Cleaning Metal with Toothpaste

I started a crafting endeavor recently which I thought would be quite simple and straight forward as I have done it in the past; turning an old light fixture into a candle holder. I hope to later write a post about how I have done that.



This time was different. The old light fixture was not clean. It had old paint layered on top and layers of dirt on the underside. I thought a quite wash with soup would do the trick… It did not. So, I turned to my tried and go to method for cleaning dingy metals; toothpaste. I know it sounds odd, but I have also used this method when cleaning jewelry.



Here is how the light fixture looked before I started cleaning.

I first scrapped off as much paint as I could and did a cleaning with dish soap and water. This is the results.

Then it was onto the toothpaste. Look at how it came out! The left (gold) side is the side I cleaned with the toothpaste. You can see the difference from the tarnished right side. I originally thought this was silver, but after washing it with the toothpaste, I can now see that it is actually gold.

I was quite happy with the results and am excited to move onto the next step to turn this into a candle holder.

What you can make from crocheting squares/rectangles – Part 3: Scarves

In case you missed it, check out Part 1: Blankets, Towels, Pot Holders

https://mwlgoodies.blogspot.com/2019/03/what-you-can-make-from-crocheting.html

And Part 2: Ear Warmers and Headbands

https://mwlgoodies.blogspot.com/2019/04/what-you-can-make-from-crocheting.html

In this part of the series, I would like to share with you my newest winter scarf design.

I created this as a gift to a new co-worker who recently moved north and is experiencing his first winter in the northeast. Let’s just say he is not used to the cold weather up here.

This pattern is intended to be very thick and warm for the dead of winter so I used 4 ply acrylic yarn for this pattern. Of course, you can always make a smaller version of this by cutting down the dimensions to 22in x 70in to create a “skinny scarf”. Also, using a lightweight yarn will also make this pattern more suitable for lighter winters.

The stitches (st) I use for this pattern are chain (ch), single crochet (sc), and double crochet (dc).

I use 4 ply yarn with the hook suggested on the yarn label.

Start with ch 35

Row 1: 34 sc, turn

Row 2: ch 2, skip (sk) sc, sc in next st, sc across, turn

Row 3: ch 2, sc in ch space, ch across

Row 4 – 8: repeat row 3

row 9: ch 2, dc across,

row 10: ch 3, sk dc, ch, dc in next st,

row 11: dc across,

row 12: ch 2, sk sc, sc in next st, sc across, turn

row 13: ch 2, sc in ch space, ch across

Row 14 – 18: repeat row 3

row 19: ch 2, dc across,

row 20 – 21: repeat row 19

Row 22 – 121: repeat rows 12 through row 21

Row 122 – 131: repeat row 2 through row 8

Row 132: ch, sc across

ch, sc around edges, 3 sc in each corner stitch, tie off

Please comment below if you have any questions about my pattern design. And visit my store front to see what creations I have for sale today.

https://www.bonanza.com/booths/MWL_Goodies