Quick Tip

Do you sometimes find it difficult to reopen the cap on your nail polish? You can prevent it from sticking if you coat the inside of the cap with a dab of petroleum jelly.

Strawberry Feels Forever

My husband farang sit on strawberry now can not take away red color from white sofa and feel stiff.  How I can do?

Jum in Jomtien

Sorry to say, Jum, that most fruit stains are difficult to remove from fabric if they are not tackled immediately. That includes stains from any products that contain fruit, such as candy, cookies, pastries and, of course, juices. You could try saturating the stain with hydrogen peroxide (test an inconspicuous area first to avoid discoloration). Pour some salt over the area and wait about 15 minutes. Then use a brush to lift out the stain, brushing from the edge of the stain toward the center to prevent the color from spreading. Finish with a good vacuuming, preferably with a steam vacuum, or use clean towels to absorb the peroxide-salt mixture.

Play Mist for Me

Dear Andy, I am presently in Australia and am returning home soon. I am buying a nebuliser here and wish to bring it back home with me. Only problem is the difference in the power supply. Can it be changed to fit Thailand power supply and if so can you do the changing or will it be easier to buy one in Pattaya? Would appreciate if you could reply to this email with details of what to do.  

Albert Ryan

G’day, mate. Good news: there is no electrical current disparity; power supply in Australia is substantially the same as in Thailand (about 240 volts). You may have to change the fittings if the plug on your nebuliser does not conform to the electrical outlets in your home here, but that is no big problem. More important, as I have said so often in this column, is the fact that most homes in Thailand are not equipped with grounding (earthing). That’s something you might consider if you plan to use an expensive piece of equipment here. As to the question of buying a nebuliser in Australia or Thailand, consider on the one hand that if you buy it in Australia and have a problem a few weeks or months down the road, who will honor the warranty or make the repairs? On the other hand, having just looked around Pattaya for a nebuliser on your behalf, I could not find one–even at the largest pharmacy/medical supply store I know of (Fascino). They suggested that you ask at local hospitals, where they probably will be expensive. If Australia offers reasonable prices, it might be worth the risk of bringing one back and hoping that it continues to perform without a problem. Ask your supplier if the warranty applies abroad.

[For the benefit of readers unfamiliar with a nebulizer, the device changes medication from liquid to mist so that it can be inhaled into the lungs; commonly used by asthma patients.]

Toss the Teflon

My good Teflon pan is only about a year old but the protective coating already has worn away. Is there something I can do to restore the finish? I still use it, but of course food now sticks to the pan. It was expensive and I really like it. What should I do?

Hilda

Toss it. Damaged Teflon pans can be health hazards, Hilda. As good as Teflon pans are, once they become scorched or begin to peel, highly toxic chemicals may be released into your foods when cooking. So throw away your damaged pan and consider replacing it with cast iron or stainless steel cookware. While moderately faded, scratched, peeling or chipped Teflon cookware can be professionally re-coated with a non-stick repair spray to allow safe use, the process is expensive and the actual damage cannot be repaired. Beyond which, I do not know that the service is available in Thailand.

Tub Rub

Maybe you can help me, Andy. My bathtub has a chip in the surface. I’ve tried silicone sealants that only last a week before peeling off. Is there a shop that has an in-house bathtub chip repair service like they do in the States or am I out of luck? If there is none, what do you suggest I do to repair the chip?

Steve

It was a good idea to repair your chipped tub quickly, Steve. That could help prevent structural damage and stop the chip from spreading. Inasmuch as you are a DIY kinda guy, try again–but this time use epoxy rather than silicone. I think you’ll find epoxy at most hardware and home improvement stores. True Value carries two brands that might work for you: CRC Epoxy Putty and Mighty Putty. Alternatively, check other outlets for do-it-yourself repair kits. Before buying, read the packages to see what they contain; in addition to the epoxy you will need sandpaper, gel coat enamel and an applicator, as well as rags and a hairdryer. Begin by removing the silicone, then sand any rough edges or surfaces to ensure smoothness. Finish off using fine-grit sandpaper, then thoroughly clean the area of any dust or grit, and use a hairdryer to ensure it’s totally dry. This is crucial since epoxy will not stick to a wet surface. The next step is to apply the epoxy. Follow the label directions on the product, and use the applicator to fill in the damaged area. When it is completely filled in, remove excess epoxy using the applicator tool. Let dry for about 12 hours so the epoxy fully cures. Then sand again using wet/dry sandpaper; wet the fine-grit sandpaper and sand the repair to a smooth finish. Now apply a smooth layer of the gel-coat enamel following the instructions included. Some kits come with various colors that can be mixed to match your bathtub. If the enamel matches the color of your bathtub, the repair should be virtually unnoticeable. If not a match, you can buy enamel paint in the color you need to cover the repair.

Sponge Grunge

Is there something I can with sour sponges, Andy? When my wife feels the sponges are smelly or dirty, she just throws them into the trash, but that’s not a solution, it’s expensive waste.

Ian in Isaan

You’re right, Ian, it is a waste. To refresh what you call ‘sour sponges,’ soak them in lemon juice and rinse them out. This will remove the odor. However, because sponges usually remain wet, they are ideal breeding grounds for bacteria. So keep in mind that it is important to either put them in the microwave (1 minute on high) or run your sponges through your dishwasher at least once a week. That will destroy bacteria and keep it from growing. It’s also a good idea to wring out excess water from sponges after each use.

—Handy Andy