Quality microfibre mop key to classy laminate
Vacuuming on a regular basis is also helpful in keeping your floors looking great
Q What is the best cleaner for laminate flooring? A salesperson at our local hardware store, where we bought the flooring, recommended a hardwood floor cleaner that left a huge streaky mess when I used it to mop the floor. I tried several other products, including clear water, vinegar-and-water solution, etc. I can’t kneel as it is tough to get down on my hands and knees to wipe one square foot at a time with the warm water and/or vinegar-and-water solution and then having to dry it immediately to eliminate the water marks and streaks.
A Purchase a good quality microfibre mop that includes both a wet and dry Velcro pad. The dry attachment is used to pick up daily dust. If you use a mop such as this, you can wash the floor with the wet mop, vinegar and water. After you have washed the floor once, go over the entire surface again with the wet mop, but do not add any water or vinegar to the mop. This extra step polishes and slightly dries the floor, thereby removing water marks. Vacuuming on a regular basis is also helpful in keeping your floors looking great.
Q I am wondering if you know how to prevent further cracking on my beautiful, wooden dining room table? I polish it every week and then every two weeks I leave oil all over it, hoping it will absorb it and stop the cracking. We can’t put a humidifier in our home, but do you have any other suggestions on how to save this table from destructive dryness?
A A wide array of products ranging from oils, waxes and sprays are available for furniture care. However, contrary to popular belief, wood does not need to be “fed.” The best way to care for furniture is simply to maintain a stable environment.
No amount of oil or other materials will keep wood from drying out if the humidity level is too low. A good-quality paste wax designed for furniture can be used to add a protective layer to the wood finish and give it a soft shine. Paste wax protects the finish without penetrating the wood and keeps dust from binding with the surface the way car wax makes water bead. Pick a wax that matches the colour of the wood (for instance, a lighter wax for maple and a darker one for walnut).
If the wood finish is cracked or rubbed away, skip the paste. Do this only once a year and apply the wax sparingly. Don’t use spray polishes or lemon oils as they can leave the surface tacky, which attracts dust. You don’t need fancy chemicals to clean and protect wood furniture, even if they are your prized possessions.
In fact, those products can do more harm than good. According to one expert at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C., “Some sprays have additives that will never come off. They cross-link chemically over time and become insoluble. A lot never completely dry and they attract dirt, darkening the finish, which can decrease the value.”
SMART TIPS FROM SMART PEOPLE
Your dog just returned from a brisk run around the yard, he smells bad and company is on the way over. Sprinkle your lovable family member (the dog, not your spouse), with baking soda. Rub it into his fur to reduce odours. — Simone
Give your cakes that professional bakery finish after icing a cake or cupcake, with buttercream icing. Heat the icing with a hair dryer on low setting, the dessert will display a glossy finish. — Ben
When brown sugar ends up as hard as a rock, soften it with this easy solution. Wrap the brown sugar in aluminum foil and place it in a dish and into the oven for five minutes at about 325 F (about 165 C). Soft and good as new! — Ben
Next time you run out of eye makeup remover, try one of the following: the oil from an avocado, hair conditioner or baby oil. — Lauren
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.
Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena. ca. Ask a question or share a tip at reena.ca.