QUESTION: We moved some things around in our living room and after all of our effort, we are left with a dent in the carpet. Can you tell me how to get rid of the carpet dent? Simon (Selkirk, Man.)
ANSWER: You can use a damp cloth and a hot iron or hair dryer to remove carpet dents (be careful not to scorch the carpet). Place the damp cloth over dents and place the iron on top for a few seconds. Keep the cloth damp. Then take a soft hairbrush and brush over it to bring up any remaining spots. This may take several minutes. Or just place a few ice cubes in each of the indentations. When the ice melts, use a pet fur brush to pull up the carpet. The indentation should be gone. Another option is to use a garment steamer or steam iron to soften the indented area (be careful not to soak the carpet), and gently rake the pile with fingers or a brush to fluff them up again. This takes care of the pile only. Indentations in the padding beneath the carpet will take some time. After the pressure source is removed it will become less flat.
QUESTION: I am interested in any ideas you have to keep bats from roosting on the outside of my house and leaving their droppings and staining my stucco. Thank you. Amy (Winnipeg)
ANSWER: The easiest way to prevent bats from roosting on your house is to light it up. Bats prefer dark and quiet environments. If you can shine a spotlight on several areas of your home, this will help to discourage them. Secondly, screen the areas where the bats tend to roost to encourage them to find another location to live, such as a bat house. Put jars of Vicks VapoRub where the bats like to hang out; they hate the smell.
Lastly, if you don't mind bats living nearby, consider investing in a bat house. This will be a good compromise for both of you. If you choose to invest in a bat house, place it in a high area that receives the most sunlight. Although bats do not enjoy light, they do like warmth and once the climate of the bat house is toasty and comfy, the bats will be able to call it home.
Cleaning bat droppings is not risk-free and may contaminate other areas of your home and yourself. One option is muriatic acid, a dangerous and powerful cleaner for concrete surfaces. Use with caution according to the directions on the container. Because muriatic acid is strong (and may damage the paint), you may want to begin with something a little less dangerous such as phosphoric acid masonry cleaner or T.S.P. Warning: It is important never to mix T.S.P. with any acid! Test on an inconspicuous area first. WD-40 is an option for siding and smoother surfaces. Follow up with dish soap and water using a pressure washer.
Feedback from a Manitoba reader
Hi Reena,
Enjoy your column. Where to keep your auto registration has always vexed me, so I made a compromise. I lock it in the glove compartment using the ignition key. That way, if the car is stolen by hot wiring, the registration is relatively safe. Yes, if the car is broken into the glove box can be broken into as well, but one does what one can. W.
Fabulous tips of the week
-- Add sour cream and cream cheese to your mashed potato recipe. Heat before serving. This will allow you to make the potato dish ahead of time (even a day or two) and they remain fluffy and delicious. Submitted by Glenda
-- With such a long winter, my house was dry. The worst part was I got shocks every time I stepped onto the carpet. To solve this, I filled a spray bottle with one part liquid fabric softener to four parts water and sprayed the carpet. No more shocks! Submitted by Esther
-- Whenever my sliding patio door begins to stick, I spray the rail with furniture polish and then it easily glides. Submitted by Victor
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Missed a column? Can't remember a solution? Need a speaker for an upcoming event? Check out my website, Reena.ca.
