Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
Easy tips to get apartment deposit back
QUESTION: I'm moving out in a month from my apartment, and I have a very picky landlord. I would like to give him no reason to hold part of my deposit.
-- There are some PVC vertical blinds that were originally beige, and I spray-painted them yellow, orange, green and blue. What is my best move to bring them back to their original colour?
-- From moving in three years ago, some furniture left black marks on the beige walls; can I easily get rid of them without looking for matched paint?
-- On the hardwood floor there is one limited spot where it is scratched with small white lines, can I improve the look of it? I'm afraid to sand just a small spot like that.
-- Leftover from a Halloween decoration, there is a "tape mark" on the ceiling; can I get rid of it? Thanks a lot for all your fabulous tips. Nathalie, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Let's see if we can get your entire deposit back with the following solutions. Using a spray paint, lightly spray the blinds to cover the previous paint colours. Several thin coats are better than one big fat thick coat of paint. Purchase good quality paint so that it does not run, and is thick enough to cover up the blue hue.
For wall scuff marks, dampen a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and erase all black lines. Or if you happen to have borax on hand, combine half cup borax with two tablespoons of dish soap and scrub wall. Rinse with water.
To cover up scratches on hardwood floors, you can purchase touch-up kits. However, what I would do instead is reach into your cupboard and pull out a jar of smooth peanut butter. Spread peanut butter onto areas. Let sit for one hour and wipe off all excess. Or colour in with matching crayon or permanent marker.
While you are waiting for the peanut butter on the floor to dry, take the jar and smear some on the ceiling to get rid of adhesive tape (or use WD-40). Wipe with dish soap and water. Or heat area with hair dryer and scrape with a plastic putty knife. Happy moving!
QUESTION: How do you clean a brass mailbox? Thanks. Lovie, Winnipeg
ANSWER: You can either clean your mailbox with a product called Brasso, specifically designed for cleaning brass. Or use WD-40, a product that is great for cleaning brass and most people have a can on hand. Scrub with an abrasive cloth. If the mailbox still needs help, colour match spray paint and paint outdoors on a calm day.
Feedback from caring Manitoban:
Dear Reena,
You have some wonderful solutions to household problems. In reply to the lady who had a blue ring around her toilet, I had the same problem when I moved into my home in Russell, Man. My toilets were brand new, and they developed a blue ring, which I could not remove. I simply lived with it for a number of years; but it always bothered me. Finally, one of my friends suggested this solution which works for me; and I have to repeat this procedure every six weeks or so.
I take two long narrow rags, which, when put end to end, will reach around the blue ring on the toilet. First I make the rags wet, then wring them out. Then get rid of the water in the toilet bowl. Now put the rags in place around the blue ring. Then saturate them with Javex. Leave them there for as long as it takes to make the blue ring disappear. For me it's between 20 minutes and a half-hour. Hope this helps Maureen, and anyone else who has this problem.
Fabulous baking soda tips:
Baking soda is a leavening agent used in baked goods like cookies or quick breads but that's not all...
-- This tip was sent to me by a grandmother who found her grandson dumping baking soda all over her bathroom. Forget the expensive cleaners that leave you coughing and gasping for air. Sprinkle baking soda on bathroom sink, counter and in bathtub. Scrub, rinse and smile.
-- Wash your hair with baking soda a few times a month. This leaves hair thoroughly clean and gets rid of product buildup caused by styling products.
-- Flush one cup of baking soda down the toilet once a week to keep the septic tank clear.
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., ROA 0C0.
Renovation & Design
SOLUTIONS: High-end dishwasher serves up problems
QUESTION: Our son recently purchased a new high-end Bosch dishwasher. Since then their glasses have become cloudy after washing. They have tried a variety of detergents -- what else might they do? Edna, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Soak etched glasses in undiluted white vinegar for 15 minutes. Or, wash dishes with warm water and concentrated dishwasher detergent. I noticed a big difference when I switched to Cascade powder detergent, liquid made my dishes foggy. Or run a dishwasher cycle of etched dishes with citric acid in the soap dispenser. If the film comes off, it is likely caused by hard water minerals, improper amounts of detergent, or unsuitable water temperature. If it's permanent etching, you can't make dishes clear again.
QUESTION: I enjoy your column in the Free Press and am wondering if you have any suggestions with respect to an obnoxious odour inside a stainless steel-lined Bosch dishwasher -- the unit is about five years old and is used approximately three times per week. I keep it very clean and always rinse and pre-wash the dishes before putting them into the dishwasher because I do not wash them every day. I have noticed this off odour after opening the washer if it has not been used for a day or so. Can you help? Leslie, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Dishwashers (much like washing machines) are made with airtight seals and therefore if the machine is left for a day or so, mildew begins to grow inside of the machine just like a wet cloth that sits too long.
Leave your dishwasher open a crack when not in use. Pour one cup of vinegar inside the dishwasher between cycles. For the ultimate clean once or twice a year, ventilate and use the product 'Iron Out' -- any rust or stains will disappear.
Clean out the filter; make sure the hose is not plugged or incorrectly installed or laying flat thus sending sewer gas odour into the kitchen. Clean out the seal around the dishwasher. Lastly, don't leave any dishes that have egg on them inside the dishwasher or the entire machine will smell.
QUESTION: I have a problem with cleaning something and was wondering if you could help me. My new canvas pillows on my outdoor chairs had bird droppings on them. I hosed them down with water and applied some shampoo to the white spots, washed them using a soft brush and let them dry in the sun. There are still white marks on them, very light but visible.
I took them inside, applied some hand soap to them, scrubbed them with an old wire dish washing scrub pad, rinsed them in the shower in warm water and set them out in the sun to dry again. The white marks are very light but still visible. Can you suggest something else that would work? I cannot remove the covers from the chair back pillows or the chair pillows that are sat upon. Thank you for any help you can provide me. Sincerely, Jo-Ann, Melita
ANSWER: Sounds like you have been busy! Be careful when using regular hand soap to remove stains; doing this can actually set stains. Rinse and blot all areas with water. Next blot mess with three per cent hydrogen peroxide (test on small area first). Leave for one hour. Blot and rinse with water. If stain is noticeable spray with WD-40, blot and rinse with dish soap and water.
Feedback from caring Manitoban:
This is to 'Brady in Tyndall, Manitoba' who was concerned about the well water turning the clothes brown from the rust in the water.
Although many iron removers available on the market may do the job, some don't do as well as they advertise. It depends on the 'grains' of hardness in the water, not only from the iron, but other minerals. I would highly recommend the Kinetico system. Twin tanks do not require any electricity to operate; regeneration is automatic only when required but does so using already soft water; easy to maintain, etc. Only thing: it's not cheap, but does a great job of removing iron. André, St. Andrew, Man.
Fabulous tips for choosing sun block:
-- SPF: Sun Protection Factor, in theory means, the higher the number, the greater protection.
-- The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing an SPF of 15 or higher for maximum protection. SPF is available in levels from 2 to 60. An SPF of 50 only provides one per cent to two per cent more protection than an SPF 30.
-- For water activities, choose a sunscreen that is waterproof with the claim of providing protection in the water for 80 minutes, (water resistant" provides only 40 minutes of protection).
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., ROA 0C0.