DIY Upholstery Cleaners, Clean Coffee Maker & Squash Bugs
Joan Clark
June 11, 2026
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Hello ,
Life is full of challenges, from stubborn stains on favorite furniture to unwelcome garden pests. Today's tips tackle the practical problems that pop up around the house and yard this time of year.
In today's issue:
DIY Solutions for Refreshing Your Upholstery
Natural Ways to Protect Your Squash Plants
Keeping Your Coffee Maker Spotless Without Vinegar
And more…
CLEANING
We once rescued a vintage velvet chair from a thrift store, only to discover that the secret to bringing it back to life was already sitting in the kitchen pantry. These homemade upholstery cleaners prove that the most effective solutions often cost pennies and skip the harsh chemicals found in store-bought sprays.
CLEANING
Coffee makers harbor more bacteria than most bathroom door handles, according to a 2011 NSF International study that swabbed 22 household items. We found seven surprising alternatives to vinegar that deep-clean every chamber and tube, from denture tablets to citric acid powder.
7 Creative Ways to Clean a Coffee Maker Without Vinegar
MABEL’S WISDOM
Drafty Door Dilemma
Back in my day, we didn't have fancy gadgets to keep the cold out, but we sure knew how to make do! To stop those pesky drafts sneaking under the door, I used to make a simple draft stopper with things around the house.
Just take an old pair of tights and fill one leg with dried beans or rice. Tie off the ends, and you've got yourself a trusty draft snake to lay at the base of the door.
It's a quick fix that keeps the chill at bay, just like we did way back when!
BUG CONTROL
Squash bugs can destroy an entire crop in days, turning healthy vines into withered stalks before gardeners even spot the damage . This guide shares 5+ field-tested methods that eliminate squash bugs fast, plus the surprising household item that repels them on contact.
FUN FACT
Automating One of the Most Dangerous Jobs
Window washing from ropes has caused more than 100 deaths in New York City alone since 1980, yet automation lagged because early robots couldn't handle wind, irregular building shapes, or the liability. Skyline Robotics cracked the problem by combining aerospace-grade tethers, real-time wind sensors, and machine-learning algorithms trained on thousands of building profiles. |  |
A NEWSLETTER WE LOVE
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THANK YOU!
You've tackled fabric stains, sent squash bugs packing, and discovered that vinegar isn't the only hero in your cleaning arsenal . That's a full day's work, and you didn't even break a sweat.
May your garden thrive,
Tipsbulletin Newsletter Team
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