Dear Donny

Q A Q AWe have a grease mark on our kitchen wallpaper. What’s best to remove it? Barbara Williams, by email

ASugar soap or washing-up liquid used neat will work if the wallpaper is vinyl. If not, then it’s likely the grease will have soaked in.

But most non-washable papers can easily be painted over.

How do I remove leaf stains on a new cream slab path? Washing-up liquid hasn’t worked. Marion Tolley, by email

Use a strong hot water and bleach mix, scrubbing with a stiff bristle brush and leave it to dry – don’t rinse off. Then repeat but with not as strong a mix. I did this on Mum’s old stained path and it worked well.

Q

Rain seems to have seeped into joints in my wooden front door leaving a stain despite years of yacht varnish. How can I fix this? Jacqueline Wilson, by email Sounds like the water has got into joints through expansion and contraction caused by changing temperatures because oil-based varnishes don’t flex much. You could sand the door back and if you want a wood look, then go for breathable Osmo wood finishes or use Blackfriar wood stains and varnish.