Save time and, perhaps, the world
Remember MacGyver, the TV secret agent who could wriggle himself out of a jam or defuse a nuclear warhead with whatever was handy (a few paper clips, a bar of soap, a roll of duct tape)?

He could learn a thing or two from Roy Bowen.

Bowen, a 30-year maintenance veteran from Chicago, says solutions to many common plant problems are under your nose. And if theyre not there, check on a grocery or pharmacy shelf. Bowen sent in some of his tried-and-true ideas.

Removing tough nuts, bolts or screws: If youve got a nut, etc., that just wont budge, try tightening it a tiny bit before undoing it. If that doesnt work, or if the nut is rusted, pour on a little Coca-Cola and wait a few minutes. If that doesnt work, drip on some iodine and wait five minutes. If you dont have iodine, use hydrogen peroxide. Most of the time, one of these will work.

Preventing rust on tools: Clean the tools with some steel wool, then rub on a thin layer of petroleum jelly. Keep a charcoal briquette and/or piece of chalk in your toolbox to absorb any moisture.

Prepping shovels: Every winter, we get stuck with shoveling. To
prevent rust and keep snow from sticking to the shovel, coat it with floor wax or spray on some non-stick vegetable oil and let it dry.

MacGyver would be proud.

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