Garde: Fittings, Furniture and Fixtures. Please read through the useful hints, tips and how to guides below.

To clean

salt

Sprinkle a handful on the plate while it is hot. When cool, it should be easier
to clean.

For brighter coals
1-2 tablespoons salt
Sprinkle on the fire for glowing coals.

To restore

1 part bleach | 3 parts water detergent | swimming-pool paint

Scrape off any old loose paint then scrub with bleach solution When it is clean, wash out with detergent, rinse, and allow to dry in the sun for a week or more. Paint the interior with a good swirnming-pool paint.

200 g alum | water

Azaleas and some other plants hate lime, so if they are to be planted in a cement container, treat it first by plugging drainage holes, filling with water and adding alum. Leave for several days until lime is neutralised.

To improve absorption

broom handle | large bullet-head nail

Hammer a long thick nail into the end of the broom handle. Push the nail repeatedly into the lawn to make holes through which water can penetrate.

To clean concrete

cat litter

Dampen the concrete then sprinkle it with cat litter and scrub with a broom.

To remove oil stains

sand | detergent

Allow sand to absorb as much oil as possible, then scrub stains with detergent.

1 part detergent | 6 parts kerosene

Leave mixture on the path for 5 minutes then hose off.

'1/2 bottle phenyl | 1/2 bucket water
Scrub hard with this solution.

To remove paint
paint remover or acetone
Rub with either depending on type of paint.

To remove rust and tyre marks
brake fluid or hydrochloric acid

Pour on brake fluid or 1 part hydrochloric acid diluted with 10 parts water.
Protect hands with gloves, and scrub marks, then hose off.

spirits of salts | sawdust

Protect hands with gloves, then cover rust stains with spirits of salts then
sawdust and leave for 1 hour.

To remove candle-wax

iron | brown paper | 1 tablespoon borax | 1 L water

Scrape off bulk of wax, then place brown paper over the remainder. Apply hot iron to brown paper and wax will melt into paper. Continue with more brown paper till most wax has gone. Dissolve borax in hot water and scrub cement with a strong brush; it should end up white and fresh.

To remove moss
vinegar | methylated spirits
Mix together equal parts and scrub path with a scrubbing brush. Leave for 15 minutes then repeat and leave for a further 15 minutes. Flush with water and sweep away moss with a broom.

Slippery paths or steps
paving paint fine sand
Paint with clear paving paint and, while still wet, sieve sand over area.

To weed paths
kerosene

Sprinkle on paths to save time weeding.

To secure lids

Pierce lid and tie to the handle with twine.

empty matchboxes

Use these to keep spare seeds.

old egg cartons

Plant out seeds in these before trusting seedlings to the open garden.

Line shallow boxes or cartons with aluminium foil and fill with potting mix. Seedlings can be lifted out later for planting.

newspaper

Line bases of window boxes with several layers to prevent soil drying out after watering.

liquid wax

When furniture is new or rust free, apply a coat of liquid wax to prevent rust. Repeat from time to time.