Modern technology can help reduce photo clutter
Dear Reena: I am retired and plan to downsize soon. I have about 60 large and small photo albums. I wondered if there are any ideas out there for how to conglomerate them, as I will need a special room just for these albums if I don’t. I thought maybe just hold the album in front of a video camera and video all the pages. Maybe someone else has a better idea.
Mary With modern technology, help is on the way. Scan photographs onto your computer or take photos with a cellphone. There are several wonderful companies that can help you create photo albums and they will mail them to your home: blurb.com and shutterfly.com are two examples. Online courses are available to teach you how to make albums that will last for years, and won’t take up much room. It’s easier and more affordable than you might expect. Dear Reena: I have had a smell coming from the furnace vent in the bathroom ever since the heat came on and it smells like cat urine. Do you have any suggestions besides getting the ducts cleaned? We don’t have the money right now.
Angie Is the smell the result of a cat or could it be something else? Wet insulation (caused by high humidity) sometimes smells similar when wet. A dehumidifier might help the smell.
If the smell is caused by a cat, the easiest temporary solution is to spray white vinegar or Pet Odor Out products around the areas that smell to neutralize the odour. But chances are, you won’t be happy with the results of air fresheners and surface coverups. Investing money into having the ducts cleaned properly or contacting a plumber are your best bets. Extra tip: Without spending much money, it is important to change furnace filters on a regular basis. Dear Reena: Without the help of a drycleaner, can you please tell me how to clean my large area rug? It smells and needs some TLC. Rose
Holiday hints
If possible, rent a steam cleaner and clean the carpet just as you would a regular carpet. If the carpet label specifies dryclean only, take it to a drycleaner.
For fibres that specify no water, you can clean the carpet using shaving cream. Spray onto the carpet and gently scrub with a soft brush.
Remove with a soft, damp cloth until the carpet looks clean and smells fresh. Dear Reena: I have a tall, clear single-stem glass vase, and I have been unable to remove etched cloudy water marks on the inside. I have tried everything from baking soda to salt, vinegar and denture tablets, with no success. Any ideas?
Eunice Soaking the vase with hot vinegar, and then gently rubbing the surface with fine 000 sandpaper is a good solution for slightly etched glass.
You can also soak the vase in hot water and citric acid (available at your local pharmacy — you may need to order it). If the etching remains, the condition is permanent.
If you want to refresh seldomused glassware or crystal that has developed a slight film while sitting in the cupboard, but is not dirty, just hold the piece over the mouth of a steaming kettle, and polish quickly and easily with a paper coffee filter. Your glassware will sparkle again! • If you like how you decorated for Christmas this year, take a photo so you can recreate the same scene for next year. • Save empty egg cartons for storing small Christmas ornaments. • Rather than trying to cram your artificial Christmas tree back into its original box, consider purchasing a tree bag. Using a bag puts less stress on you and the tree. 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.