Question: I forgot a squash in my closet and it left a terrible stain on my untreated hardwood floor. Do you have any suggestions to clean up the black ugly stain? — Debbie
Answer: Your local hardware store likely carries floor touch-up dyes and floor fixes to restore floors. Another option is to sand the area gently with fine grit sandpaper until the stained area matches the rest of the floor.
After sanding is complete, if the floor is too light in colour, the easiest (and cheapest) solution is to boil a pot of strong tea.
When the tea is warm, put a cloth into the tea and wipe it onto the floor. Repeat several times.
Question: Thank you for all your wonderful tips. This past weekend I rubbed up against something while wearing my cashmere sweater. I was told to put baking soda on it. I did that and eventually sprayed it with Oxy Clean and washed in cold water. The stain is still there. I reapplied baking soda and Oxy again but the stain remains. My mom suggested chalk! Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. — Kim
Answer: Check the care label instructions; if possible, wash the sweater in hot water. Use cold water only if the label indicates that this is necessary, because some stubborn stains respond only to hot water.
Purchase Head and Shoulders dandruff shampoo and rub it into the stain. Hand-wash the sweater with the appropriate water temperature.
Question: Can you please give me a few tips regarding the best way to clean the moss between the pavers on our driveway? Is there a solution I can use? — Ardo
Answer: My favorite solution is to make your own weed killer by combining: 4 cups pickling vinegar, half a cup of salt and 2 tablespoons of dish soap. Spray on unwanted plants in driveway cracks. Be careful not to spray adjacent plants.
Leftover boiled potato water also makes an excellent weed killer for patios, driveways and paths.
Question: We had a water leak from the dishwasher under the vinyl on the floor and it left rust stains from the screws in the subfloor. — Karen
Answer: Pour one teaspoon of household ammonia, one teaspoon three-per-cent hydrogen peroxide and one drop dish soap onto the area. Cover with plastic wrap and leave for three hours. Scrub the area with a green scrubby pad (test on an inconspicuous area first).
Feedback from fantastic readers
I make my own fruit-fly catcher using apple cider vinegar. But I place the dispenser on a mouse trap glue board. This traps even more flies. — Edward
Here is the world’s easiest way to catch fruit flies. Purchase a small bottle of vinegar, the kind with the flip top. Open the lid and place it beside your sink. The flies become trapped and can’t find their way out. — Ranjan
Smart Tips of the Week:
- Use baby diaper-rash cream for rashes and itchy skin due to sunburn, medicine (such as Warfarin) and for underarm and under-breast soreness. (Check with your doctor first). Submitted By: Raine
- Use Vicks Vapo-Rub for night coughs due to smoking or medicines. Just spread a little on your nostrils before bed. Sleep tight. Also, use as a soothing rub on aching feet or arthritis swellings. (Check with your doctor first). Submitted By: Raine
Note: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first.
Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca. Ask a question or share a tip at reena.ca•
