I wonder how many of you "remembered when" when I held up the nylon net "POOF" scrubber? These items were certainly a hot craft in the '70s, when every homemaker made one, or knew someone who did. They were the greatest for scrubbing everything, from the good crystal and China, to the floor, tub, or white sidewalls on the car. They did the job of cleaning without scratching.
And then they disappeared from view. My theory is that the manufacturers of the world discovered our little secret about nylon's scrubbing qualities, and began making all those colorful little scrubbers we're all so familiar with today.
But they're baaaa-ck! Not the poof, but nylon as a scrubber--the homemade version. This time, they're crocheted. My friend, Eva Parr, who lives in El Paso, Texas, gave me the scoop and now she shares her secrets with you, too.
Materials:
two inch wide nylon strips, 72 inches long
crochet hook - G or H
Note: Be sure to use the coarse nylon. DON'T use nylon tulle because it has smaller openings and is much softer. Also, the G or H crochet hook is not what you MUST use. It's what I used, and it seemed to work.
Steps:
- Crochet a chain of stitches (figure A) about four inches long, then SC back and forth, until you have a square. SC around to finish off the edge. That's all there is to it!
- Another version is made by crocheting a strip instead of a square, then folded it in half crosswise, and sewed the sides together. It can be slipped over your hand.
- Try knitting one using a #7 needle. It was tricky, but it can be done. The ridges make good scrubbers, but it IS tricky knitting on that net.
- The scrubbers didn't stop with the knitted and crocheted versions, however. Because I had showed the POOF, those in the studio decided I'd better tell how to make one. Here's how:
Materials:
one 20" length of string or wire
4 to 6 lengths of nylon net, 5" x 18"
Note: If you purchase a 1 yd. piece of 72" wide net, fold it in half (38"), then in half again (18"), and cut 5" wide strips.
Steps:
- Unfold and separate the net strips. Fold each one down the center lengthwise, and press with your fingernail to make an impression.
- Tie or wrap one end of the wire or string to an object and wrap the other end around your little finger of your left hand. Hold your hand so that the wire or string is taut. Slip a strip of the net over the string so the crease rests on it, and with your right hand, hold the two open edges of the net together. Start pulling it towards you, gathering it on the string. Repeat with the remaining strips.
- Carefully, so the gathered material will not slip off, bring the two ends of the wire or string together as tightly as possible, and tie or twist to hold.
- Separate the layers of nylon so you have a POOF. Now scrub, scrub, scrub!
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