TACKLING SOME INSIDE JOBS
Carolyn Forte is Good Housekeeping’s director of home appliances and cleaning products. She offers her home cleaning advice for readers’ most difficult chores, including removing greasy goo from stove vents.
Q I’ve tried almost everything to get the old grease and gunk off our chair arms and nothing has worked. Any suggestions?
A I know what you mean! That kind of stain builds up slowly and then suddenly looks terrible. Try a product designed to clean greasy wood kitchen cabinets. The one I like is Parker & Bailey Kitchen Cabinet Cream. I used it in my kitchen and it quickly dissolved the grease on the wood covering the vent hood and left the wood smooth and shiny. I think it’s worth a try on your chair, too. (Look for it on the Parker & Bailey website or at Amazon.ca.)
Q How do you clean off that hardened, greasy goo that collects on stove vents and surfaces?
A That is a tough stain! A new category of cleaner we’ve recently seen are kitchen degreasers.
They are more powerful than allpurpose cleaners and are specifically formulated to handle tough kitchen grease. We’ve had good luck with Krud Kutter Kitchen Degreaser. (Look for it at amazon. ca or through select Canadian stores via rustoleum.ca.)
Q I have a stubborn rust stain in a white sink. I’ve tried the lemon/salt remedy, and it certainly made it better, but it’s still noticeable. Any other ideas?
A This one is an easy fix. As you found with the lemon, acid helps remove rust. The quickest way to remove that stain is with a product formulated to remove rust, like Whink Rust Remover. Whink makes formulas for hard surfaces like yours and even for rust stains on fabrics. It contains oxalic acid, so follow directions carefully and wear rubber gloves.
Q I have a front-loading washing machine, and the rubber gasket between the door and the drum is mouldy or has mildew. I wipe it down, but it persists. What would help fix it?
A This is a big problem, one our readers and visitors to our Good Housekeeping Institute ask me all the time! You are doing the right thing by wiping it out. Next time, try cleaning it with a cloth dipped in a mild bleach solution to kill the mould. Keeping it clean and dry is important.
It’s also a good idea to leave the washer door open after doing the laundry so it dries out. New from Whirlpool are Affresh Washing Machine Wipes, which make cleaning this hard-to-reach area much easier.
Q I have an older recliner with rust-coloured, leather-looking vinyl that is slightly tacky and dull. I’ve tried using dish detergent and water to clean it but it looks even more dull and greyish after it dries. Is there some way to clean and restore slight shine and condition to these areas?
A It sounds as if you were able to clean the vinyl, but the dish soap may have dried it out. A leather conditioner may be all you need. Weiman, a brand that carries our Good Housekeeping Seal, makes a line of leather cleaners and conditioners that we have found work well. They are widely distributed and should be easy to find. (Look for it at walmart.ca.)
For a DIY leather cleaner, we recommend a mix of warm water and a mild soap like Neutrogena — just be sure not to get the leather too wet. Dip a cloth into the mixture and wring it well before wiping the leather. Then blot it dry with another clean cloth.
Q I have a small, four-by-20foot (1.2-by-6.1-metre) pressure-treated lumber covered porch. It is 100 square feet (9.3 square metres), including steps. It needs to be cleaned and resealed, and is surrounded by holly and lilac bushes. I could cover them with a tarp, but there is bare ground under the porch. I am concerned about cleaning products that would harm the plants by dripping into the soil and travelling to the roots. What would be the best way to clean it in preparation for resealing, yet protect the plants? I don’t have a pressure washer.
A Scotts Miracle- Gro has a line of outdoor cleaners for decks and patios that not only clean and remove stains but are safe for your surrounding plants and grass, too. There are sprays and even wipes for patio furniture. Give them a try.
Q I’m worried about using the automatic oven-clean setting. I bought my oven new last year. Can you reassure me it is safe to use? And if so, how often should I use it?
A Your self-cleaning oven, especially a new one, is safe to use. Because every oven is different, I recommend reading the manual carefully. If your oven offers multiple settings for the cycle, choose the shortest cycle the first time you use it. Never leave the house while the cycle is running and check to see if your oven manufacturer recommends removing the racks during the cycle. It’s best to use the self-clean feature whenever the grease builds up to the point when it’s visible and before it starts to smell. If you don’t wait too long, the shortest cycle may be all you need! Depending on how often you use your oven, every few months or several times per year should be enough. It’s always a good idea to wipe out fresh spills promptly to help your oven stay cleaner longer. Q I broke my 20-year-old Dacor oven by using the selfcleaning
feature. It will be repaired and, I hope, survive to cook many more meals, but I vow never to use the selfcleaning setting again. What is a safe product and technique you recommend to clean “selfcleaning ” ovens?
A It sounds like something may have just been faulty with your particular model. Using the self-cleaning feature shouldn’t cause it to break. Unfortunately, most oven manufacturers don’t recommend using traditional oven cleaners because they are concerned that the chemicals could affect the oven’s surface. That’s not to say the oven cleaner will harm your oven, but we recommend following the appliance manufacturer’s directions.
What you can do is wipe out any grease and splatter promptly with a cloth dipped in hot water and wrung well. Add a little baking soda if you need some extra muscle. For the glass, try an eraser sponge, like Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It has our Good Housekeeping Seal.
Q Is there a plant-safe product that could be used to kill moss on an asphalt shingle house roof ?
A Scotts Miracle- Gro has outdoor cleaners that are safe to use around plants and grass. Some even have OxiClean to help kill mould. They should work for you.
Q I have a 10-year-old Rowenta iron that occasionally pours water out of the sole plate, especially right after it has been turned on. We have used the clean setting to no noticeable change. We have used mostly distilled water. Any suggestions?
A Most iron brands today recommend using tap water instead of distilled water. This could be what has caused it to leak. The minerals in the water actually keep the internal parts working better. Of course, if your water is very hard, a mixture of distilled and tap water is recommended. Unfortunately, it may just be time to replace your iron.
Q The inside of my big Calphalon skillet is clean as the proverbial whistle, but the bottom has a layer of what seems to be burned-on grease. Is it safe to use Barkeeper’s Friend on it?
A It certainly is! Barkeeper’s Friend is one of our favourites and safe for all kinds of surfaces. If the buildup is bad, it may take several applications. Good luck.