QUESTION: My late mother spent two weeks in respite in a nursing home and all her clothes were labelled including her socks. This is enough clothes for a month's holiday and the nursing home offers no solution for removing the ink except to ink out her name. The apparel is all in good condition and stylish and we wish to donate to our hometown project for gently used clothes. I'm hoping you have a solution for this problem and would be willing to share it with me. Thanking you in advance and hope to hear from you. A fan of yours, Elva, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Sounds like you are talking about permanent marker on clothing in which case I would recommend that you spray the area with bug spray that contains DEET. Let soak and then scrub with dish soap and water. It's worked in the past, give it a try!
QUESTION: I have six containers -- the collapsible ones that are covered with fabric, not leather. They are all brand new and every one of them has the strangest odour. Not a foul odour but nevertheless the smell is terrible. I have tried the following: Putting baking soda in and closing the lids, putting in vinegar and closing the lids, leaving them outside open in the sunshine for several days in the summer, putting in newspaper, spraying with Febreeze. The idea was to store blankets, etc. in them but the smell goes onto the blankets and I have to wash them before I can use them. Nothing seems to help, the smell is still there. Any ideas? Enjoy your column. Carol, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Sounds like the odour is caused by the dye used to manufacture the fabric. This is a common occurrence for fabrics that are imported, especially dark fabrics. When dye is the culprit there is often nothing that can be done. However, with your many solutions you have not yet cleaned the surface of the textile. Although I am not aware of the fabric content, I recommend that you scrub the fabrics with a solution of dish soap, water and tea tree oil (found at most grocery and health food stores). If the fabric is non-washable, scrub with shaving cream.
QUESTION: We replaced our bathtub and surround with a molded unit made of vinyl. It was purchased about three years ago. The cleaning instructions said not to use any substance or material that would scratch the surface and we should just wipe out after each use. This is fine when the shower only is used but I cannot get rid of the ring around the tub. Is there a non-abrasive way to clean the tub? Thanks for any help you can suggest. Anna, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Here's a great recipe that I like to call Mist and Shout: Mix together half cup baking soda, two tablespoons glycerine (found in grocery stores where bandages are sold) and two tablespoons liquid dish soap or Suave shampoo. Scrub tub with a green scrubby pad and rinse. Store remainder in a plastic bottle.
QUESTION: I attended one of your Home Sweet Home Conferences last month and got many great household tips. Since then I have experienced an annoying problem that you did not talk about. Whenever I type on my computer keyboard (which is a lot) the keys stick. The computer is only one year old and this problem just started but it is driving me crazy because my entire job is computerized. Any advice would be great! Pat, Souris, Man.)
ANSWER: With the computer off, wipe the keyboard with a soft cloth and rubbing alcohol. Make sure that you pour the alcohol onto the cloth; do not pour the rubbing alcohol onto the keyboard. You only need a little bit and make sure to wipe between the keys because a lot of grime gets in there.
Fabulous Tip of the Week:
-- Save pumpkin seeds, they are high in protein and low in fat. Clean off flesh (or leave on) and season with seasoning salt. Bake on greased baking sheet at 300 degrees for about one hour or until golden brown. Add to trail mixes or eat separately.
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.
