QUESTION: I had my fabric iron setting on too high and some fabric melted onto the iron. I tried sanding a small area but it scratched the iron. How can I get rid of the fabric mark without damaging the iron? Thanks.
-- Ms. S., Winnipeg
ANSWER: Turn your iron to the hottest setting. Place a single layer brown paper bag on a cookie sheet and set it on your ironing board. Pour a generous amount of salt on the bag. Rub the iron around on the salt in a circular motion. If it doesn't come off the first time, toss out the first bit of salt and re-salt the bag.
QUESTION: How do you clean the brown gunk off of the inside of the toilet bowl, where the big hole is and the water goes down? Thank you.
-- Sam, Treherne, MB
ANSWER: Ah, the glamour of my job never ceases to amaze me! Your best bet is to head down to the local beauty store and purchase a pumice stone. Wet the stone with water and dish soap. Scrub the inside of the toilet where you notice brown stains. Pumice stones will not typically scratch toilets interiors but they will scratch bathtub finishes therefore avoid using pumice on the bathtub. Test on an inconspicuous area first just to be safe, but I have had great results with this method.
QUESTION: I hope you can help me. I am in the process of re-finishing an antique chest given to me by a family member. I have never done this before. Anyway, I was going to throw away the hardware that came with it and buy some new stuff. But a friend of mine told me to clean up the old stuff instead, as I might never find what I need. The old hardware is brass or gold knobs and handles which are pretty dirty and rusty. Can you help with a solution to clean these so I can put them back on? Thank you.
-- Shannon, Winnipeg
ANSWER: I think you and your friend are smart, why spend money when you can make the handles look as good as new? Fill a bowl with white vinegar and place the handles inside the bowl. Next sprinkle a liberal amount of salt over the vinegar. Let the handles soak for 10 mins. and polish with olive oil. If the handles require additional cleaning, spray them with WD-40 and polish with a soft cloth. Test on an inconspicuous area first just to be safe.
QUESTION: My bathroom vanity sinks and tops are white cultured marble. I don't want to scratch the finish with a harsh cleaner. What should I use to keep them shining like new?
-- Sue, New Bothwell, MB
ANSWER: Cultured marble is a popular choice for bathrooms; it is not a totally synthetic product. In fact real natural marble dust is used to make cultured marble; it is then combined with liquid polyester resin to create a less porous easier to maintain product. To keep your countertops shiny, avoid any cleaners that carry abrasives. For regular cleaning combine a few drops of tea tree oil with white vinegar wipe and rinse with water or clean regularly with dish soap and water. Every few months use a soft cloth and apply car wax or countertop wax and buff out. You may also want to check out retail products designed specially for keeping cultured marble countertops looking good such as; Countertop Magic.
QUESTION: Can you tell me how to get rid of the cluster of fruit flies congregating around my fruit bowl? They seem to be multiplying by the second and I don't know what to do.
-- Thanks, Mike
ANSWER: How can I tactfully word this? Move your fruit bowl! If you are noticing a fruit fly infestation, store all fruit in the fridge; ripe fruits and vegetables provide a perfect breeding site for fruit flies. Cut away damaged or cracked parts of fruit and vegetables in case fruit fly eggs or larvae are present. Look for spills in cupboards, under appliances, and near stinky garbage cans. Organic matter left in drains is an attractant to fruit flies; clean the drain to get rid of eggs.
Take a few empty jars or cups and inside each place: one quarter teaspoon dish soap, one quarter cup water and one quarter cup apple cider vinegar. In the morning you will notice fruit flies floating at the bottom of every cup.
Feedback from Readers:
I took your advice and tried vinegar in the wash rinse cycle as a substitute for dryer balls and fabric softener. Fantastic results even a load of towels came out cleaner, soft and bright. We have to buy your books and I enjoy your great column. P.S. Do you know anybody who wants a new box of fabric softener sheets? We don't need them anymore.
-- Tom, Winnipeg
Thanks Tom,
I'm with you on the vinegar. As for the fabric softener sheets why don't you give them to someone battling mice in their camper trailer? Mice don't like the smell! All the best!
Reena Nerbas' website is www.householdsolutions.org. You can contact her at Box 429, Blumenort, MB, ROA0C0.
