_'_il,i, Helpful hints for the housekeeper So, let's hear it for the housekeepers who toil away almost invisible and are often taken for granted. They deserve a patron saint - maybe Sisyphus from Greek mythology who was condemned in Hades forever to roll uphill a huge stone that always rolled down again. Both housekeepers and handyper- sons can frnd in magazines etc., lists of hand hints that fellow toilers share to make their task easier. The latter work under much less pressure and enjoy far more variety in their work and are often rewarded out of all proportion to their respective efforts. People who take responsibility for the well being of a house and its habi- tants are either housekeepers. who do the repetitious but essential chores that ensure order, or handypersons, who work more in the realm of maintenance and creative improvement. This goes with the territory of work- ing in crisis situations, like plugged toilets, or welcome transformations, like new wallpaper. TAKEN FOR GRANTED Hairline cracks around the drain in imitation marble sinks that appear black and seem immoveable can be bleached clean by leaving a 50/50 solution of chlorine bleach and water in the sink for an hour or two. Splatters of food that have hardened on the inside walls of a microwave oven are best removed by the oven itself. Just place a cupful of water inside and turn the oven on high for three minutes. Let stand with door closed for five more minutes and the steam will soften all the splatters for easy removal with a cloth. Keep kitchen scissors sharp without having to ask the handyperson's help bu cutting through a sheet of #220 Grit sandpaper several times. I am an inveterate collector of such lists and I offer a few of my favorites to the unsung band of worthies. $199,900. Neat as a plnl 3 bdrm. freehold featuring private fenced yard and much male! $259,900. A real geml Beautifully maintained, d bdrm., fomlly home. An opportunlty not to be k. V I "-. . f ;: ‘ _ _ . ---1 ' , it . - P, The heavy build-up of clear acrylic floor polish on vinyl tiles can be removed by making a solution of eight ounces of ammonia and 20 ounces of powdered floor cleaner in two litres of water. The sticky build-up that appears near the edges of wooden tables caused by dirt, dust and the natural oils from hands and arms. Wipe them clean with mineral spirits (varsol) on a clean rag. While spots on glass shower doors that are so hard to remove are made up of soap residue and lime deposits from the water. Soak sheets of paper towel in vinegar and press them flat against the glass and leave for half an hour or so. Presto! Let it stand for a while after wiping it on and then scrub with a nylon scouring pad. Vinegar and ammonia are also help- ful on windows with or without scrunched up newspaper. Stains on wooden cutting boards will disappear after they have been sprinkled with salt and covered with PREMIER SHOWINGS! l e" Nv .7....____‘ tr I i .5!" “ _,rr,j,iiiliiii0j, 'd , a" ‘1-11 :7.“ Aw“ NOT HERE ALL YEAR? ME TO COM FARE REMOVING POLISH dabedr r-Update "Call us first DON 67 Lakeshore Pd, West, Oakville L6k IE] : I . If . E a CLP. . bp), t , s" i T 5; £209. _,ciifi'"'s T _ . ms}: JOYCE COLLEEN‘ IUSTARD PICK!" . PICKEU Saws hep Sc'es Rea m 5-5 (mg: NAUMOWICH depend unoolow "338-90005 I can make mine sparkle with a handy, natural cleanser - wood ash from the fireplace! Dampen a paper towel with water and dip it into the grey ash in the hearth and rub that on the glass. The creosote will lift off the glass and the brass frame with little effort. Polish the glass and brass with clean water to weaken the effect of the acidic wood ash. (1sn't that old-fashioned lye used to make soap?) If you want to restore the fresh exhilarating smell of a new cedar clos- et just take some fine sandpaper and lightly sand all the surfaces. half a lemon for five or 10 minutes. Oven cleaner will remove smoke and soot from the surfaces of a fire- place. Let it soak in for five minutes or so and then remove with warm water. Always wear gloves and have lots of newspapers on the floor to soak up any drips. Keep windows open too. The inside of glass fireplace doors get covered with creosote and obscure the fire if left untouched.