Put Me In The Frame For Window Cleaning

Nov 18 2007 Donny

Ask Donny

Q How should I clean white stone paint on the sills and tread steps of doubleglazed window and door frames?

A The best solution is to use the simple but effective Stanley glass and tile scraper, which uses a standard Stanley knife trimming blade and costs less than £5. It is extremely effective at removing paint from smooth surfaces - scrape then wipe down with warm, soapy water.

Q My external front door steps are made of terrazzo and need a good clean. What should I use to clean them?

A A terrazzo polish will deepen the colour and highlight the texture. Glasgow's Cosmo Ceramics (0141 420 1122) sell a cleaning and polishing product for terrazzo flooring called HG Marble Liquid Polish (£9.37 for 300ml or £21.14 for a litre).

It brings terrazzo back to life and protects the surface with a high gloss. Apply it using a lint-free cloth. You could also use a Black and Decker multi 4 in 1 hand sander to buff it up.

Q My conservatory is cold in winter so I'd like to insulate my laminated floor.

How do I go about this and can it be done without lifting the flooring?

AInsulating the floor won't do much good as it's the glazing that's the problem.

Fitting a radiator will make a huge difference but it won't be very energy efficient as it will need to be on all the time.

Q We have white Schreiber fitted bedroom units and don't want to shell out for new ones.

How can I update them?

A You can easily paint the units using a melamine paint and compatible primer.

Or try a one-coat paint which needs no primer. To make life easier, remove the doors, lay them down and paint them systematically.

Q We have a bath tidy which extends from the bath to the wooden ceiling but it often slides out of place and falls. Is there any way to make it stay in place?

A What you are looking for is Unibond's No More Nails on a roll. This double-sided multipurpose product combines adhesive and tape. It has a high strength which bonds two surfaces together. Simply cut the tape to the desired length and hang your bath tidy to the wall.

Are you a DIY disaster? Our expert, Donny Sheridan, will teach you the tricks of the trade with his step-bystep guide. Contact Donny at diy@sundaymail.co.uk - but sorry, he can't answer each question individually.