Dear Donny

Q AAfter cleaning my white window frames with a UPVC cleaner, I am left with black smudge marks from the seals. The cleaner won’t remove them. What can I use?

Martin Savage, via email

Try a white rubber eraser which should do the trick. I’ve also used Bar Keeper’s Friend, baking soda toothpaste or baking soda. Sticky label remover also works. However, always do a test patch on the inside edge of the window frame where the hinge is.

QMy windows are above radiators and still get some condensation. The bedroom bay window is the worst and gets really wet. Any ideas to reduce this problem?

Mrs Jones, via email

A

Basically what you need is good ventilation in the room so the cold air goes in the bottom of the radiator and comes out warm at the top. Air moisture levels are raised when people sleep in a room at night, so maybe also open a window slightly.

QA former outside toilet is now part of the house after remodelling our porch but mould on the back wall is a constant problem. Please help!

Tracey Hutchings, via email

DONNY’S TOP TIP

Stainless steel plastering trowels come pre sharpened (broken in) because stainless steel is so tough you can’t do it yourself. Carbon steel trowels, however, can be sharpened and are preferable to those made of stainless steel.

The chances are, your loo has a single-skin brick outer wall without a cavity. This means you will struggle to heat it and cold walls attract condensation and eventually mould. I would get someone to build a timber frame inside that wall and apply 70mm insulated plasterboard to it. Never stick plasterboard directly onto a single-skin wall. Or, you could apply coats of insulated render to the outside which would help make it less cold.

A