Rainwater Filter, Overnight Oven Cleaner, and Other Country Lore

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Illustration by MOTHER EARTH NEWS Staff
Minnesotan Larry Dake came up with this rainwater filter: heavy debris falls into the barrel, while relatively clean water moves on to the cistern.

The following housekeeping tips and assorted bits of country lore were submitted by readers.

Rainwater Filter

Morris, Minnesota resident Larry Dake has devised a way to keep the liquid that collects in his rainwater cistern relatively clear and odor-free. He sets a barrel (complete with spigot and cover) below the downspout of the eaves trough, and connects the closed barrel to the spout with a simple T-joint. When it rains, the first rush of water rinses the dirt and debris from the roof into the barrel. Then, by the time the container is full, the roof is clean, and all the remaining runoff water automatically overflows into the cistern. (The barrel can be emptied and its contents used to water plants.)

  • Published on Mar 1, 1983
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