Quick Tip

Scissors not cutting it? Sharpen them the easy way: slice several pieces of sandpaper or emery paper, or cut through some steel-wool scouring pads.

Sticker Stumper

Dear Handy Andy, don’t you just love those little photos you can have taken at some malls for just 99 baht? I used to like them a lot until I moved into a flat where the previous tenants went wild sticking the self-adhering photos to the fridge, mirrors, windows, walls, cabinets—you name it. Now I can’t remove them without leaving ugly traces of glue or images of strangers. Can you help?

Stuck in Sook Sabai

There’s an easy way to remove those photos and/or any obstinate decals sticking to walls and glass, Stuck, but expect to put some time into the effort. First, heat a small amount of vinegar. Then fold a pad of cloth large enough to cover each photo or decal. Soak the fabric in the hot vinegar and apply to the photo for two or three minutes. (To save time on a vertical surface, fasten the soaked pad on with masking tape.) When the photo is thoroughly saturated, it should peel off with no need to scrape. On painted or wood surfaces, test first by applying a small amount of warm vinegar to an inconspicuous area.

Silver Lining

Please help, Andy. I’ve got some old silver pieces, like jewelry and several coins, that need polishing. Most of it is badly tarnished. I’m not sure which if any of the commercial polishes available here is any good. I’d appreciate your views on what brand to buy and any suggestions you might have on polishing silver.

Wanda in Wong Amat

One suggestion, Wanda, would be that you not buy any silver polish. Most contain toxic chemicals like sulphuric acid, petroleum distillates, and other chemicals that can irritate your skin and breathing passageways, are harmful to the environment, and may even damage silver. Instead, try this: wipe off your silver items and place them in a large aluminum pan—with each piece touching the aluminum. Boil a large pot of water and stir in a cup of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and three tablespoons of salt until dissolved. Pour the hot mixture into the pan, completely covering the silver pieces. The tarnish will disappear within seconds. When done, rinse each item under clean water and dry. If using a non-aluminum pan, line it with aluminum foil. In any case, make certain each silver piece is touching as much of the aluminum as possible.

Odor Eater

We bought a house a couple of years ago that has carpeting in most rooms instead of tile flooring. My husband likes it; I hate it. I have to vacuum almost every day and periodically the carpet must be steam cleaned. Okay, I’ve learned to accept that. What I can’t accept are the odors that seem to linger in the carpet. Is there anything we can do about the stink, short of replacing the carpet with tiles?

Tip and Hans

There is one thing that effectively neutralizes odors in carpeting, Tip: baking soda. Making certain that the carpet is thoroughly dry, sprinkle baking soda liberally over the entire carpet. Wait about one hour–or overnight if the odor is particularly bad, then vacuum up all the baking soda. The odor should be gone.

Seal Test

I have a question about my bathroom tile, or grout. You told a reader recently that cleaning tile floors with bleach can weaken the grout seal between tiles. I’ve been using bleach on my floors for years. How do I know if the grout must be resealed?

Karl

To find out if your grout needs to be resealed, Karl, do a water bead test. Deposit a few drops of water on the grout. If the water beads up, then the seal is fine. But if the water is absorbed into the grout, it’s time to reseal. In the future, eliminate bleach when washing your tile floor. White (clear) vinegar and water should clean tile floors nicely. Remember, the harsher the chemical that is used to clean the tile, the more damage it will cause the seal. 

Paint Staking

Before we enter another rainy season, Andy, I would like to repaint the exterior of my house. I had it painted only two years ago, but I think my painters did a less than professional job because the paint is peeling and discolored already. Anyway, can you give me some tips on the proper way to paint so that I can do it myself or tell the painters how to do it right this time?

Angelo

The best tip I can give you, Angelo, is find a professional painter who comes highly recommended. Painting your home’s exterior is a major project requiring proper preparation—the most important part of the project. That said, you or your painter should begin by checking with a local paint store or home improvement center to ensure you have the right products to use on your specific type of surface: wood, stucco, metal, masonry. And if you do not want to paint again in the next 5 to 10 years, select a top quality exterior paint. Begin the actual work by repairing or replacing any damaged surfaces. Then wash all surfaces, preferably with a high-pressure water sprayer; wait at least a day to allow for thorough drying. Remove all remaining peeling, chipping or blistered paint with sandpaper or a scraper, then fill in all nail holes, cracks, seams, etc. If you have any dark stains, cover with a stain-blocking primer. The same goes for mildewed areas; you can find primers and additives made especially for mildew. Now it’s time to sand all rough or glossy surfaces; paint needs a slightly roughened surface to stick to. Before dipping your brush, remove all screens and remove or cover all electrical fixtures, plumbing outlets, etc. Clean all surfaces of dust and remove all debris, then place drop clothes and/or masking tape on anything you do not want painted. If you have any raw surfaces, apply the appropriate primer and allow to dry. That concludes the preparation process. Now you may paint—if whether permits. That is, if it has not rained in the last day or so and there is no rain forecast for the next several days. A cool, overcast day with little or no wind would be ideal, but that is more than can be hoped for in Pattaya. So pick up a brush and paint all woodwork; use a paint roller or spray machine for everything else. Apply at least two coats of exterior paint. Make sure the first coat dries thoroughly before applying the second (follow the manufacturer’s instructions).

–Handy Andy