Advice: Ask the Experts

Printer-friendly version

Q: My house is on the market, but the winter season and the economy make it a tough time to sell. Do you have any tips for attracting buyers?

A: “One of the biggest mistakes sellers make in the winter is letting their homes grow cold and uninviting,” says Ailsa Foulke, co-owner of Sweetgrass Home Staging & Redesign. “Outdoor spaces are the first things potential buyers see, so make sure these are clean and attractive,” adds her partner, Wendy Foulke. Try livening up landscapes with cool-weather plants like pansies and flanking entryways with seasonal topiaries.

When it comes to your interiors, Wendy suggests, “Show your home during the day with blinds and drapes open. Remember that natural light highlights imperfections, so windows and furnishings need to be clean.”

However, don’t tidy your home “to the point of austerity,” advises Ailsa. If it’s furnished, add cozy touches like a quilt on the bed, a stack of plates on the table, or votives lit in the fireplace.

Q: I love winter root vegetables like beets and turnips. Can you offer tips for growing them?

A: Most everything you need to know about easy-to-grow root vegetables can be found on the Clemson Extension Home & Garden Information Center website: http://hgic.clemson.edu/plants.htm. According to the Extension, you should begin by obtaining your seeds from a reputable source (such as Cross Seed Co. in West Ashley or even Lowe’s or Wal-Mart). Plant your seeds in late summer; in coastal regions, beets should be planted between August 1 and 20 and turnips between August 25 and October 15.

To grow a quality vegetable, rotate crops and prevent root damage with shallow cultivation and hoeing. Practice early-season weed control by covering your garden bed with an organic mulch. Harvest beets when they have reached one and a half to two inches in diameter—any larger and they will taste woody. Turnips should be harvested at two and a half inches, about the size of a tennis ball.

Q: I’d like to make my own wreath this year. What’s a simple technique for doing this?

A: “First, start with a wire wreath form, available at most craft stores,” says floral editor Janet Porcher Gregg. Next, choose a base of greenery. “I love variegated shrubbery or long-stemmed dry herbs: the key is to choose foliage with volume and sturdy stems.” Cut each bough so that it is eight to 10 inches long, then group into bunches of four or six and tie with 24-gauge green floral wire. You’ll need about 60 bunches for a 12-inch wreath.

Arrange your first two bunches on the form so that the foliage faces the same direction and stems overlap by a couple of inches. To secure, wrap floral wire around both the stems and the form. “Don’t cut the wire,” says Gregg. “Just keep wrapping as you add greenery. When the entire form is covered, snip the end with wire cutters and loop tightly around the form.”

Use floral or low-temperature hot glue to add ribbon, dried fruit, ornaments, or other decorative elements. To hang the wreath, attach a store-bought metal wreath hook, or make your own hook by cutting a piece of wire from an old coat hanger. Bend the wire into a U-shape and curve the open ends to close snugly under the wire form.

Q: What’s the best way to clean a down comforter?

A: “Dry clean your comforter every three to five years,” advises Karen Prewitt of Quattro Canti Interiors. “If you must wash it yourself, take it to the laundromat.” Check the blanket for loose seams, then add to the wash with three tennis balls tied into clean white socks. “These keep the down from lumping,” says Prewitt. Using a down cleaner, wash on “delicate” and rinse twice. Dry on the lowest heat, shaking the comforter out mid-cycle.

Q: Can I donate warm clothing and blankets directly to a homeless shelter like Crisis Ministries, or should I go through Goodwill?

A: “Usually Crisis Ministries does not accept clothing donations due to the small amount of storage space, but we will accept new coats and blankets if the drop-off is scheduled with an employee,” says Nicole Bulone, community relations director for Crisis Ministries. “Our partnership with Goodwill typically helps us provide clients with these goods, as each client receives a voucher to use on clothing at one of their retail centers.”

To donate, you can find addresses for the Lowcountry’s 14 Goodwill locations at www.lowcountrygoodwill.org. Ninety percent of the profits from Goodwill’s retail shops fund programs that help individuals find and retain employment.
“If you wish to donate to lesser known charities, contact Trident United Way, as they are knowledgeable about the community’s needs,” advises Bulone. “Tri-county residents can reach them by calling 211 from any home phone.”

Q: How can I keep my kitchen sponges free of bacteria and grime so that they’ll last longer?

A: It is essential to clean your kitchen sponges, as pathogens like Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and E. coli can build up on them, making you susceptible to food-borne illnesses. The Journal of Environmental Health’s September 2007 article “Best Ways to Clean Kitchen Sponges” names dishwashing and microwaving as the most effective disinfecting methods for “inactivating bacteria, yeasts, and molds.”

Running a sponge through a dishwasher that’s set to include a drying cycle kills 99.9998 percent of bacteria. This method is ideal for steel wool sponges since these cannot be put in the microwave.

Microwaving a sponge for one minute is fractionally more effective than dishwashing, as it kills 99.99999 percent of bacteria. Dampen the sponge first to prevent it from igniting. Let it cool before removing it from the microwave because the water inside will be hot.

Q: I’d like to hang a swing from a large oak tree in my yard. What is the best way to attach it?

A: “The first and most important step in the process is to inspect the branch to make sure it is in good shape,” recommends Paul Mulkey, owner of The Tree Clinic. “Check for cavities such as soft spots, rot, and disease, which can make a branch too weak to support a swing.”

As for your installation method, Mulkey warns against a common mistake: “Hanging a swing from a rope or chain wrapped around a tree branch will cause a girdling effect that will restrict the growth of the tree. Instead, drill either an eye bolt or lag bolt into the tree and secure it with an oversized washer and nut, which will provide a tight hold,” he says. Although it seems like puncturing the tree would cause more damage, the tree will heal around the wound instead of suffering an internal problem.

Mulkey suggests using stainless steel hardware, though he says galvanized components will work too. “Either option guarantees that the swing will hold up to outdoor wear,” he says, adding that these directions can also be used to install similar items like hammocks.

Q: What is the difference between jams, jellies, and preserves?

A: “All three fall into the category of ‘conserves,’ a term which Southerners use loosely to cover a broad range of foods preserved by cooking them with sugar,” explains food editor Marion Sullivan. “Jam is customarily made of fruit cooked down with sugar, while preserves are bits of fruit cooked to a translucency in sugar syrup.” Jelly does not contain any pieces of fruit, as it is made from juices instead of from the fruit itself.

Q: What’s the best way to remove wallpaper?

A: “This is a messy task that requires lots of patience,” says Cindy Carter, owner of Perfect Finishes in West Ashley. “First, you’ll want to make sure your floor is protected—cover with a drop cloth and, using painter’s tape, shield the baseboards with plastic trash bags.”

With a 2'' x 4'' putty knife or plastic ice scraper, Carter suggests making diagonal scores through the top layer of the wallpaper, being sure not to cut the wall. “Next, mix 1/4 cup vinegar and a teaspoon of a grease-cutting dish detergent. Use a spray bottle to apply a generous amount of the mixture to the wallpaper, and let it soak into the walls for 10 minutes,” says Carter. As the wallpaper loosens and the edges begin to curl, use the knife or scraper to carefully scrape paper free of the wall.

“Once you’ve gotten all the paper off, wash the walls with a mixture of vinegar and water to remove paste residue and prevent bubbling under the new paper,” says Carter.

Q: I have a problem with pets and wildlife getting into my garden—how can I prevent this?

A: “Safeguard your plants from animals by implanting wire fencing into your garden bed,” says Paul Mulkey, owner of the Tree Clinic. “Lay the wire down across the planted flower bed, then cover it with mulch. This wire is impossible to dig through and poses no risk to your pet, while still allowing your plants to grow up through the holes.”

While dogs tend to dig, “cats will treat your smooth-trunk trees as scratching posts, especially crape myrtles, camellias, and cherry trees,” Mulkey says. “To prevent this, try domestic pet repellents such as those made by Havahart. Their bad taste and odor will deter cats.”

Wild animals like deer often present an even bigger problem than pets. Mulkey suggests a bitter repellent like Tree Guard as a remedy, which will give your plants a bad taste. “Be sure to review labels carefully, however, as some repellents contain pepper, which could irritate you or your pets,” says Mulkey.

Q: How can I keep AC costs low and energy efficiency high during the hot summer months?

A: “In an existing home, start by reducing air infiltration,” says Elias Deeb of the Noisette Company. “Check the weather stripping in the doors and seal up any gaps. Walk around the interior and exterior of your home, looking for holes in the foundation of windows and doors. Seal with caulk, making sure to choose the proper grade.”

To keep air conditioning costs down, Deeb recommends using a higher quality pleated air filter instead of the standard fiberglass variety. “While they are more expensive, you’ll only need to change them every two to three months, reducing costs as well as allergens,” he says. Next, adjust your thermostat. “In the summer, aim for a setting of 78ºF. Every degree below that will increase your energy bill by five to seven percent,” says Deeb. “To keep cool, use a ceiling fan and close blinds in rooms with bright sunlight. Your air conditioner should have a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) of at least 14. Energy Star-approved appliances are highly recommended.”

Finally, if you’re in the market for a new home, consider one that is EarthCraft
certified, meaning it was built to increase energy efficiency.

Q: What fruit tree do you recommend planting in Charleston gardens?

A: “The fig (Ficus carica) is an easy fruit tree choice for the Lowcountry home gardener,” says Amy Dabbs, Clemson University Horticulture Extension Agent. “Figs are easy to care for, needing only one inch of water per week and around eight hours of sunlight per day during their growing season, which runs from spring to summer.”

Q: What is the proper way to clean a wooden cutting board after using it to cut raw meat?

A: “I don’t recommend using wooden cutting boards,” says food editor Marion Sullivan. “I prefer boards made from polyethylene because I can put them in the dishwasher and feel pretty confident that they get a thorough cleaning.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration agrees that plastic is not as porous as wood, which means it’s less likely to harbor bacteria; however, they maintain that either a hardwood or plastic cutting board can be used safely as long as you wash it with hot water and soap, using a scrub brush to make sure that you remove all particles of food and dirt. To be on the safe side, after washing the board, sanitize it in the dishwasher or by rinsing with a solution of one tablespoon chlorine bleach to one gallon of water. If possible, use one cutting board for fresh produce and a different one for raw meat, poultry, and seafood.

Q: What’s the best way to get a reliable appraisal of a recently
purchased antique?

A: “First, you need to find a trustworthy appraiser,” says Frank Sarnowski, a Columbia-based appraiser and broker of fine art and antiques. “Unfortunately, it is easy for unqualified people to obtain appraisal licenses, so ask friends for recommendations or check with the Better Business Bureau. Museums can provide a list of appraisers that they’ve used, as can the probates department of your bank.”

Before hiring an appraiser, determine exactly how much they will charge. “A reputable appraiser will likely charge an hourly rate and will explain any extra fees for travel time, photography, or report preparation right up front,” says Sarnowski. “Be very cautious of someone who charges a percentage of the value of the item, as this can lead to corruption.”

Know that your appraiser will likely need to see the piece in person. “Photos aren’t reliable. I need to be able to see and feel the item,” says Sarnowski.

Q: How can I grow delphiniums in Charleston’s warm climate?

A: “Because delphiniums prefer cooler climates, they are not long living perennials in the South,” says JoAnn Breland, City of Charleston Superintendent of Horticulture. To achieve a successful germination in Lowcountry climates, Breland recommends planting delphinium seeds in July or August and placing them in a sunlit window in your air-conditioned house. In the fall, transplant the young plants to your garden.

“Delphiniums are very heavy feeders and need soil that has been amended with compost or aged manure,” advises Breland. “The healthier the foliage and root system, the better chance of beautiful blooms in the spring.” Be sure, however, to stop fertilizing with nitrogen (which encourages new growth) by the middle of November to allow the plants to harden off before any freezing temperatures arrive. Fertilize throughout the winter using a product with zero nitrogen content, and cover plants at night if freezing temperatures are expected.

As soon as bloom stalks begin to grow in the spring, tie each stalk to a stake—this will help protect them from heavy rain and wind. “Remove blooms throughout the season, as this will encourage new flowers to grow,” advises Breland.

Q: Are dehumidifiers necessary to prevent mold from growing in Lowcountry homes?

A: “While dehumidifiers can help decrease harsh moisture, most of the mold problems I see are a result of neglect,” says David Wilsey of A 2 Z Home Inspection. “People often ignore minor leaks in pipes or roofs, and over time, this moisture causes mold to grow.” If you’re worried that you may have a mold problem, call a home inspector, who will charge anywhere from $500 to $1,000 for a comprehensive exam.