way that could cause the solvent to be ingested.

Remember to use it in a well-ventilated area

and never for human use.

Acceptable uses of WD-40:

as a solventas a degreaser or to spray on the distributor cap of

your car it will displace moisture and allow your vehicle to start.

 

Other ways to make life more simple.In the past half-century we have been

besieged with household chemicals to make things brighter, whiter, shinier and more sanitary with less effort.

Unfortunately, excessive use of these chemicals is not good for our environment.

Chemicals aren't all bad Chemicals are all around us. They occur in nature

and in all activities that people undertake.

The danger with chemicals in the home is the concentration and combination of both synthetic and natural chemicals we choose to use.

Being a savvy consumer who reads labels before using a product is also helpful. Homemade cleaning products that are made from ingredients you already have in your kitchen often rival those you can buy in stores.

If you plan to use alternative cleaning products or to make your own take into consideration the three basic functions of household cleaners:

to cut grease, to scour (be abrasive) to disinfect

 

Alternative products that work best for cutting grease are an acidic solution or a strong base, like vinegar.

For scouring jobs, an abrasive such as salt or baking soda.

To sanitize or sterilize, antiseptic properties are needed, such as chlorine bleach or isopropyl alcohol--not lemon juice.

There are certain problems related to homemade products, including:

They may take longer to clean effectively. You may need to let the product "sit" on the surface for longer than usual, or you may have to go over a surface several times.

More elbow grease may be required and the product may not clean as well if a harsh cleaner was used repeatedly on the surface.

While the ingredients in homemade cleaners are safer, they are not all non-toxic.

Be careful mixing chemicals. Never mix large amounts. The chemicals

may lose their effectiveness. Mix solutions in a well-ventilated area. Store solutions in unused, store-bought

containers. Never put them in old food containers. Label containers carefully.

Re-purposing involves a little more thought and effort than whipping out the credit card, but it is a greener alternative to consumption and a thrifty choice for anyone on a budget. Just remember to reduce, reuse…and reuse… and reuse!

Then Recycle!

Reusing allows us to take responsibility for the waste we create.

You can feel good about saving money

and resources. If our Depression-era mothers and grandmothers made do with less,

so can we!