Use Borax to salvage a moth-infested rug
Q: We have a 7x10-foot wool rug in our living room that is about five years old. Last summer we had the rug dry cleaned, but in the fall we noticed a few tiny moths on it. We vacuumed the rug thoroughly, and a patch, approximately two to three inches in circumference, developed in the rug. We put the rug in the garage during winter to kill any moths and thought we had them licked, however, a few tiny moths reappeared along with larva. Is there anything we can do to salvage it?
A: Begin by sprinkling the rug with Borax or boric acid or crushed bay leaves. Do this only if you don’t have pets or small children as Borax is poisonous. Leave for a day and vacuum (often) with an industrial-strength vacuum, being sure to change the vacuum bag. If moths persist, call in a professional fumigator.
Q: A loaf of bread was left in our bread cupboard and became very mouldy. I have not been able to get rid of the smell and cannot use the cupboard now because of this. A: Begin by washing the cupboard out with Murphy’s Oil Soap. Next, make your very own “coffee-in-a-sock” air freshener. Take a clean sock and place it inside a cup or glass. Fold the sock opening to the outside of the cup to create a vessel. Pour fresh coffee grounds into the sock. Close the sock with a rubber band. Store the sock inside the cupboard. Coffee is a wonderful odour absorber. Q: Can you please provide a solution for eradicating fruit flies in my home? Thank you in advance. A: Typically, fruit flies are worse in the fall. Take your indoor plants outside because fruit flies breed in plants, drains and, of course, fruit. Plug drains and refrigerate fruit. The easiest fly catcher is a vinegar dispenser with a funnel lid half full with red wine, positioned beside the sink. Fruit flies are attracted to the smell and become trapped. You can also catch fruit flies using sticky window fly traps by positioning them wherever the flies are collecting.