QUESTION: We bought a homemade wooden writing desk. The drawers don't slide easily. What can we use to polish the slides? Linda
(Steinbach, Man.)
ANSWER: Your best bet is to rub the wood with some type of wax, either paraffin or carnauba. Use a candle if nothing else is available. Rubbing the wood with a bar of soap also works, but not as well. If the drawers still don't slide, sand the wood and then apply wax. Worst-case scenario, adhere plastic strips under the drawers.
QUESTION: Love reading your column every week. Some of the tips I already use, others are new. I am about to do some redecorating. It involves removing every item from each room, one room at a time. There are oak floors throughout the house, probably 60 years old. How can I clean them? I was hoping to use a professional service. However, they can no longer obtain the product they were using to clean floors. I need something that will do a good job but not break either my back or the bank! Thanks, Frances (Dominion City, Man.)
ANSWER: There are many products on the market designed specifically for cleaning waxed and un-waxed hardwood floors. Either way, your intention is to clean the wood finish and not the wood itself. To determine if the floors are waxed, drop a small amount of water onto the boards. If a noticeable spot remains, the floor is likely waxed. If that is the case, check out cleaners for old waxed hardwood floor such as Renovator by Dura Seal (you may need to purchase this online). There are many other options in stores. If your floor has a varnish finish, purchase polyurethane cleaner and then polyurethane sealer. If you prefer not to buy cleaner, you can clean the floor using a very small amount of water combined with equal parts white or apple cider vinegar. Clean with a microfibre mop and dry as you clean. Some people prefer to add a few drops of Murphy's Oil Soap to the water to give the floor added luster.
Hats off to these tips of the week
-- Wash that filthy baseball cap on the top rack of the dishwasher. Run the dishwasher without using detergent. When the hat is clean, place it on an inflated balloon to dry.
-- Wear your baseball cap in the shower. Wash with shampoo and rinse with water. Wear until dry to keep it perfectly shaped.
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Missed a column? Can't remember a solution? Need a corporate presenter on the topic: Harness the Power of Words? Check out my website, Reena.ca.
