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Reena Nerbas: Hints for sliding chairs, vodka stain on buffet

Dear Reena: I have laminate flooring in my living room and leather furniture. Every time we sit down, the seating slides a bit. How can I keep them from sliding? Randy Purchase rubber gripper pads; they stop furniture from sliding.
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Reena Nerbas

Dear Reena: I have laminate flooring in my living room and leather furniture. Every time we sit down, the seating slides a bit. How can I keep them from sliding?

Randy

Purchase rubber gripper pads; they stop furniture from sliding. They are also easy to use — just peel and stick.

Dear Reena: I spilled vodka, water and lime juice on an antique oak buffet/hutch (bottom part). The liquid left a white stain and I have no idea how to remove it. Any suggestions?

Vince

It sounds as though the alcohol in the vodka might have stripped the finish of your beautiful buffet. Before refinishing the piece, try this handy solution. Smear the area with either non-bleach, non-gel toothpaste or mayonnaise. Leave for one hour and wipe. If the stain remains, lay a piece of brown paper or a tea towel on the area, and press with a warm clothing iron.

Be careful not to burn the wood. Remove towel and observe the stain. If it remains, you will need to strip and re-finish the wood.

Dear Reena: I have an old trunk in my basement for storing blankets, etc. It is off the floor and we have never had dampness in the basement. This is the first time that I have noticed a musty smell when it’s opened, not mildewed, but musty.

I have removed everything, and the inside looks fine. What can I do to get rid of the smell, so that I can continue to use this large special trunk, which is now 50 years old?

Also, please give me some suggestions as to how I can clean my washer and dryer, and my dishwasher. All are old but working well, but I would like to freshen the inside of them.

Melva

Without knowing what the trunk is made of, it is difficult to recommend a cleaning action. If the trunk is wood, clean it with Murphy’s Oil Soap and water. If it is plastic, clean it with dish soap and water. If the trunk is fabric on the interior, clean it with shaving cream. If the trunk is lined with paper or cardboard, dampen a cloth with vinegar and a few drops of essential oil, such as lavender or orange. Wipe and dry. Leave the lid of the trunk open until it has aired out and is completely dry. Store a container of cat litter in the trunk to absorb excess moisture.

To freshen your dishwasher, run a package of Tang orange crystals (or vinegar) through the cycle. To freshen your washing machine, add one cup of white vinegar to each load for the next few weeks. To freshen the dryer, wipe it well with dish soap and water.

Another important step in cleaning your dryer is to remove any lint buildup from the lint trap after every use. Although the lint buildup might not be excessive, this excellent habit will keep you from ever allowing the lint to build up to a dangerous point.

In fact, lint is often collected by campers to use as a starter for campfires. Next, clean the lint trap with an old toothbrush, dish soap and water. Whoa, I’m out of breath!

Winter tips of the week

• Keep your car doors from freezing shut by spraying the rubber seals of your doors with cooking spray.

• Make slippery steps easier to walk on by sprinkling non-clumping kitty litter onto iced areas.

• Keep your attic well-ventilated. The colder the attic, the less melting and refreezing on the roof.

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. Ask a question or share a tip at reena.ca