Steven Senne / The Associated Press
Blueberries fall under tannins as a stain classification.
Question: I think of you for so many household questions that befuddle me. And here’s another one. I have a big, straw summer purse with cloth lining. I spilled blueberries on the lining and don’t know how to clean the purse. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks kindly. I really appreciate your advice. Cynthia
Answer: Since blueberries are fruit and fruit falls under tannins as a stain classification, they must be treated as such. If you treat tannin stains the same as you would oil-based or protein stains, you will likely end up setting the stain.
So when you are dealing with messes such as fruit, alcoholic beverages, tea/coffee, cologne, felt-tipped pens, fruit juices, soft drinks and tomato juice, they must be treated as such.
For example, if you wash tannin stains with bar soap, soap flakes or detergents containing natural soap, you have a good chance of setting the stain and making it difficult to remove.
Your best bet is to soak your purse in dish soap and hot white vinegar. Leave for one hour. Next hold the purse over a pot of hot water and pour boiling water through the stain (this is probably a two person job). Leave to dry and repeat if needed.
The heat of the water should not damage the purse, but try pouring a small amount on the bottom first just to be safe.
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: 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.
Locate a few empty jars or cups and inside each pour one-quarter teaspoon of dish soap, one-quarter cup of water and one-quarter cup of apple cider vinegar. Cover the opening with plastic wrap and puncture a hole for the flies to enter. In the morning you will notice fruit flies floating at the bottom of every cup.
Question: An ember from our fireplace burnt a small hole in our new carpet, about the size of a cigarette burn. We have leftover pieces of carpet, and I think there is a way to cut fibers to fill the burn hole, but I am not sure exactly how to do this or what kind of glue to use so it won’t get vacuumed up. The carpet is a plush pile, 65 oz weight, and since the hole is so small I want to fix it myself. Thank-you, Morgan
Answer: Trim the entire burnt parts away with small scissors. Using your leftover carpet, trim several pieces of fiber. Superglue the fibers into the burnt area. Check the repaired area in a day and add more snipped pieces if needed.
Question: The fly zipper on my brand new pants does not easily open and close. I need to know how to fix it without replacing the zipper. Thanks, Morgan
Answer: Rub lip balm or Alberto VO5 Conditioning Hairdressing into the teeth of the zipper. Or glide a candle along the teeth to coat the zipper.
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.
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