There’s help at hand for curating extensive collection of photo albums
Q 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 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.
A Take some time to 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.
Q 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.
A 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. If the smell is caused by a cat, the easiest temporary solution is to spray white vinegar or pet odour removal 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 cover-ups. Investing money into having the ducts cleaned properly or contacting a plumber are your best bets.
Extra tip: It’s important to change furnace filters on a regular basis.
Q Without the help of a dry cleaner, can you please tell me how to clean my large area rug?
A If possible rent a steam cleaner and clean the carpet just as you would a regular carpet. If the carpet label specifies dry clean only, take it to a dry cleaner. For fibres that specify no water, you can clean the carpet using shaving cream. Spray onto carpet and gently scrub with a soft brush; remove with a soft damp cloth until carpet looks clean and smells fresh.
Q 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.
A Soaking the vase with hot vinegar, and then gently rubbing the surface with fine 000 sandpaper is a good solution. You can also soak the vase in hot water, and citric acid (available at your local pharmacy). If the etching remains, the condition is permanent. If you want to “refresh” seldom-used 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.