The Rural Voice, 1999-04, Page 45Home Decorating
No miracles —just products to make life easier
By Patti Robertson
Although, I have yet to be
introduced to a "miracle product" as
seen on late night Infomercials, over
the years I have discovered some little
known products that have given me
some tremendous results with day-to-
day tasks. The following is a rundown
on some of my personal favourites, in
hopes that by sharing these with you,
your jobs will be simplified.
First there is a product known as
Polyshades, manufactured by
Minwax. (Other companies have their
brand of this product.) Polyshades is a
combination stain and polyurethane
mix in one container. This product
was created for covering, concealing
and freshening up previously finished
wood surfaces and furnishings. It is
great for nicks and scratches on wood
trim, and furniture. In one Century
home, which had once served as a
storage area for grain ... rats (yes
rats!) had chewed the wonderful old
trim along the door jambs up to 12"
from the floor. Using Polyshades we
were able to conceal, blend and
generally cover the damaged areas,
thereby integrating it with the
undamaged areas, rather than the
alternative of replacing all the trim.
Another client successfully refinished
all their kitchen cupboard fronts for a
fresh new look and update.
"Liquid Sandpaper", is another
favourite, which a friend.discovered
years ago and introduced me to.
Liquid Sandpaper does not replace
sanding of damaged, cracked or
chipped areas or products to be
painted, but on previdusly painted
surfaces'that are in good shape, it
works wonders, Using a soft clean
cloth, dampened with Liquid
Sandpaper you simply wipe the area
you are about to paint. This product
not only cleans the surface but softens
the surface of the previous coat of
paint so as to work as an undercoating
and a bonding agent for the new layer
of paint. This product is a "must try"
for those dealing with older homes
and for apartment dwellers and
owners where everyone has had a turn
at decorating the space to suit
themselves. Liquid Sandpaper also is
a prohibitory against chipping of your
new paint selection.
BIN is another bright assistant on
the decorating scene. BIN is a primer,
sealer, concealer, and undercoater for
difficult or questionable surfaces. It
conceals and will prevent knots in
woodwork from
bleeding through
and ruining your
paint job. My
painter Pam
Fisher and I have
successfully used
BIN to prime
ceramic and
plastic tiles,
arborite surfaces,
concrete and
brick in
preparation for
desired paint
finishes and
techniques.
Always test first on a concealed
area for best results, but this product
has been a great asset. With BIN we
have transformed ugly orange brick
fireplaces into designer focal points
and bathrooms with tired tiles into
showstoppers.
Let me speak the praises for
common Windex. I use Windex for
dusting surfaces, besides cleaning
mirrors and windows. Interesting to
note, one should always spray the
dust rag with the cleaner and then
proceed. Never apply the product
directly onto the surface to be
cleaned. (Applying directly to a
mirror can cause the deterioration to
the silvering.)
A little Windex on a soft cloth will
pick up dust off surfaces or another
Help for
home
decorating
trick is to fasten a clean rag around
the head of your broom or mop and
lightly spray with Windex. You'll be
amazed at "what else" is picked up
off your floors or off your wall
surfaces. (This trick is great for
catching stray pet hairs!)
Vinegar — a little in your mop
water will work wonders on dour
vinyl floors, without causim_ a
buildup. A little added to s arm water
is a sure way to freshen up your
precious ornaments w ithout damaging
their delicate colours and content.
Finally. I would not be without a
can of (white) bathroom foam cleaner.
This I have used to clean stains and
pet mishaps on carpets and
upholstery. Just a couple of days ago I
spilt my travel mug of coffee dow n
my carpeted entrance steps. w hich
sent me scrambling for m can of
cleaner. I first mopped up the excess.
then rinsed with water. then sprayed
the stains liberally with Loam and
covered with clean white cloths for
about 10 minutes. then blotted up the
excess. Two applications and no more
stain. User beware.' always test a
concealed area first. not e\ erything is
colourfast and you may cause
additional damage.
Hopefully. some of the above
products will be the miracle worker
you were looking for. And please. it
you hale favourites that are tried and
true. drop me a line and I'll gladly
add these to the list. In today's
frenzied household. assistance. in an
form is always appreciated.0
Patti Robertson operates Classic
interiors in 11'ilgltam.
SAVE $$$ NOW ON CARPETS
AND FLOORING AT THE
gceilie rake rejttte
Carpet Warehouse
(on the Owen Sound Bypass - 2 miles south of Springmount)
376-0975
Open Wed., Thurs. & Fri. - 10:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m., Sat. - 10:30 a.m - 2:00 p.m.
Evening appointments available for your convenience
APRIL 1999 41