Renovation & Design

Renovation & Design

SOLUTIONS: Keep those photo albums picture-perfect

QUESTION: What is the best way to store photo albums so that they do not warp over time? Brendan, Cartwright, Man.

ANSWER: You want to get the most out of your photo albums and all of the hard work that you put into making them a lasting memory. Store your albums where you spend most of your time, not in attics or in the basement (where water damage is always a threat). Position albums up and down, vertically; your photos can get warped if stored on their sides.

QUESTION: I received a wool blanket for my birthday several years ago. Can you tell me how to wash it without it shrinking? Celica, Winnipeg

ANSWER: Tumble dry the blanket by itself for three minutes to remove dust (no heat). Fill washing machine with lukewarm water and a half-cup detergent. Run washer for three minutes. Turn machine off. Add blanket and let soak for 10 minutes. Use your hands or a broomstick handle to turn blanket. Set machine to spin. Never use the agitator on wool blankets. Remove blanket and fill machine with warm water and one cup vinegar. Let blanket soak for three minutes. Spin to drain. Tumble dry on the air-only setting for 20 minutes. Note: To soften blankets, add a capful of hair conditioner or to vinegar rinse. (Taken from Household Solutions with Substitutions)

QUESTION: When cleaning my oven with commercial oven cleaner I got some oven spray on my vinyl flooring. I didn't notice it until the next day. It has not eaten through and made a hole but seems to be on the surface as little dark brown spots. Is there any way that these might be removed? As we live in a rental unit any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Linda, Winnipeg

ANSWER: Oven cleaner contains a huge amount of lye which can cause permanent burns on surfaces. Begin by making a paste of baking soda and water. Leave the paste on the surface for one hour before scrubbing with an SOS pad. Second options include: Orange TKO or Brasso, both have had positive results. If the stain remains you may need to replace that section of the floor.

QUESTION: I am told you are the one to turn to for a stain problem. I have an off-white leather couch and it has a light blue stain on it. The stain almost looks the colour of blue jeans but I have no idea where it came from. I have used two different leather cleaners on it and it has faded the stain to some degree but has not taken it away completely. Do you have any magic that I can try? Thank you, Bob, Winnipeg

ANSWER: Magic indeed! Begin by erasing the stain with the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser this has been a big help to several people with the same conundrum. You can also wipe the area with Dawn dish soap and rinse with a small amount of water. Worst case scenario, wipe stain with rubbing alcohol. Always test on an inconspicuous area first. There are products on the market formulated to remove dye transfer on leather; one such product is called Maxi Cleaner.

Fabulous Tips of the Week

-- Keep your rolling paper wrapped in waxed paper and in the fridge. It will be chilled, and ready to roll out pastry.

-- To brighten white sheets, hang them overnight on a clothesline in the winter.

-- To take the crease out of dresses, skirts and pants after letting down the hem, spray the fabric with vinegar before ironing.

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.

Reena Nerbas
March 12

Renovation & Design

SOLUTIONS: Do-it-yourself scent-free cleaners

QUESTION: I have asthma and I would like to change all of my household and laundry cleaners to those with no scent. I read with interest your advice on using vinegar as a bathroom cleaner. I will try it and hope it works because we have very hard water that leaves rust/iron stains in the toilet and around calking etc.

I need laundry detergent and bleach for the unbleachabes without scent. I found fabric softeners but no detergent or bleach. I have smelt different cleaners that are marked "green" but they are still scented. I will be very grateful if you can help me.

-- Donna, Killarney, MB

ANSWER: Don't be fooled by products that site the word "green." Remember there are currently no legislations as to what can be called "green." One option is to use the following recipe (the contents will seem gooey but the recipe works well).

Grate one bar of Ivory bar soap. Melt in a pot with enough water to cover. Cook and stir until soap is melted. In a large pail, pour in 2 gallons of water and melted soap. Add 2 cups baking soda. Use half cup per load. For fabric softener, look no further than the white vinegar in your cupboard. You won't be disappointed!

As for your bathroom, scrub with borax and water. Inside the toilet, use your favourite dish soap and water and scrub; add baking soda for extra abrasion.

QUESTION: I recently bought a brand-new stainless steel stove from someone who had kept it outside in a shed. The plastic that covers the stainless was still intact. I'm having difficulty removing all the plastic, some of it peeled off with ease, although I'm still stuck with patches of it which I'm not sure how to remove. I don't want to scratch the stainless steel. Do you have a suggestion which is non-toxic? Thank you in advance.

-- Val, Winnipeg

ANSWER: In order to peel the plastic with ease, heat the plastic with a hair dryer and gently peel it off. You would not want to use any harsh products on stainless steel, as they can permanently stain or scratch steel. If necessary, use a plastic putty knife to help you pull the plastic.

QUESTION: I have two small surface cigarette burns on my marble vanity. I contacted the manufacturer and they said Varsol or any paint thinner should work, but to no avail. Can you please tell me if you have any experience in removing these burns and what can be safely used to do it?

-- Patti, Tyndal, MB

ANSWER: Yes, this is a tough challenge because the problem sits further in than just on the surface. A minor cigarette burn can be wet-sanded with 600-grit sandpaper and polished with the polishing compound and an industrial type buffer (minimum 2000 RPM). A professional repair company should repair a deep burn. If the burn is small enough, you may want to conceal it with car touch-up paint or nail polish -- but you would need to find a perfect match.

Fabulous tips of the week

-- From Jaclyn (Morden, MB): Success! With the dry air this winter, my eyelids have become dry and flaky. Over to my medicine cabinet I went and pulled out every lotion I could find that was safe to use around eyes. Nothing helped. After sipping on my tea one morning, I decided to put the damp green tea bag on each eyelid for a few seconds. Wouldn't you know it; my eyelids are no longer dry!

-- From Household Solutions 3 with Green Alternatives: Frozen concentrate juice cans make excellent cookie dough moulds for refrigerator cookies. Pack the dough in the washed-out can. When ready to use, push the dough out from the bottom or slice the can open lengthwise.

-- From Household Solutions 3 with Green Alternatives: Yummy Barbeque Sauce: Combine 2 cups (500 mL) ketchup, one and a half cups (325 mL) brown sugar, one third cup (75 mL) vinegar, 3 tbsp. (45mL) Worcestershire sauce, half tsp. (2 mL) pepper and half tsp. (2 mL) salt. Brush onto meat during last 5 mins. of grilling.

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.

Reena Nerbas
March 5