Wash dirt out of feather pillows
SOME of the feather pillows in a holiday home have acquired an unpleasant, “sweaty” smell. How do I go about washing these pillows? – AB, Port Elizabeth. I have white linen pants which have acquired a stain. It is from the Lennons product, Staaldruppels. I am not sure what to use to remove the stain and would appreciate your help. – SK, Port Elizabeth. Does anyone know where the little black worms found in houses in the Lorraine area come from and how do we get rid of them? I've tried pest control companies and they can’t help. – Paula, Port Elizabeth.
Feathers can be washed, but it is quite a schlepp, as one reader put it. This is because you have to open the pillows and put the feathers in muslin bags before washing them in the bath. But you can avoid doing this by emptying the pillow and washing the fabric cover rather than the feathers.
Unstitch the seam at one end, take the feathers out and keep them in a plastic bag. You can then launder the casing. When it is completely dry, replace the feathers. Sew up afterwards with fine stitching.
There is also another way that will ensure that the feathers are also cleaned – leave the job to the experts at Makoti Down Products in Uitenhage! The golden rule of stain removal is fast action. Flush out the mark straight away with cold running water, and allow to soak. If a mark remains, treat with methylated spirits, followed by normal laundering. Most medicine stains can be treated in this way.
The doctor’s wife I spoke to, who has a science background, said that in her experience medicine stains react badly to being treated with chemicals. They respond best to water. If the stain is well set, perhaps a long soak, using a little cold water detergent, would help.
I hesitate to suggest bleach, but as the pants are a strong natural fibre, perhaps you could risk using a bleach finger tip procedure. Pour a small amount of bleach into a saucer, add a little water, and apply to the stain with your fingertip. Don't take your eyes off it! When the stain responds (hopefully!) rinse in clean water. I wonder if you mean millipedes, rather than worms? I can't think of a way of keeping them out of the house, apart from sweeping them up. Among the insecticides, you could look at the Efekto ''No Insect Indoors'' range, which are said to be “greener and safer’. There isn't one for millipedes, but those for cockroaches or ants may be effective.
An all-purpose spray for pests in and around the house, although again no caterpillars are mentioned, is Makhro Home & Garden's product, Bungy 15SC. I've been interested in this company's wide range of products for both outdoor and indoor pest problems, as a result of their advertisements in The Gardener magazine. Their website is www.Makhro.co.za bottle in my cupboard: “Vapour harmful. Avoid contact with eyes. Do not inhale fumes.” In any case, thanks for the tip!
I have used the various methods recommended for cleaning a top-loader washing machine,