Around your house 4/4/07

Gardening

Things to do this week

Shrubs and trees best planted or transplanted in spring, rather than fall include butterfly bush, dogwood, Rose of Sharon, Black gum (Nyssa), vitex, red bud, magnolia, tulip poplar, birch, ginkgo, hawthorn and most oaks. Winter mulches should be removed from roses. Complete pruning promptly. Remove only dead wood from climbers at this time. Cultivate lightly, working in some compost or other organic matter. -- www.mobot.org

Home improvement

Removing stubborn stains

It isn't a party until something gets spilled, but don't panic. Here's a few solutions for removing tough stains from clothing, linens and furniture. To remove barbecue sauce from white napkins or towels, stir 1/4 cup dishwashing detergent and 1/4 cup bleach in two quarts cold water. Add the stained napkins and let sit for an hour or two. Rinse, then machine-wash as usual, using a cold-water rinse. Remove ketchup on clothing by rubbing with a stain stick. If you have a grease stain from gravy, butter or salad dressing, do not rub. Start by sponging the dry fabric with a citrus cleaner. Blot until the stain disappears. Rinse red-wine stains in warm water or with club soda. Soak the clothing or table linen in a solution that combines two tablespoons of laundry borax with two cups of warm water. Lipstick on napkins can be removed by sponging with denatured alcohol and then liquid dishwashing soap. -- www.hgtv.com