QUESTION: I've become hooked on your Solutions column in the Free Press. Now I have a need for your advice myself, with what is probably a common household mess: how does one get candle wax off carpet?
The other problem I need a solution to is how to get a product called Gorilla Glue off of hard surfaces, such as the bathroom counter, bathroom linoleum and a metal shower rod. This powerful glue found its way everywhere when someone in our house used it to fix something in the bathroom. I'd be grateful for help with these two problems. Thank you! Christina, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Two great questions, let's begin with the candle wax stain. What you need to do is place a single layered brown paper bag over the wax and, using a warm iron, press the area to lift the wax. Move the bag around so you don't push wax farther into the carpet. When the wax is a distant memory, take Head and Shoulders dandruff shampoo and water and pour it over the area to completely clean the rest of the mess (test on an inconspicuous area first).
As for the glue, funny you didn't say who in your family monkeyed around with Gorilla Glue and made a mess. Zap that stain by soaking the area with acetone. Leave for an hour and wipe (test on an inconspicuous area first). If the mess remains, you can head over to your local hardware store and purchase Gorilla Glue Remover.
QUESTION: I have a beautiful hot pink hibiscus plant. It was hanging on my balcony all summer and produced the most gorgeous huge blossoms. Finally, the squirrels found it and destroyed the buds. I brought it inside a few weeks ago and it is in a bright-light location. It has many buds and the blooms are smaller, but lovely. However, I think it is being attacked by aphids. I noted from your web page bananas discourage aphids. How do I use the bananas and is there a safe spray I can use? Thank you for any help that you may be able to provide. Barbara, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Get rid of aphids by shredding banana peels and burying them around your plants. Here are a few additional options: Steep cigarette tobacco in water, leave for two days and spray. Or mix two teaspoons of mild laundry or dish soap in a bottle of lukewarm water, add 1 tsp. vegetable oil. Spray the insecticide once a week on all affected plants.
QUESTION: Your help would be GREATLY appreciated. We just had black granite (Nero Absolute) installed and sealed. There are already two rings on it, and a pale, non-glossy mark I am pretty sure was caused by lemon juice.
I have a sample of the black granite and I tried the lemon juice on it and it did not mark. I've read black granite should not be sealed and that the marks are actually marks on the sealant. It was recommended to get rid of the sealant by using paint stripper I tried on a very small sample of the granite installed, which I deliberately stained with lemon juice to see if the paint stripper would help. I used tons of paint strippers and waited quite some time but it didn't seem to help or harm the situation. I tried acetone as well; nothing happened. I am getting to the point where I want to have the counter taken out, which would be incredibly expensive. Do you have any solutions? Even a wax to disguise it would help. THANKS SO MUCH! Marg (Winkler, MB)
ANSWER: First of all, good for you that you tested treatments on a sample of the counter instead of the real deal!
Secondly, some people say black granite (like all other granites) should be sealed while other professionals completely disagree and say if black granite is sealed it can actually be the cause of staining problems. The argument is that black granite such as 'black absolute' is actually not true granite, but a dense rock and does not absorb much (including sealers).
Call in the professionals to get rid of the sealer by using a right-angle polisher/grinder with a 7-inch-diameter pad-holder, a white nylon pad to fit it, and some oxalic acid (it's a white powder and can be found at any good hardware store). You will also need a spray bottle with some tap water. Sprinkle some oxalic acid over an area to fit under the 7-in.-diameter pad, spray a mist of water, over four square feet, put your polisher on top of the powder, rub it a few times (without pulling the trigger) to form a paste (oxalic acid with the water), then apply a certain amount of pressure, pull the trigger and buff the area you've targeted, until it becomes dry and shiny. Repeat until you've treated the whole counter. Taken from Maurizio (findstone.com)
Fabulous tips of the week:
* Cooked chicken and turkey should not be left in your refrigerator for more than two days. This also applies to stuffing and gravy.
* Tired of turkey sandwiches? A turkey enchilada or burrito is a unique yet tasty option, as is a turkey quesadilla (use dark meat for the latter so the flavour is strong enough to hold its own with the cheese). A turkey-based chili is delightful, and a nice belly warmer on a chilly October evening.
* Instead of a turkey sandwich, make a turkey-salad sandwich. This is a great option for the last scraps, since you will want small pieces.
* When freezing leftovers, it's best to use large pieces and seal well to prevent drying. Ideally, you don't want to store turkey for more than a couple of months. Always make sure leftovers are reheated thoroughly.
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, MB, ROA 0C0.
