TIPS & TRICKS
Got any tips or tricks to share ….or maybe you need the answer to a simple problem
Maybe we have the answer !
Write in or email us with your problem and  we can print the answer or your own tip  in the next issue

Dear Auntie,
Every time I walk on the upstairs landing one of my floorboards continually squeaks. It's driving me mad and I've tried everything I can think of to stop the noise. I don't want to take the floorboards up, so do you have a solution for me?
Auntie CITA says:           
You should easily be able to solve this problem by liberally sprinkling the joint between the two squeaky boards with talcum powder. Rub it in well and hopefully you won't have to tread so carefully in the future.


Dear Auntie,
Is there any way to cut wood perfectly without it splintering at all. I have a small carpentry project that is being spoilt because of this problem. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Auntie CITA says:
If you rub candle wax down the sharp surface of a saw, you will find it will glide smoothly through the wood and won't splinter.


Dear Auntie,
I am planning to redecorate the living room of my house. It needs completely re-painting throughout and whilst I enjoy the work, I always hate the strong smell of the paint as I'm doing it. I leave the windows open for ventilation, but still find the strong fumes a little overpowering. Do you have any tips for me?
Auntie CITA says:
When you are painting, put half of a chopped onion in a bowl of water in the room. Crazy as it might sound, this will help to draw the fumes and take away the smells. This is a tip my old grandad swore by and I've found it always works well for me.


Dear Auntie,
I have a lovely old table but it has an awful white stain on it that doesn't seem to shift with any of the
cleaning products I've tried. It's such a shame to cover it with a table cloth when the surface of the wood is so lovely except for the one spot. Can you help?
Auntie CITA says:
This is a common problem, and is usually caused by
water and alcohol stains, but can be effectively treated by using an old traditional method. Making up a mixture of cigarette ash and castor oil forms a fine abrasive and you should find this will solve the problem if you apply it gently with circular movements.


Dear Auntie,
I store my tools in the garden shed over winter. Unfortunately I had a leak during the recent bad weather and now some of them have become rusty. I don't want to have to buy all new tools so do you have any suggestion that could help me?
Auntie CITA says:
Well here's another strange use for an onion, and believe me it does work.
If you rub an onion on rusty tools, leave overnight, wipe off and repeat this process several times. You will find that gradually the rust will be broken down and the shine will come up as good as new

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