QUESTION: We have new bamboo floors in our home. What should we use on the floor to clean it? Different people with lots of different ideas have advised us, but no one has the right solution. Thank you in advance.
Gordon, Birtl
ANSWER: Not only are bamboo floors beautiful, they are also easy to maintain. Professional cleaning products such as Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaning Kits may be used for maintenance and daily cleaning. Many people use micro-fibre mops. Make sure to only slightly dampen the mop (too much water will damage the floor over time). Vacuum and mop the floor regularly. Wood-floor cleansing agents should be diluted in water before use.
To ensure that your bamboo floor retains its natural shine and texture for life, an additional coating of urethane can be applied every 2 years for commercial-use flooring, and every 8 years for residential use. Never wax your bamboo floor. The urethane-based finish is designed to protect your floor for years. Wipe up any spills immediately. Protect your floor from everyday use by installing felt or plastic protectors under feet of furniture. Caster-wheeled chairs should have wide casters. Beware of high heels; this can damage even the toughest flooring material.
QUESTION: I purchased some rubber mats for my new car and I can't get rid of the rubber smell. I've scrubbed them, frozen them, poured boiling hot water on them and they still smell. Can you help? Thank you.
Jasper, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Great effort on your part but the problem is not on the exterior of the rubber: What you smell are the chemicals used in making the rubber. You can leave them outside for a few days, wash them with vinegar, tea tree and water or sprinkle them with coffee grounds or wash them in the bathtub with laundry detergent. However, even if the smell leaves for a while it will likely return. If the odour is driving you up the wall it may be in your best interest to exchange the mats for a different brand.
QUESTION: How can I get diesel fuel odour out of upholstered boat cushions that have foam inside of the material?
Marjorie, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Begin by cleaning the cushions with dish soap and water. Blot the entire cushion and lay on the grass to air dry. When the cushions are dry purchase heavy-duty garbage bags and put one of the cushions inside the bag with a few dryer sheets or cotton balls soaked with vanilla. Use your vacuum nozzle to suck out all of the air in the bag. Close the bag and leave for a day or two. Remove cushion and repeat steps with the next cushion.
QUESTION: I heard you on the radio and you were incredible! I have a stain question. I'm a body-care manufacturer. One day I was making lip balm and accidentally poured some of the hot liquid (oil and beeswax) on my cotton pants. I've treated them with two different natural stain removers (from the health-food store) and washed them numerous times (and accidentally put them through the dryer once) to no avail. In fact, there are more spots on the pants now then when I started.
Aimee, Vita
ANSWER: What often happens when items with oil spills are being washed is that the oil will float in the water and disperse all over the fabric. Since the fabric has gone through the dryer, this stain will be difficult to remove. Your best bet is going to be soaking the pants in water and washing soda (found in the laundry section of most grocery stores). Soak or boil the pants for 10 minutes and then wash; be sure to check the stain before putting the pants in the dryer. If the stain is stubborn, you can use RIT dye remover; this does carry a strong odour but it is wonderful at removing stains on clothes. You can then redye the pants or leave them as is depending on the colour that they become after you have used the dye remover (be sure to ventilate).
Fabulous Tips of the Week from Manitobans:
1) Yesterday, my daughter got gum in her hair, and I was dreading the "peanut butter" treatment! Rather than use ice or cut her hair, I took the section of hair that was full of gum and put a paper towel behind it, then sprayed it thoroughly with Pam cooking spray, let it sit for a couple of minutes, and was able to comb all of the gum out. A quick hair shampoo and problem solved! The paper towel was used to help catch the spray from soaking into the rest of her hair. Take care. Tina
2) Was interested in your column about using leftover rice. Sometimes I make rice pudding: Place rice in bowl, add 1-2 cups of low-fat cool whip, rinse half to one cup raisins and add about 2-3 teaspoons of cinnamon. Mix well and cool in fridge until needed. It is delicious. This would be for using about two cups of rice. Love your books and always read your column. Gail
3) When barbecuing hamburgers this summer, don't press down on the meat when the burgers are on the grill. That will just press out moisture and you'll end up with dry burgers.
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.
