FOTOLIO
White plastic outdoor furniture usually goes black or gets black spots if left outside over the years.
QUESTION: A short time ago you gave a solution to rid outdoor white plastic furniture of the black weathered marks. I have a favourite chair that looks very weathered but have forgotten your solution. Can you share it with me? — Sherrill
Answer: For all those with white plastic outdoor furniture at the cottage or in your backyard, it usually goes black or gets black spots if left out over the years. My wife discovered that they are easy to clean.
To clean, mix a solution of straight bleach or half water and half bleach, wet a paper towel with the solution, place on the black mould spots, then cover with plastic wrap and leave for a few hours.
Voila! Like new bright white plastic tables and chairs.
Wear rubber gloves.
Question: My son needs to wear his shoes in the house because he has ankle braces in them. These particular shoes are black and the soles are also black. They have left black marks on the "filler" portion of our DuraCeramic flooring. I don’t have grout in between the tiles but only the filler; it is called Congoleum DS200 DuraCeramic joint sealer (for Congoleum DuraCeramic floors). Can you suggest a way to get the black marks off? I haven’t tried anything other than regular soap and water because I don’t want to damage the tiles in any way. — Sandra
Answer: Begin by using a regular rubber eraser to remove the marks; that might do the trick.
According to their website, DuraCeramic recommends that you scrub the area with Congoleum Bright ‘N Easy No-Rinse Cleaner full strength.
Other options also recommended by DuraCeramic are to rub the area with either 10 to 1 dilution of water to liquid bleach or isopropyl alcohol or lemon juice or a paste of cream of tartar and water. Scrub with an abrasive cloth.
Shaving cream is a product that I would also definitely try.
Scrub gently, but firmly.
Question: I recently bought some Persil laundry detergent liquid and the crystals, and they both stink really terribly. Do you have a suggestion on how to tone down the smell of Persil? — Joan
Answer: You are not alone; many others agree that Persil has a very strong odour during the laundry cycle. Consider reducing the amount of product used with each load.
If you detect the odour after laundering, you might need an extra fabric rinse.
If you own a front-end washing machine, most use such a small amount of water that detergent may remain on the clothing following the wash cycle.
