Colourful solution to faded garden furniture dilemma

WE have a white PVC garden set and I would like to know how to go about changing the colour, because it has become very rough, powdery and discoloured from cleaning, scrubbing and being in the sun permanently. – Cathy, Port Elizabeth.

My initial reaction of "No, you can't paint the furniture" has now changed to "Yes, you can". This has come about as a result of a call to my local Dulux outlet. To my surprise, I was told that painting was definitely an option.

To start with, you must smooth the surface with fine sandpaper, and then paint with an undercoat. After that, the choice is yours, but the dealer did recommend Pearl Glow, his company's water-based enamel.

This paint has been around for some time, and I have used it in the past and found it a real pleasure being able to wash brushes rather than go through the cleaning rituals needed with oil-based enamel paints.

But before you paint, you could consider the option of a product called 30 Seconds, recommended by Des, an East London reader. Responding to a recent item in the column on protecting plastic furniture, he wrote to say that his outdoor chairs had weathered badly and become discoloured and oxidised. He had "great results" from the product, which is available at major hardware stores.

Could I offer a suggestion on the storing of coffee, which has been a subject in your column? To keep granules in good shape, when opening pull the inside aluminium foil open for about one third of the way. That's enough room for a spoon to take out your coffee. When closing, pull the foil back to the edge of the tin. Seal as usual and leave upside down. (This works for paint, too, when storing). – FK, Port Elizabeth.

Thanks for your suggestion, to go with those about keeping the coffee in the fridge.

I have also heard from "BB" of Port Elizabeth, who says his sister-in-law puts Glad Wrap over the coffee bottle or tin opening before screwing the cap on to prevent hardening.

She keeps her coffee like this in the cupboard and has no hardening problems.

Both of these suggestions seem to bear out the theory that completely airtight containers are necessary for long-lasting coffee.

 I was interested in the items in your column about ways to combat flies. My old gran used to add a little paraffin to the rinsing water when washing her dusters. She was adamant that dusting the furniture with these cloths kept the flies away. – HW, Uitenhage.

Thank you for another anti-fly tip. This certainly sounds like something worth trying. My file on flies continues to grow!

 The glass door of my oven becomes stained quite quickly with regular use. My maid, who is a bit asthmatic, does not like using the high-powered cleaners in my cupboard and hates the smell of methylated spirits. Is there a more benign product we could use? – TR, Port Elizabeth.

I can't vouch for this from personal experience, but a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water should clean the glass and restore its sparkle.

And apart from cleaning the oven, bicarb is one of those things – like vinegar – that has 1000 uses.

Bicarb is an alkali, which means that it will take out mild acid stains, such as fruit juice. Use it on a damp cloth to remove tannin stains from cups or teapots. It can also be used as a paste with water to apply to insect bites to reduce swelling and ease itching

Home market

Please could someone supply me with the recipe for pastry that used to be printed on the back of the Holsum packaging. Sharon, tel 083-650-3403.