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Tip Store: Household: Furniture

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​A Chopping Board Covers Damaged Drawer Top

​Depending on the size of the damage and where it occurs, it could be sanded or planed down flat. A cheaply bought or re-purposed timber / bamboo chopping board could then be placed over the top to disguise the damage and form a flat surface. If the damage was towards the centre, the chopping board could become a feature, with decorative pots or pot plants placed on top. Alternatively, after sanding the surface, place a table runner or favourite silk scarf over the top, making it a feature, to offset the uniqueness of the chest of drawers.
Contributed by Maureen Pritchard, 18th May 2016
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​Iron the Bubbles Away

Make a spray with water, some drops of eucalyptus oil and a splash of vodka. Spray the problem areas. Moths do not like essential oils of any kind. Other options include tea tree, lavender, oregano, lemon, cedar or sandalwood oils are good too. You could make a blend if you have several that you like. Diluted the oils will not harm the fabrics, and you get a lovely smelling room as well. 
Contributed by Stella Walker-Sharland, 15th May 2016
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​Replace a Damaged Top with New Timber

​You could always measure the top up, go buy a cheap bit of timber from a hardware, they will general cut it to size for you. Take off the top and nail a new one on, then paint or stain. I have down this with a set of drawers and it came out great, like new actually.
Contributed by Vanessa Taylor, 14th May 2016
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​Fill the Bubble then Press it Away

If you can, get a syringe and flexible needle (like an IV cannula...do you have a nurse in the family?). Moisturise the veneer bubble with cedar or vegetable oil or mayonnaise. Make the smallest hole possible in the veneer bubble and inject some glue (thinned if necessary, anything that dries clear) into the bubble under and around the area where you have made your tiny hole. Cover with plastic film. Put a stack of weight on top and leave it for a few hours. Depending on the finish or paint, you can also iron over the top of baking paper, but that will discolour a timber finish. I did this very successfully with an antique item! Good luck.
Contributed by Heather Schlusemeyer, 12th May 2016
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​Press the Bubble Away

Use an old syringe and inject PVA wood glue into the bubbled area. Place a piece of aluminium foil between treated area and some heavy weights (to stop them sticking). The bubble should be gone after 24 hours.
Contributed by Mick Watterson, 12th May 2016
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​If All Else Fails, Replace the Top

​Sometimes you can inject contact glue with a big needle syringe - if enough access you can use it without the needle. Both methods are quite messy. However if it is a big bubble it likely will not work that well. If the chest of drawers is a reasonably nice one, you may find replacing the top with block board and staining to match can solve the problem. I have done this myself with an antique pine chest where the top was completely ruined even though it was actually solid wood, but if the top has fancy edges it will not look the same.
Contributed by Susan Czermak, 12th May 2016
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Revamp Ceiling Fans for a New Look

​My fans had a few marks on the blades so i took them down, sanded them and re-painted them -Pale Pink for my granddaughter's room and pale blue for the spare room. Only cost $10 for the enamel spray paint.
Contributed by Suzanne King, 11th May 2016
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​Warm Up to Remove Marks

​When you put a hot cup of coffee on your polished table and you leave a mark get your hairdryer, put on warm setting, heat the mark and it disappears.
Contributed by Rosie Egan, 11th May 2016
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​Think Outside the Square: Extra Filling for Bean Bags

I recently changed the kids doonas as they were getting bigger beds. So I had a couple of single doonas lying around. One in particular was soft and fluffy but had a big blue ink stain on it so it wasn't fit to be put into the op shop bag. I decided to stuff it into a bean bag that needed more filling. I placed the bag in the bath and opened the zip and then carefully put the doona into the bag. Re-zipped it, fluffed it up and it worked.
​Contributed by Louise Attard, 26 September 2013
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​Make a Study Desk for Free

Approximate $ Savings: $80-100

I'm a college student and trying to keep expenses as low as possible. I have a very small bedroom and needed a good desk that could squeeze into my room. There wasn't a desk small enough -- so I decided to make one. Items needed: *a piece of board (or a big poster frame) *a flat piano stool/small table to stick the board on *some bricks to prop up the piano stool to the right height *a nice table cloth to cover it *a small DVD cabinet turned sideways: place this on the back of your desk, and fill with sticky notes, stationary needs, motivational pictures, etc. This has worked really well for me for the past several months. Don't forget a waste paper basket (can be a lined and decorated yoghurt bucket, etc.) next to the desk to keep your brainstorming sessions tidy.
​Contributed by Sonja Tan, 15th April 2013
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​Take a Look at Your Local Salvo Stores

Approximate $ Savings: $100 - $200

Last year we moved to new place and did not take a lot of things from our old place. When Christmas came, we decided to buy a fairly large Christmas tree. The local shops sold them for about $80-$120. I decided to go to the local salvo store and take a look. I bought a large Christmas tree for just $7. It was in excellent condition and they even had its box. There were also new decoration stuff. I finished my Christmas decorations for under $20. Now I have furnished my house with the furniture and flower vases from the salvo store. I visit the shop often and have bought some antique collectibles as well. Some of the closing down people give their unsold goods to the salvo stores. Look out for their 50% sale during the Christmas season. Good luck!
​Contributed by Ami C., 4th August 2011
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​Update Outdoor Furniture with Shadecloth

When the canvas on my outdoor directors chairs gave way, I replaced it with shade cloth (sourced from the tip shop it cost $6). With some hand sewing with nylon thread and a large curved needle and a few heavy staples the job was done. l I also repainted them with some spare out door house paint. So not only have I saved the cost of replacing them but they are much more weather resistant and the paint job matches the house.
​Contributed by Jacinta, Birkdale, 1st May 2009
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​Give Your Old Couch a Comfy Lift

My hint came as a cheap way of fixing up a couch. My brother has a leather couch which when you sat on it you could feel the wooden pieces inside. I thought if you can have a pillow top to make your mattress nice and soft I could make a pillow top for this couch. I went to Spotlight and purchased wadding, fleece material and a nice fabric for the outside. I cut all pieces into the rectangle shape of the sitting area only of the 3 seater couch and sewed it all together. The couch is now comfy again with the pillow top couch/sofa. It cost me $40 and about one hour to make. We also added a anti slip fabric (the one you use under mats) from the $2 Shop in between the couch and the pillow top to stop it from slipping as the couch is leather and pillow top is material. The more stuffing or layers of material you use the thicker it can be. You could even use old blankets/doonas for the inside or unused doona covers for the outside. The couch pillow top has made this couch comfortable once more and it has a new modern look.
​Contributed by Myriam, Hadfield, 28th January 2010
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​You Don't Need a Complete Suite to Update Furniture

Approximate $ Savings: $400.00

Our dining setting was 20 years old and the chairs were past being able to be repaired (having done this 2 or 3 times previously). The table had a few marks and scratches but that could be hidden by a nice tablecloth (or a runner and placemats). I priced chairs at various shops for around $100.00 each but I was not in a position to spend $600.00 for chairs at this stage. I happened to be in a Lifeline shop that sold a lot of second hand furniture and discovered a set of 6 chairs for $200.00. They only had a couple of marks on them and happened to be a style that I liked. Now I have what looks like a new dining setting and it only cost me $200.00.
​Contributed by Julie, Bray Park, 20th November 2009
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​Easy Change Slip Cover

Why not use a fitted sheet in the appropriate size in a good quality matching colour to the sofa. It could be left on all the time with a throw rug over it to sit on, then when it is opened just remove the throw and the sheet hides the tears and on-one is the wiser. Hope this helps.
​Contributed by Julie, Heathcote, 11th April 2009
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​New Outdoor Setting for $3

My plastic outdoor setting was looking grotty with mould colour on the white and I was thinking about getting a nicer setting but baulked at the cost of close to $1,000. I mixed White King Concentrate Bleach (which I bought on special for $3, at $1 off), with 50% water into a spray bottle, sprayed it on each of the chairs and the table, gave them a bit of a scrub with a scrubbing brush out in the sunshine, and hosed them down and they look fantastic - so clean and fresh and mould colour gone.
​Contributed by Jan Caldwell, 25th March 2009
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​Setting Up Home for $0

Approximate $ Savings: >$500

I recently moved out of home and had to fit out the entire house with appliances and all the rest of it. Although I was able to get a few things from family and friends, there were quite a few small things that I couldn't find and was contemplating buying new. Then I came across www.freecycle.org.au a free website aimed at reducing rubbish on the mantra that 'someone's rubbish is another's treasure'. This is how it works: for example, you are replacing your old computer or moving overseas, and you have a bunch of things to get rid of, but don't want to pay for disposal, and eBay or trading post just isn't worth it. You post your goods for free on the website, along with some contact details (usually an email address). Interested people then contact you and organise to pick up the goods they want. When I was looking for things for my new place, I was able to pick up almost new microwave, heater, television, 6 burner BBQ and vacuum cleaner- all in perfect working order, and all for FREE! What's more, a few months later a neighbour of mine was replacing their hot water heater and wanted to get rid of the old one. It was worth nothing, so eBay and the Trading Post would have been a waste of money. I suggested they post it on Freecycle, and within a couple of days it was gone. The website runs off donations, so as to keep this great website running, I donated some money, however, with all the great things I got for free, it was still well worth it!
​Contributed by Dora, Niddrie, 5th November 2008 Website: www.freecycle.org.au
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​Local Orchard Provides Unique Furniture

Make a unique wall unit with wooden apple boxes and wait for the compliments! I used 24 boxes stacked eight high and three across @ $2 each. For the same cost I bought six rectangular baskets to fill up rows four and five. For an outlay of only $56 I have a capacious storage unit that I can add to or rearrange at whim!
​Contributed by Judith, Warrandyte, 3rd July 2008
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​Everything is Free

I stumbled across a wonderful web site a few months ago. It is called freecycle.com.au. It is a place where people from all over Australia place their unwanted goods to give away. They are trying to stop unwanted goods being dumped in landfill. You can also place "Wanted" ads for things that you need. To join all you have to do is to make an "offer" of something. You can pick up virtually anything you need - from clothes, toys, furniture, bbq's, building materials, computers, books, to name a few. Each state has its own areas, so check it out.
​Contributed by Kris, Riverhills, 24th June 2007
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Use Socks for Furniture Feet

Save money and damaging floors, by using old socks or cheap socks by placing them on the chair legs or furniture legs. This is cheaper than expensive self adhesive felt, your floors won't be damaged, if you buy bright coloured socks for kids furniture or socks to match your decor, they can be washed & re-used & you can use older socks you already have - thus not spending any money at all.
​Contributed by Toni, Redland Bay, March 15th 2005
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​Furnish a Whole House for Under $1,000

Those of us who maybe receiving Centrelink or other government agencies payment/pension. You could be able to utilise the services of your local church or community centre for assistance in obtaining the best price for whitegoods, furniture and household requirements. These groups will make the phone calls to the retailers and get even further discounts. In the end saving you $$$. We had to furnish our whole house * months ago and we couldn't afford to purchase new furniture. We went to the Brotherhood of St.Laurence and Salvation Army furniture stores and bought all that we needed for $850. This included queen and single ensembles with bed heads, dressing table with mirror, fridge, TV, 3-piece lounge suite, washing machine, 2 kitchen tables and 8 chairs (1 set for my husband to restore as a hobby). We also picked up some bric a brac for under $100.00. Check these places out you will never know what you may find.
​Contributed by Naome, Ivanhoe, March 10th 2005
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  • Home
  • Join the Club!
    • Twenty Reasons to Join the Cheapskates Club
  • About Us
    • Cath's Story
    • Ask Cath
    • Glossary of Cheapskating Terms
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    • How to Use the Member Forum
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    • Getting Started
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