Around your house 4/18/07

Gardening

Things to do this week

Easter lilies past blooming can be planted outdoors. Set the bulbs 2 to 3 inches deeper than they grew in the pot. Mulch well if frost occurs. Apply controls for holly leaf miner when the new leaves are just beginning to grow. Balloon flower (Platycodon), hardy hibiscus, gasplant (Dictamnus albus) and some lilies are slow starters in the spring garden. Cultivate carefully to avoid injury to these tardy growers. -- www.mobot.org

Home tips

Let bathroom exhaust fan run long enough

Do you run your bathroom fan long enough to complete the job that it's there for (removing all moisture or providing a complete exchange of room air)? Probably not -- and you're not alone. Few realize how long a bathroom exhaust fan needs to run after a steamy hot shower or a long relaxing bubble bath. A few minutes does little; it takes about 20 minutes to remove all moisture. A complete exchange of room air takes a little less time, but generally more time than most people allow, primarily due to the noise associated with fans. One logical solution is a timer switch that comes on when the light is turned on, but keeps on running for the proper length of time, well after the light is turned off. If you don't think it's important, you will change your mind when the wallpaper starts peeling and grout lines turn dark from mildew. -- AP

Home improvement

Cleaning kitchen cabinets

Q: What can I use to clean goop and junk off of my maple kitchen cabinets?

A: We have a formula you can put together yourself that will do the trick. You'll need the following ingredients and supplies: an empty and clean coffee can, 1 quart of water, 3 tablespoons turpentine (not paint thinner) and 3 tablespoons boiled linseed oil. The turpentine and linseed oil can both be purchased at just about any paint store. Use rubber gloves and eye protection, and make sure to have plenty of ventilation when doing this project. First, boil the water and pour it into the coffee can. Add in turpentine and linseed oil. Whatever you do -- do not reheat this concoction. Once you add the turpentine the mixture becomes flammable. You will have to mix the ingredients thoroughly. Dip a rag in the mixture and wring it out. Clean small areas at a time and immediately wipe dry with a clean white soft cloth. Do not reheat this product -- it is very flammable. If the solution cools down simply make a new batch. -- AP