Chimney Sweeps

[philmayfield 6,115]

We used to tip mothballs onto the open fire. It think the gases created broke down the soot and it went out of the chimney to land on peoples’ washing. It seemed to work. Do not try this at home! I believe there were some proprietary products in sachets which were sold for the same purpose and regular application stopped soot build up.

[Jill Sparrow 10,304]

There was something called Imp which was supposed to achieve that effect. Ben will know. I expect Marsden's or Farrand's sold it.

[philmayfield 6,115]

Yup! That’s the one I was thinking of. I see that mothballs are still recommended for occasional use on wood burning stoves.

[loppylugs 8,427]

Mothballs have some amazing uses.  Around here they are supposed to repel snakes if you put them around your yard.  I've never actually tried it.  They are pretty hard to find anymore.

[philmayfield 6,115]

I wear them on a string round my neck to keep people away!

[katyjay 5,090]

Some friends in Nottingham, on their last visit to us over here, took mothballs back with them. Said they couldn't find them over there. I think they were for their garden. 

[jonab 1,644]

In France, you can buy naphtalene (naphthalene in English) in flake form from some pharmacies and garden centres. Mothballs are naphthalene compressed into balls. Perhaps it is available like that in the US - I don't suppose it matters very much if it's balls or flakes if it's just going on a fire (or repelling snakes!).

[Beekay 5,134]

I always thoughts Imps were tiny but hot licourice tablets that you bought in a little box. Used to buy 'em in winter to help breathing in cold weather. I'm sure you can still get them or some equivalent. Couldn't afford Fishermen's friend or Victory V.

[philmayfield 6,115]

I think they were called Meloids and sometimes Nigroids.

[Jill Sparrow 10,304]

1 hour ago, loppylugs said:

Mothballs have some amazing uses.  Around here they are supposed to repel snakes if you put them around your yard.  I've never actually tried it.  They are pretty hard to find anymore.

They are probably as effective as conkers against spiders!  Since I put the conkers down, I haven't seen a single arachnid. On the other hand, due to moggies playing football with them at 3am, I haven't seen a single conker either!

[jonab 1,644]

Melloids were a Boots product sold in small double-lidded tins. The inner lid had a small hole in it to allow the tiny square Melloid to be shaken out. Imps were sold in cardboard boxes.

 

Google has entries for Imps and Nigroids but barely a mention for Melloids.

[loppylugs 8,427]

1 hour ago, Jill Sparrow said:

They are probably as effective as conkers against spiders!  Since I put the conkers down, I haven't seen a single arachnid. On the other hand, due to moggies playing football with them at 3am, I haven't seen a single conker either!

 

Maybe the moggies ate 'em, along with the spiders.

 

Phil........I don't know about wearing them around your neck.  I'd heard that eating plenty of Garlic has the desired effect.

[Jill Sparrow 10,304]

I eat loads of garlic...but we all know what a misanthrope I am! 

[benjamin1945 16,139]

Its ok Jill,, since my OP i can't smell owt.......lol

[philmayfield 6,115]

I love garlic but you if stand on the Metro in Paris squashed up next to some garlic reeking Frog  you don’t love it quite so much. Allegedly the smell comes out through the pores of your skin as well as in your breath.   You’ve got me thinking about driving over to Southwell now to get some garlic bread!

[MargieH 7,599]

29 minutes ago, benjamin1945 said:

Its ok Jill,, since my OP i can't smell owt.......lol

 

Ben, I expect your taste is not as good as before, either.   One can detect salt, sweet, sour and bitter from taste buds on the tongue but more subtle flavours need one's sense of smell to taste them!

 

[benjamin1945 16,139]

Quite true Margie........lucky ive kept my appetite though...........

[Cliff Ton 10,457]

10 minutes ago, MargieH said:

Ben, I expect your taste is not as good as before, either.  

 

Ben has always had immaculate taste, and no doubt will continue in that manner.

[Jill Sparrow 10,304]

54 minutes ago, philmayfield said:

I love garlic but you if stand on the Metro in Paris squashed up next to some garlic reeking Frog  you don’t love it quite so much. Allegedly the smell comes out through the pores of your skin as well as in your breath.   You’ve got me thinking about driving over to Southwell now to get some garlic bread!

Make your own. Much nicer!

[Jill Sparrow 10,304]

27 minutes ago, Cliff Ton said:

Ben has always had immaculate taste, and no doubt will continue in that manner.

Even if they cut his head off, it wouldn't stop him chasing the ladies! 

[Brut33 20]

I haven't read back to see who this lady chasing guy is, but I'm pretty sure that cutting his head off would slow him down.  

[Jill Sparrow 10,304]

You haven't met our Ben. He's a legend!

[philmayfield 6,115]

34 minutes ago, Jill Sparrow said:

Make your own. Much nicer!

I would still have to go out to get the ingredients and sitting in my study looking at my Mac and drinking a very large Scotch is not conducive to venturing out on this miserable night!

[Gem 1,430]

5 minutes ago, Brut33 said:

I haven't read back to see who this lady chasing guy is, but I'm pretty sure that cutting his head off would slow him down.  

Don't even think about cutting off his head, i have not yet met our liberty bodice lothario. Maybe one day.

[Jill Sparrow 10,304]

You're in for a treat, Gem!