Occasionally, I get phone calls about how to remove mold from books or nail polish from a leather couch.  Below are some fast and easy fixes using items you may already have around the house.

Problem:  Scuffed linoleum

Solution:  Rub the spot with white toothpaste a dry cloth or with an eraser.  Or spray WD-40 on a towel and rub lightly, making sure to degrease the area afterward with liquid dishwashing soap and water.

Problem:  Stuck sliding windows

Solution:  A little silicone spray lubricant will grease the skids.  Spray it onto a rag, then wipe along the tracks, whether they’re metal, wood or plastic.

Problem:  Flattened down cushions

Solution:  Put them outside in the sun for a few hours, slipping them halfway through.  (Be careful – leaving them out too long may fade the fabric.)  The sun will help evaporate the moisture that gets into the filling over time and the cushions should plump up nicely. 

Problem:  Peeling wallpaper

Solution:  With a knife, smear wallpaper paste onto a piece of writing paper.  Rub the paper against the underside of the peeling section.  Press the wallpaper against the wall.  Slide the writing paper out and smooth away bubbles with a clean cloth.

Problem:  Worn caning

Solution:  A little sagging over time is natural but reversible.  To tighten caning back up, use a sponge to we the underside with warm water.   Let dry slowly overnight.  Repeat if necessary.

Problem:  Hard to remove decals

Solution:  spray the decals and the surrounding areas with WD-40, lifting the edges to get underneath, if possible.  Let sit, then gently scrape away the decal with the edge of a credit card.  Degrease the tub with liquid dishwashing soap.

Problem:  Hard to remove bulb

Solution:  Press the center of a foot-long strip of duct tape onto the middle of the bulb.  Fold each loose end in half so it sticks onto itself.  Gripping each end between your thumb and index finger, give a counterclockwise twist to loosen the bulb.

Problem:  Stained tub

Solution:  Combine equal amounts of cream of tartar and baking soda with enough lemon juice to make a paste.  Rub the mixture into the stain with your fingers or a soft cloth.  Let sit for a half hour, then rinse well with water.

Problem:  Pet nail scratches in wood floor

Solution:  Rub shelled walnuts into the scratches and the natural oils will help hide the claw marks.

Problem: A sticky drawer

Solution:  To free a hard-to-open drawer, rub the bottom outer edges with a wax candle and it will easily slide open.

Problem:  A CD that skips

Solution:  With one hand opened wide, hold the CD by the edge and wipe gently with water and mild soap to remove dust and fingerprints. Using a lint-free cloth (an eyeglass cloth will do), dry the surface in clean strokes from the center to the outer edge. Do not use a circular motion. Now hold the shiny side of the CD under a bright light and look for whitish scratches (remember that CDs, unlike records, play from the center out). Dampen the cloth, dab with plain white toothpaste (no gels, no baking soda), and apply it to the scratch, once again working from the center to the outer edge. Rinse with water, dry carefully, and test the results. Repeat once or twice if the CD still skips.

Information provided by Real Simple magazine at www.realsimple.com.

For more information on those tricky problems, call the Bon Homme County Extension office at 589.3531.