QUESTION: There is a very bad odour coming from my bathroom that I have not been able to locate. I notice it mainly during humid weather. It disappears in colder weather. It seems to be coming from the outside area of the toilet, around the base. Signed, Help!
ANSWER: If your toilet tank and bowl sweat a lot in humid weather, it may be that sweat is dripping and wetting the floor around the toilet causing mold to grow. Also, when urine and sewer smells persist near a toilet despite careful cleaning, there may be an air leak at the wax ring of the toilet or in the vent pipe. Rotted or damp wood can also cause an odor.
Check to see if the toilet is tightly sealed to the floor. Grab the bowl of the toilet and try to slide it from side to side. It should resist a few pounds of pressure. If the toilet rocks from side to side, the wax ring has failed. Replace the seal.
One other tip: Make sure that the toilet is sealed, consider using a GE product called XST which is silicone but easier to use than typical silicone, it is also paintable, the drawback is it is more expensive than regular silicone. Alternatively, use a regular 100 per cent silicone seal to close the gap between the floor and the toilet where urine tends to collect, the drawback is it is difficult to remove when the toilet needs replacing.
QUESTION: Yesterday, I put a load of white clothes in the washing machine. I took them out of the washer and they looked nice and clean, so I threw them in the dryer. When I opened the dryer this morning, I was horrified to find that a tube of hot pink lip gloss from my pocket had opened and spread all over my nice white clothes, including my all-time favourite white hoodie! The product that got all over my clothes was raspberry lip shine.
Obviously, this was a big mistake on my part, and I am terribly embarrassed about it, but I thought if anyone knew what I could do about this, it would be you. If you have any idea of how to get this lip gloss out of my clothes, I would greatly appreciate hearing back from you. Thanks so much for your time and consideration, I will be sure to pick up your books for my friends. Dawne (Treherne, MB)
ANSWER: You are not alone; I have received many letters from people with the same challenge. Here are two options: Soak the clothes in hot water and Oxy Clean or soak each garment in a separate solution of half-cup Arm and Hammer washing soda and enough hot water to cover the clothes for 30 minutes. Wash as usual and air dry. Repeat until stains are gone. If all else fails, you can bring the white back to normal by using RIT dye remover according to the directions on the box.
QUESTION; I am at my wit's end, and ready to rip out our fairly new sink and replace it. Our bathroom sink drain has a musty smell most of the time. I have tried vinegar, bleach and tackled the overflow with both numerous times. I keep the metal sink stopper out all the time to let the drain air out. There are a couple of holes on either side of the inside of the drain and I clean these as best I can.
Do you have any suggestions? The plumber said it's quite common with many sinks and not a plumbing problem. Thanks for any help you can give me. Joan, Winnipeg
ANSWER: This problem is annoying especially when company is coming over. This sink dilemma may involve the drain and vent. The trap under the basin may not be holding enough water and is allowing sewer fumes into the room. If possible, remove the trap and clean it well with vinegar, water and dish soap. Also, clean the drain: pour one cup of vinegar into drain, chase with one cup of baking soda. Plug the drain and fill the sink with hot water. Leave overnight and in the morning, drain (it takes a couple of treatments to effectively remedy the odor).
Do this once a month to keep the bathroom smelling fresh. If the sink continues to smell, call a plumber to investigate the vent stack from the roof.
P.S. Vinegar and bleach is not a safe mixture -- in fact, you should not mix bleach with anything other than water.
Feedback from Manitoban's who Care
Re: Rhubarb leaves and potato bugs
*I just wanted to let you know that, although very effective for potato bugs, rhubarb leaf juice is also poisonous. Don't let your pets lick or drink it! Marie
*We had lots of potato bugs over the years. About ten years ago, I saw an article in a magazine and ever since then I have saved onion skins all winter and placed a few of them under my potatoes when planting. I have not had one potato bug since, it sure works for me. I hope it will work for Emilie and others too. Vicky
Handy Tips of the Week
*I was burned with hot butter over most of my hand, I immediately cut a russet potato in slices, placed them over the burn and wrapped my hand with a kitchen towel. The starch in the potato stopped most of the blistering and eased the pain. Submitted By: Lynn
*For crunchier coleslaw, cut a cabbage in half and soak it in salted water for an hour. Drain well and use. Submitted By: Lester
*If cookie dough gets gluey, resist the impulse to add extra flour so the cookies don't become tough. Cool in fridge until firm or roll out between two pieces of waxed or parchment paper. Submitted By: Lily
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Missed a column? Can't remember a solution? Need a motivational speaker for an upcoming event? Check out my website Reena.ca.
