Energy levels may still be too low to attack any major spring cleaning projects, but it might be a good time to tackle some of the smaller jobs that need doing around the house. There`s the rung of a chair that won`t stay put, the remains of chewing gum on the couch, crayon marks here, rust marks there. You`ve probably tried the ordinary products you have handy and they haven`t worked, so little by little you`ve learned to overlook the problems. Now, however, there are products that have been created to take care of those little aggravations you`ve learned to live with, so small cleaning and repair jobs can be done in less time with less frustration. Remember, however, that some of these products can be harmful and should be kept in a safe place so children can`t experiment with them.
Because some of the products mentioned below were only recently introduced to the trade, they may not yet be available in stores. Unless otherwise specified, manufacturers do not sell directly to the public but may be contacted for names of local retailers.
Some glues are just too complicated or too dangerous to deal with. You may have to mix them yourself and you may end up gluing your fingers together. FI:X Homeowners Glue, however, does not have to be mixed and won`t bond skin the way some superglues do. FI:X, in fact, is nontoxic and nonirritating and quick-drying so children can use it for their cut and paste projects, yet it is strong enough to fix a broken chair or reglue a recalcitrant tile. It will even work on most metals and plastics. Suggested retail price: $1.99. Darworth Co., P.O. Box K, Avon, Conn. 06001 (phone: 800-672-FIXX).
If your area rug keeps slipping out from under you, Fiber-Lok will keep it firmly in place. Fiber-lok is made from latex rubber and can be brushed onto the back of a rug to create a nonskid backing. Rugs treated with Fiber-Lok can be machine washed and dried. Suggested retail price: $7.29 for a pint, $11.49 for a quart. Environmental Technology Inc., Department CT, P.O. Box 365, Fields Landing, Calif. 95537 (phone: 707-443-9323).
When you glue dark wood with light-colored wood glues, you may end up with your seam showing. But Elmer`s Glue now has a Professional Carpenter`s Wood Glue for Darker Woods to solve that problem. The dark color of the glue blends in with woods such as mahogany, cherry and cedar. This fast-setting glue is water-based so it does not produce harmful fumes. Suggested retail price: $3.09 for an 8-ounce bottle.
Elmer`s also has a new Invisible Glove to keep hands from getting dirty while cleaning up and fixing up around the house. Invisible Glove is a protective hand cream that prevents dirt, paint or grease from getting into the skin or under fingernails. The nontoxic cream does not leave hands slippery and washes off with soap and water. Suggested retail price: $3.39. Borden Inc., Home and Professional Products, P.O. Box 16700, Columbus, Ohio 43215 (phone: 614-225-7500).
Now you can get rid of some of those stubborn spots and stains you thought you had to live with. Goo Gone will get rid of the sticky, gummy marks left by grease, tar, crayons or makeup. It can tackle something as complicated as chewing gum, whether it be ground into the carpet or matted in a child`s hair, or as simple as removing those little sticky spots left when you remove the prices from new plates or glasses. Suggested retail price: $3.69. Magic American Corp., 23700 Mercantile Rd., Cleveland, Ohio 44122 (phone:
800-321-6330).
New Mostenbocker`s Lift Off from Loctite, in an aerosol can, is three cleaners in one. It can remove gum and adhesive marks on most surfaces. Spray it on candle wax or bumper stickers, wait one minute and then peel it off. It works also as a degreaser for cars, bikes or tools, but is safe enough to remove spots from clothes. Suggested retail price: $2.99 for the 5-ounce size, $3.99 for the 9.5-ounce can. Loctite Corp., Automotive and Consumer Group, 4450 Cranwood Court, Cleveland, Ohio 44128 (phone: 800-321-9188).
Simple Green is an all-purpose cleaner that can be used for as many household chores as you can imagine. Originally sold only in automotive stores, it is now available in hardware stores and will soon be on supermarket shelves. Used full strength or diluted, it can clean barbecues or bathtubs, upholstery or jewelry, remove grease spots or grass stains. Simple Green, which recently received the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, is
nonabrasive, nontoxic and biodegradable. Suggested retail price: $3.99 for 16 ounces. Simple Green, 15922 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Harbor, Calif. 92649 (phone: 800-228-0709).
The De-Rusting Tool from Mr. Fix will remove small rust spots from metal surfaces such as appliances, garden furniture or cars. The De-Rusting Tool is shaped like a retractable pencil and has an abrasive tip of tightly packed fiber glass strands so it can clean very small spots rather than treating the area around the spot, too, the way sand paper does. Suggested retail price:
More Top Picks Best Leather Sofas Brands
$5.77 for De-Rusting Tool and one refill. Marson Corp., 130 Crescent Ave., Chelsea, Mass. 02150 (no phone inquiries).
If you have some reupholstering to do, screening that needs to be replaced or some craft projects you`re working on, the POP 1000 stapler might come in handy. The tool is easy to use because it`s lightweight yet powerful. Suggested retail price: $11.49. Emhart Consumer Group, Home Products Division, P.O. Box 13716, Reading, Penn. (phone: 215-921-2791).
Getting hard-to-reach surfaces clean is easier with Squeegee from Mr. Longarm. The tool pivots 180 degrees to clean the odd angles and shapes of windows, shower doors or solariums. Squeegee comes with a 6-inch blade and a 10-inch blade, and the handle is designed to attach to Mr. Longarm extension poles. Suggested retail price: $6.61. Mr. Longarm Inc., 400 Walnut St., Greenwood, Mo. 64034 (phone: 800-821-3508).
Orange-Sol has a new all-purpose cleaner, Clean-Away, that can be used for numerous household chores. Used full strength, it cleans grease and grime not only from hard surfaces but fabrics as well. It can tackle grass stains, most food stains and spots left by spilled wine. When diluted with water it can be used to clean walls, counter tops and appliances, and windows. Clean-Away has an orange fragrance and is safe to use because it is nonabrasive, nontoxic, nonflammable and biodegradable. Suggested retail prices range from $1.98 for the 8-ounce size to $12.95 for one gallon. Orange-Sol Inc., P.O. Box 306, Chandler, Ariz. 85244 (phone: 800-877-7771).