QUESTION: There is a bubble in the covering of my kitchen countertop that should not be there. It must have been caused by a hot pot being set down on it. There is a slight marking at the crest of the bubble which is not noticeable but the raise in the material is what causes a problem. The material that covers the laminate counter is off-white. It is not large but is fairly visible in the position by the sink.
If you know of something that might shrink the bubble and return it to its previous position of being flat to the counter, I would be delighted to have this problem remedied. Thank you for anything you might be able to pass on to me.
ANSWER: Your best bet is to hold a hot hair dryer over the bubble, use pressure to push the counter flat and reactivate the glue. If the bubble remains, call in professionals.
QUESTION: I love your column and all the great household tips. I have matching sheer Dacron dining and living room curtains. I have had them for many, many years and they are still in good shape. I always wash them in the washing machine, but this time I inadvertently put the dining room curtains into the dryer. Now they are creased. I have tried ironing them, but that doesn't work. Any suggestions? Doreen
ANSWER: Restore the body of your Dacron curtains by soaking them in one gallon of water mixed with one cup Epsom salts, then rinse. Or put them in the bathtub and soak them with a half cup of hair conditioner and warm water. Hang outside to dry. Worst-case scenario, steam the curtains on a low setting.
QUESTION: On Halloween night (after midnight) some nice people egged our house with about four eggs. The first hit landed on our living room window and the other three on our stucco wall. Cleaning off the window and siding was easy however, the stucco was another problem. Our stucco is not the usual smooth painted stuff but rather a very rough type. When we had the stucco redone it was a permanent type that did not require painting as it is off white and wears quite well. I tried to wash eggs with soap and water using a scrub brush. Unfortunately the brush had some “debris” in it and I now have a streaky dirty wall where the eggs ran down towards the ground. I tried some plain hot water to no avail and also some cleaner used on cement driveways. Do you have any suggestions as to how this mess can be cleaned up? Sure will appreciate your comments. Thanks very much. Ralph, Winnipeg
ANSWER: If the stucco is painted the easiest solution is to purchase a small can of paint and cover the area. However, another option is to combine: 1 gallon warm water, 1 quart household bleach and 1 cup trisodium phosphate (TSP). Apply the solution to the entire area and lightly agitate with a soft bristle brush. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Repeat until stain vanishes. Although bleach is dangerous when combined with ammonia, research indicates that bleach may be combined with trisodium phosphate. If the stain remains you may want to use a stronger product, test on an inconspicuous area first. Clean the area with either oxalic acid and water or muriatic acid and water (use according to directions on the container). Muriatic is one of the most dangerous products available for household use therefore use caution. Oxalic acid is a bleaching agent and will work similar to bleach.
Feedback from Ralph:
Hello Reena,
Thanks for your input regarding ways to clean eggs, etc. off my stucco. I made a solution of warm water, bleach and TSP - soaked the area and then used my power washer to clean it off. I did this twice (thanks to the great weather we are having) and today it looks almost 100%. I will know more once it dries completely but it seems to have solved the problem. Thanks again. ralph
QUESTION: I read your questions, answers and tips faithfully every week. My question; how do you remove black permanent marker from painted white metal? I have tried bleach and paint thinner. Unfortunately, the writing is still there. Irene, Giroux, MB
ANSWER: Wow your friends with this magic trick! Draw over the area with a dry erase marker (test on an inconspicuous area first to make sure it rubs off). Rub off using a dry micro fiber cloth. Voila, bye, bye stain!
Pre-holiday Tips of the Week:
• Cleaning silver cleaning: If you have a small job, the best silver polish is white toothpaste. Dab some on your finger, and rub into the tarnish. For bigger pieces, use washing soda and a clean, damp sponge. While wearing gloves, make a paste of washing soda and water. Scoop the paste onto the sponge, and rub into the silver. Rinse with hot water and polish dry with a soft, clean cloth.
• For badly tarnished silver, pour washing soda and water into a pan lined with crumpled up aluminum foil, leave for 5-10 mins. rinse and polish.
• To get rid of candle wax from a tablecloth, let the wax harden—a quick way is to put it in the freezer. Then scrape it off the tablecloth with a dull knife. Place tea towels on both sides of the stain and set the iron on the warm setting, then iron (no steam) over the stained area. Change the towels often to absorb all of the wax. Launder as usual.
I enjoy your questions and tips; keep them coming!
Reena Nerbas is the author of the national bestselling Household Solutions series. Her website is www.householdsolutions.org. You can contact her at Box 429, Blumenort, Man., ROA 0C0.
