QUESTION: I am a fan of yours and read your column weekly. It is wonderful that you can recommend so many solutions that involve products that most of us have in our kitchens. I live in a highrise condominium and we have artificial plants in our front lobby that get really dusty and look awful. Can you suggest something that will remove the dust and yet not destroy the "plants"? Thank you so much. Sincerely, Myrna, Winnipeg
ANSWER: It sounds as though the plants are too large to lift into the shower and then hose down with water. You can vacuum the dust off of your plants. Cover the hose of your vacuum with an old pantyhose leg (secure with an elastic band). This will keep the suction from pulling your plant into the hose and damaging it. Also, a dryer sheet can be used to wipe down larger petals and leaves. The coarse, tacky sheet removes dust with ease. Or make your own artificial plant cleaner at home: mix a small amount of lemon dish soap (to help get any grease off) with water in a spray bottle. Spray onto plant and wipe off.
QUESTION: I have recently felt the need to polish a fibreglass boat and a motorhome, both of which needed to be given a shine. The polishing products I purchased were not as magical as their labels claimed. They were offered in sizes that were not large enough and were very expensive. Do you happen to have any homemade recipes for waxes or polishing solutions that might accomplish the same or better results? Thanks, Rob (Gladstone, Man.)
ANSWER: Maguire's remover is a very popular product with good results but of course the trick is to experiment to see which works best for you. You can try a variety of oxidation removers and test for results. The polymer-based liquid waxes are quite good. You don't have to buff and rub hard to achieve a shine. Just wipe product off with a terry cloth towel. The following is a list of household products that you can use to clean different parts of your boat and motorhome:
Fibreglass: Baking soda, salt and water;
Aluminum: One tablespoon cream of tartar in half a litre of hot water;
Wood: Polish with olive oil;
Windows/plastic: one part vinegar to two parts water;
Brass: Worcestershire sauce;
Chrome: Polish with baby oil;
Degreaser: Paste of lemon juice and borax;
Scouring: Baking soda and water;
Mildew: Equal parts of lemon juice or vinegar and salt.
A reader sent me the following homemade recipe for cleaning fibreglass. In a pot heat to dissolve one-quarter pound shredded beeswax, cool. Add half cup of turpentine, quarter cup of liquid Ivory soap, one cup of warm to boiling water and quarter cup of pine oil. Mix until solution dissolves and congeals.
QUESTION: I am wondering if you can give me a non-toxic solution for removing mould on windows. The windows are a cheap variety as we have a 1980 house. In appreciation, Rachel (Brandon, Man.)
ANSWER: While wearing a mask scrub the area with an unscented dish soap and water solution, then sponge with a clean, wet rag and dry quickly. Another option is to fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and 10 drops of tea tree oil. Spray the mouldy area and scrub with an old toothbrush. Wipe with a clean cloth to dry.
Fabulous tips from readers:
-- Instead of storing dish soap in a bottle, decant it into a plastic bottle with a squeeze nozzle. That bottle of dish soap will last about three times as long. Save money and the planet. (The pull-up tops of detergent often dispense more than you need. Cheers, Rowena
-- I like to reduce the flour amount in most cookie recipes by one-quarter cup to make the tenderest cookies that do not dry out even after several days. Tina
-- I make icing with confectioners' sugar and milk. I make it fairly thin, as I 'paint' the icing onto the cookies with a pastry brush. Make it thin enough to spread easily but not so thin that it just makes your cookies wet and runny. Jessica
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., R0A 0C0.
