Be 'plastic fantastic' on recycling spree
[caption id="attachment_39667" align="alignright" width="539"] STAIN STRAIN: Try bleach for stains and specialised tile cleaner for floors[/caption]
RECYCLING has become such a way of life. Now I can hardly throw anything away, but there seems to be some controversy about which plastics are recyclable. Do you know if the thicker plastic, such as mayonnaise and peanut butter bottles, supplement containers or yoghurt and margarine tubs, are in fact recycled? – PW, Port Elizabeth.
Who better to ask than the person responsible for the entire waste disposal operation, including recycling, for a large golf estate?
It would seem that plastic of all kinds can be recycled. Just to make sure, you can check that the plastic container concerned carries the little logo indicating this. The logo is a triangle made of arrows. I must warn you, however, that the emblem is sometimes very small, but it's pressed into the bottom of several bottles in my storage cupboard and also in the containers of the household cleaning products I use.
I read in your column about "black stuff" in the washing machine, and how to get rid of it. I had the same problem about two years ago and was advised by the washing machine agent to stop using a fabric softener. Apparently it can cause a build up of "black stuff" on the inside of the drum. I have not had this problem since. – JP, Port Elizabeth.
Thanks for your message. I would hesitate to entirely blame fabric softener for the problems of "black stuff" occurring in a washing machine, but it is certainly advisable to use it sparingly. Apart from the washing machine problem, towel manufacturer Colibri says that using too much softener affects towels' absorbency.
I have a problem with grey stains, like drops, on the inside of a glass shower door. I have tried lemon, vinegar and methylated spirits with no success. What do you suggest? – LK, Port Elizabeth.
You have used the things I usually recommend for getting rid of a soap build-up on glass shower doors. Perhaps your problem is something different. A rub with a sponge dipped in bleach may help. Hopefully this would be the end of the stains. It will definitely be the end of the sponge!
To remove soap scum, reader Joan mixes a little ammonia and meths in a spray bottle, three-quarters filled with water. Be careful of the ammonia fumes.
A commercial product that could do the trick is Mr Muscle Five-in-One Bathroom Cleaner.
We have tiled floors throughout the townhouse, which are cleaned every week with tile cleaner liquid in the water. But I notice the floors are getting "tacky". Certain shoes and my sheepskin slippers make a noise as I walk! Is it an overdose of tile cleaner and what do you recommend to sort it out? – SAT, Port Elizabeth.
This shouldn't happen if the commercial cleaner is used in the correct proportions, but now that there is a build-up you need to get rid of it. I recently checked out the products, and the stand-out one was Tile & Floor Care's Easy Clean. I can vouch for it because they use it in my hairdresser's salon, with great effect.
Home market
I am looking for the fungus that you brew on green tea for eight to 10 days. Mine is old and I've been unsuccessful in finding a healthy batch. Please can someone help me with a starter batch? – Martie, 071-458-9188.
Some time ago I bought a second hand electric bicycle in Gansbaai. I'm having problems with it and cannot find anyone in Port Elizabeth to help me. I've tried the motorbike and bicycle shops. I would really appreciate some help. – Malinda, 083-282-4114.
If any of your readers have white or purple cannas, I would like to hear from them. – Kosie, 082-731-9302 or
- At Your Service, with Gwen Bisseker
