Stretch Jeans, Clean Sneakers, Remove Carpet Glue & DIY Mosquito Repellent
Joan Clark
November 26, 2025
Hello there,
We have some practical solutions to make the week feel easier. From denim that fits to a bug-free evening and bright, clean sneakers, uncover steps that save time and simplify home care.
In today's issue:
Stretch Jeans for a Better Fit
Natural Mosquito Repellent that Works
Clean Those Filthy Sneakers
Remove Carpet Glue from Concrete
And more…
CLEANING
We share simple ways to loosen snug jeans at home so your favorite pair relaxes without losing shape. We once rescued a too-tight pair with the shower-and-stretch trick. Fun fact : cotton denim stretches more when warm and damp, then keeps the fit as it dries.
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CLEANING
Discover our favorite five ways to clean sneakers and bring back a crisp, like-new finish with simple supplies. We also include a fun fact: a Magic Eraser lifts rubber scuffs quickly, and a baking soda paste neutralizes odors without harsh chemicals.
TIP OF THE DAY
Does your fern keep faking its own death?
Place a Boston fern or a maidenhair fern on a bathroom shelf where it receives bright, indirect light but no direct sun. Set the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and half an inch of water to raise humidity around the plant. Check the soil daily and water when the top half-inch feels dry to the touch. Ferns thrive in steam, so a bathroom with regular showers gives them the moisture they crave without extra work. |  |
CLEANING
After pulling up old carpet, we cut cleanup time with four quick ways to remove carpet glue from a concrete floor. During a weekend project, we learned that many carpet adhesives are water-based, so hot water softens them, and a citrus-based remover handles stubborn spots.
FUN FACT
Did the Pilgrims skip forks at the first Thanksgiving?
The 1621 harvest feast lasted three days, but nobody picked up a fork because colonists considered it a fussy European affectation. Diners used knives, spoons, and their hands to eat venison, seafood, and fowl. Forks didn't become standard table tools in America until the early 1700s, decades after that famous meal. The Wampanoag guests outnumbered the English settlers roughly 2 to 1 and brought five deer to the celebration. |  |
BUG CONTROL
After a sunset barbecue left us swatting, we set a pot of fresh basil by the door, mixed a lemon-eucalyptus spray, and the bites stopped. We pulled together 20 handy DIY mosquito repellent ideas that are easy to implement. Did you know that mosquitoes track CO2 and are drawn to dark clothes? Smart scents and lighter colors give us an edge.
THANK YOU!
Comfier jeans, fewer bites, brighter sneakers, and a glue-free floor, all in one read . Use the waistband stretch, mix a citronella spray, refresh laces and soles, then tame stubborn carpet adhesive with heat and patience. Simple wins stack up fast when tackled one at a time.
Until next time,
Tipsbulletin Newsletter Team
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