Home handyman advice needed

[Hondo]

A pack of cereal has dropped down the side of our cupboard inside a 10cm gap between it and the wall that goes about 2.5m down to the floor.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how on earth I get it out without pulling apart the cupboard?

I am thinking of taping something to the end of a pole .... but what? A hook maybe ...

I am stumped here. If anybody has any suggestions I would appreciate it. I'd leave it but the ants will have a field day when they find it. Ants or cockroaches ...

[mickey]

[JAS]

A pack of cereal has dropped down the side of our cupboard inside a 10cm gap between it and the wall that goes about 2.5m down to the floor.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how on earth I get it out without pulling apart the cupboard?

I am thinking of taping something to the end of a pole .... but what? A hook maybe ...

I am stumped here. If anybody has any suggestions I would appreciate it. I'd leave it but the ants will have a field day when they find it. Ants or cockroaches ...

A photo would help but if it's just a narrow gap between cupboards or the cupboard and wall and not wedged solid then maybe try using a vacuum cleaner hose/nozzle to try and drag it out.

Regards
JAS

[A Mum]

A pack of cereal has dropped down the side of our cupboard inside a 10cm gap between it and the wall that goes about 2.5m down to the floor.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how on earth I get it out without pulling apart the cupboard?

I am thinking of taping something to the end of a pole .... but what? A hook maybe ...

I am stumped here. If anybody has any suggestions I would appreciate it. I'd leave it but the ants will have a field day when they find it. Ants or cockroaches ...

It depends how 'heavy' the cereal is...lol.

I've retrieved things before by putting a big wad of blue tac on the end of a broom stick - push down on the cereal packet as hard as you can and slowly pull it up

PS: JAS's idea sounds pretty good.

[smac]

Use a vac to get all the cereal out, then forget the box.

Or, if the box is right way up and open, something that speads apart inside the box so you can lift it may be easiest.

[dedja]

Just consider that you've fed a whole lot of mice for the next few weeks ...

Is it the just the inside bag or the box as well?

If it's just the bag then the vacuum might work.

If it's in the box and it's upright, a coat hanger hook (or bent nail) on the end of a long broom stick (or 2) may do the trick.

If the bag is quite full and in the box, just wedging a pole (broom) between the bag and the inside the box may be enough.

I suspect your issue will be the 2.5m drop and the room you have above that space to manoeuvre.

Throw on some beers and fire up the BBQ and we can all come around to help ...

[White Line Fever]

Pour some milk down there.

[Psyber]

Is it possible to cut a hole in the back of the cupboard at the bottom to get it out, then cover the hole with a strip of thin timber or board painted to match?
And also put something over the gap at the top to prevent it happening again - mesh if ventilation is needed.

[Johno6]

@ WLF

use a metal coat hanger...
sticky tape it to a broom or something.
if that doesnt work then u will be hungry for the next few weeks
so u will lose wait with no eating and u will be skinny enough to reack down n grab it

[Johno6]

p.s
what kind of cereal was it?

[Hondo]

To answer the various questions:

- the box is unopened
- not sure of the relevance but it's Sultana Bran
- the new built in cupboard doesn't reach the side wall so they covered the front with a long strip of the laminate stuff the door is out of leaving a gap at the top that is about 2.5m to the floor
- the ceiling is another 1m above the cupboard so I do have some room to manouvre

Thanks for all your advice. My plan will be to tape a coat hanger to the end of a long straight edge or a broom pole and try to hook it up.

[Mr Beefy]

To answer the various questions:

- the box is unopened
- not sure of the relevance but it's Sultana Bran
- the new built in cupboard doesn't reach the side wall so they covered the front with a long strip of the laminate stuff the door is out of leaving a gap at the top that is about 2.5m to the floor
- the ceiling is another 1m above the cupboard so I do have some room to manouvre

Thanks for all your advice. My plan will be to tape a coat hanger to the end of a long straight edge or a broom pole and try to hook it up.

Maybe a cobweb broom as they extend, I have a tent peg on the end of ours - cant remember why but it is still taped on there...

[Hondo]

Tent peg ... good idea

I have something similar that may be more solid to work with than the coat hanger

I am feeling confident I can salvage this situation tonight when I get home

[Johno6]

ERK All Pran....

Just leave it.

you still gonna eat them when u get them

we also want a photo diary of a step by step process

[locky801]

Tent peg ... good idea

I have something similar that may be more solid to work with than the coat hanger

I am feeling confident I can salvage this situation tonight when I get home

This is more exciting than the Bold and the Beautiful

[Booney]

I've been watching this thread all day and it really has me concerned.

Primarily you're asking for help cleaning, well, that's basically what it is, isn't it, cleaning.

You then ask for handyman advise...handyman.

[Booney]

To answer the various questions:

- the box is unopened
- not sure of the relevance but it's Sultana Bran
- the new built in cupboard doesn't reach the side wall so they covered the front with a long strip of the laminate stuff the door is out of leaving a gap at the top that is about 2.5m to the floor
- the ceiling is another 1m above the cupboard so I do have some room to manouvre

Thanks for all your advice. My plan will be to tape a coat hanger to the end of a long straight edge or a broom pole and try to hook it up.

Then ( and you wouldn't get this advise from a woman ) COVER THE BLOODY HOLE WITH SOMETHING!!!

[Ian]

Mrs Ian says if the box is unopened and you have a good quality vacuum cleaner (she says not a crapy Dyson) you should be able to get the vacuum to suction on tt the packet and pick it up

I reckon her 1500w Wertheim would lift a bag of flour

[JK]

Mrs Ian says if the box is unopened and you have a good quality vacuum cleaner (she says not a crapy Dyson) you should be able to get the vacuum to suction on tt the packet and pick it up

I reckon her 1500w Wertheim would lift a bag of flour

Conversely get out the Ryobi blower and see if you can push it even further into the Abyss and out of sight

[Alaska]

I am so rapped with this thread, although I have owned Wertheim’s and other such expensive vacuums that could not possibly do this.
I suggest using the power of the Force! (I have a blow gun (use the barbed arrow) that u attach to a fishing line and viola)