INSIDE & OUT : Mildew Odors Bleach Didn’t Kill Can Be Sealed In With Shellac
Q. I have a good-quality chest of drawers that’s about 30 years old. I found mildew in the drawers, which I cleaned with bleach. This killed the mildew, but not the odor. Is there anything else I can do?
D.P., San Clemente
A. You may want to try sealing the inside of the drawers with a clear shellac, says Chris Vidovich of Imperial Paint in Anaheim. Other types of sealers like urethene and lacquers won’t be able to lock in odors like shellac. It dries very quickly, and it’s used to seal in smoke-damaged wood. It’s available in spray cans, and you just have to make sure that the wood is clean and dry before spraying.
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Q. Our carpeting is a very dense weave with thick foam padding underneath. I was wondering about the different types of methods carpet cleaners use. Is one better than the other for my carpeting?
N.O., Irvine
A. The type of cleaning that’s done is usually dependent on the fabric used in the carpet, says Mark Silverberg of New York Carpets in Anaheim. If the carpet is wool, it wouldn’t be a good idea to use a steam cleaning system, and a good carpet cleaner will be able to identify how to treat it. For synthetic carpets, a good steam cleaning is the best way to extract dirt, however, you’ll have to make sure that the cleaner rinses out the detergents. Ask friends and neighbors about who they’ve used for their carpets and try to get a recommendation. A reputable carpet cleaner can help extend the life of your carpet.
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Q. Two years ago, we bought a small fountain for our back yard. A white film has appeared on portions of it where the water pours that we can’t get rid of. We have plants and a tree near the fountain, so we can’t use anything harsh. Any ideas?
M.B., Cypress
A. You may be seeing calcium deposits in the stone, says plumber David Sills of Santa Ana. There are products you can find at most hardware stores designed to remove calcium deposits, or you can try a simple bathtub cleaner. You may need to cover nearby plants with plastic, then brush the product on and rinse it off. You may want to fill the fountain with mineral-free water to prevent deposits.
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Q. I have white terrazzo in my foyer, and parts of it have developed a yellow cast. Is there a way to clean and polish this out?
L.O., Newport Beach
A. Terrazzo is made of pieces of marble suspended in a resin, says Gloria Richey of Tile Importers in Anaheim. If wax has been used to polish it, you may find that the stains are caused by wax buildup. You may want to use a marble cleaner, checking first to see if it’s also recommended for use on terrazzo. Stone dealers also carry a poultice that’s used for removing tough stains by bringing them up to the surface, and one of these might also be used on your floor.
Q. My water heater is about 10 years old, and although it works fine, I hear gurgling and bubbling noises from time to time. Does this mean a problem is developing?
L.M., Garden Grove
A. Heating water isn’t always a silent operation, says Ron Albright of Albright Plumbing & Heating in Los Alamitos. It’s not uncommon for a water heater to make noise due to the expansion and contraction of the elements inside. The average water heater lasts 10 years, so while the noise may not mean it’s ready to go, you should probably keep an eye on it and periodically check for any leaks. You also might want to attach a hose to the spigot at the bottom and empty about three gallons out of it to get rid of some of the sediment.
