Three Minutes On Thursdays #6–Get Knotted!

I did some of these quick homekeeping tips last August and people were very appreciative. So I thought I’d do some more. [If you missed them, the details are here, and the tips are  #1,#2,#3,#4,#5]

I was prompted earlier in the week to write this tip – Bob was about to go out, and was tying his shoelaces, when both snapped! “Do we have any spare shoelaces?” he called. “How long are they?” I asked.

I went into the bedroom, and retrieved this little box from my dressing table drawer. [It is so old that the original lid fell to bits, and I found another one to fit] Tipping out the contents on the bed, I was quickly able to retrieve a pair of black 75cm laces to fit his best black leather shoes

I have put all my spare shoelaces in this box for over 25 years – there are the ‘extra’ laces which sometimes come with trainers,  some leather ones [bought for a craft project, but not all used] and even ones from shoes which wore out before the laces did. Now and then, I top up the box with a multipack from the Poundshop.

Having designated ‘places for laces’ is so useful. Laces usually snap when you are just getting ready to leave the house, and it is great when you can find a replacement instantly. I was very smug as I supplied Bob with what he needed this week. Shoe laces are brilliant for so many other uses. A small stash of shoelaces lasts ages, and you’d be surprised how often a shoelace proves more appropriate than just an ordinary length of string, ribbon or wool for tying things up! So I put odd laces in there too, if their partner snaps.

The multipacks often include very long ones – these make great drawstrings for fabric storage bags. They are also wonderful for children’s craft projects [and the stiffened ‘aglets’ on the ends make them easy to thread through holes]

Finally, especially to amuse Mags, [the original inspiration for my TMOTs] who needs great encouragement as she packs up her home ready for moving house, a brief video clip…