QUESTION: How do we discourage cats from coming into our yard and flower beds and using it as a bathroom? Brenda, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Make your yard unattractive to cats; plant a patch of catnip away from your yard. Add mulch to garden areas, e.g. pine cones, or large flat river rock. Position rose bush branches along the ground where cats like to step. If you do not have rose bushes ask your local garden centre; they may be willing to donate thorny branches. Alternatively, lay down mats that have upward facing points (cats don't like prickles). Or plant "rue" -- cats detest the smell. Keep cats out of the garden by sprinkling coffee grounds or onions on the soil.
Pet and garden stores sell products e.g. predator urine and cat repellents or you can make your own. Cat repellent: Combine and sprinkle: 2 parts cayenne pepper, three parts dry mustard and five parts flour. The drawback is that you will need to reapply the mixture after rain. Or spray plants with a pepper and water solution or pour bleach around the edge of garden. Tip: Use the pepper spray to keep cats away from indoor houseplants as well as the Christmas tree.
QUESTION: Is there anything I can do to get rid of a yellow spot on my kitchen floor where I had a rubber-backed mat in front of my sink? Really enjoy reading your column in the Winnipeg Free Press. Betty-Jane, Winnipeg
ANSWER: The sulfur in your mat has left you with a yellow stain which is very often permanent. With so many vinyl and linoleum products on the market, it seems that what works on one does not necessarily work on another. If the floor is more than 50 years' old it is most likely linoleum. In this case, the linseed that makes up linoleum has discoloured. In order to bring back the colour the floor would need to be stripped and refinished. Doing this may or may not remove yellowing.
Or perhaps the floor is actually vinyl. Many people have found pouring three per cent hydrogen peroxide onto the floor everyday for three days is helpful. Other people have had great success by combining one quarter cup OxyClean with one gallon boiling water and pouring the solution onto the area. Another solution is Clorox but some say that this application removes the floor's finish and shine.
Lastly, mineral spirits is another treatment that people have told me worked for them. It's a shame that so many floors have a tendency to yellow and discolour most often from a rubber-backed rug or some other weight being left on one specific area.
QUESTION: I'm hoping you can help me solve this problem. One member of my family had some teeth extracted and bled on the top corner of the mattress. The mattress is only a couple of years old. I don't know how to get the blood stain out. Thank you. Linda, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Scrub the area with Head & Shoulders dandruff shampoo, rinse with water until stains are gone.
Fabulous Fungicide Tips Using Cornmeal:
You've heard of Battle of the Blades and Battle of the Bands, well now it's time you knew about "Battle of the Fungicide." Studies show that cornmeal is an effective "Battle of the Fungicide" winner!
Here's how:
Dry method -- Sprinkle and work two pounds of cornmeal into 100 square feet of soil. Water and reapply every 6-8 weeks.
Wet method -- Seep one cup cornmeal in one gallon water overnight. Strain and spray plants. Double or triple recipe as needed.
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.
