Pssssst! Household secrets!!!! (countertops, heater, blinds, mold)

[harborlady]

grease stains on walls- if cleaner wont take it out, use a paint called KILZ in home depot and lowes. nasty stuff, make sure you vent well, but it really does work.

warning about the roomba- my landlady's rooma got destroyed when she left it going with an ill pet in the house. it smeared everything all over in the most awful way and never worked right again- only meant for dry stuff, not wet. had she kept the pet outside while she was out, i'm sure it would still be going strong.

[harborlady]

algae on the deck= standing water problems. might have been green wood they used, not enough camber to let it drain off all the way, gutter problems, or a combination of all of the above. Make sure your gutter isn't clogged or leaking, allowing the water shed onto and stand on the deck.
cleaner- you could try this... Instructions for Moss and Algae Killer

once you've got it clean and dry, seal it up with thompsons wood sealer. the algae wont like the taste of that stuff. coat once a year in the spring, it should extend the life of the deck too. check with the home depot guys.
I've got some redneck buddies who recycle old motor oil to coat stockade perimeter fences (for preventing algae), but on a deck in the summertime heat, its likely to bubble up like creosote and make a mess on shoes into the house or barefoot kids. I wouldnt recommend it for a deck.

[brokensky]

Originally Posted by harborlady

algae on the deck= standing water problems. might have been green wood they used, not enough camber to let it drain off all the way, gutter problems, or a combination of all of the above. Make sure your gutter isn't clogged or leaking, allowing the water shed onto and stand on the deck.
cleaner- you could try this... Instructions for Moss and Algae Killer

once you've got it clean and dry, seal it up with thompsons wood sealer. the algae wont like the taste of that stuff. coat once a year in the spring, it should extend the life of the deck too. check with the home depot guys.
I've got some redneck buddies who recycle old motor oil to coat stockade perimeter fences (for preventing algae), but on a deck in the summertime heat, its likely to bubble up like creosote and make a mess on shoes into the house or barefoot kids. I wouldnt recommend it for a deck.

We seal w/ Thompson's every other year, LOL. Nothing helps w/ this mess and the deck is over 20 years old so it is well dried out. We power wash and seal every other year. The area is just very shaded. Have never had such a problem w/ a deck before. Our lower deck is only 4 years old and it is exposed to the sun - never have a problem with this deck as far as this nasty green stuff.

Thank you for the link! Will check it out! I just know I killed my rhodos last year by throwing the clorox on the slime. SIGH. Maybe we will just have to power wash it again this year . . . We have been so surprised that the nasty stuff shows up even after sealing. Just never have had this problem b/f at any house and have had decks on various houses for 35 years.

[ontheroad]

I thought I'd share this yahoo article for those that might not have seen it on "green" living as it covers cleaning in a rather unique way. I was rather impressed with several of the alternative suggestions.

Go Green for a Long Life on Yahoo! Health (http://health.yahoo.com/experts/drmao/11147/go-green-for-a-long-life/ - broken link)

[harborlady]

Originally Posted by anifani821

We seal w/ Thompson's every other year, LOL. Nothing helps w/ this mess and the deck is over 20 years old so it is well dried out. We power wash and seal every other year. The area is just very shaded. Have never had such a problem w/ a deck before. Our lower deck is only 4 years old and it is exposed to the sun - never have a problem with this deck as far as this nasty green stuff.

Thank you for the link! Will check it out! I just know I killed my rhodos last year by throwing the clorox on the slime. SIGH. Maybe we will just have to power wash it again this year . . . We have been so surprised that the nasty stuff shows up even after sealing. Just never have had this problem b/f at any house and have had decks on various houses for 35 years.

Most of what would kill algae will likely kill plants. I think the fact that its the shady part of the house, older wood that already allowed the slime to take root, it is what it is. you didnt mention your drainage system (gutters ok?). I've noticed properties with trees very close to the house also have this problem. Nothing gets a chance to dry.

I'm assuming pressure treated lumber is what yall used, in which case sanding is out of the question. You might be forced to just replace it outright, save the old lumber for a doghouse or something. New pressure treated lumber, if its completely kiln dried and ready to go, can be painted first on all sides with thompsons seal before you ever hammer it in place. Then put on a second coat after the nail courses to make sure algae/moss doesn't have access. Prevention is key.

I don't know if cedar decks are prone to these problems. You could try asking the guys at the lumberyard.
Sorry I couldn't help more, my experience with algae is limited to marine hull anti fouling paint that is so toxic its not even funny. No way I'd want kids near it.

[barbjf]

I also use bleach on my deck for the green stuff, I just spray it on the deck and any deck furniture that needs a good cleaning and rinse it off and its great no scrubbing. I have also sprayed it on right before its due to rain and let the rain rince it off..I live near NC-Charlotte.

[brokensky]

Originally Posted by barbjf

I also use bleach on my deck for the green stuff, I just spray it on the deck and any deck furniture that needs a good cleaning and rinse it off and its great no scrubbing. I have also sprayed it on right before its due to rain and let the rain rince it off..I live near NC-Charlotte.

Hey, Barb! I am in Charlotte, too! Maybe if I just spray some on and let it sit instead of splashing it on . . . I already killed the rhodos that were at the edge of the deck so what other damage can I do? I also put gravel under my deck so no damage there . . . I think I have just been using too much and scrubbing when I could have just sprayed a light amount of Clorox and let it sit . . .

I just can't imagine having to power wash every year. Also, w/ Charlotte being under water restrictions, we really can't power wash this Spring.

[harborlady]

Originally Posted by anifani821

Hey, Barb! I am in Charlotte, too! Maybe if I just spray some on and let it sit instead of splashing it on . . . I already killed the rhodos that were at the edge of the deck so what other damage can I do? I also put gravel under my deck so no damage there . . . I think I have just been using too much and scrubbing when I could have just sprayed a light amount of Clorox and let it sit . . .

I just can't imagine having to power wash every year. Also, w/ Charlotte being under water restrictions, we really can't power wash this Spring.

Perhaps planting in raised beds would protect them better? just a thought.

[tcs1366]

not sure if this has been mentioned or not... but Vinegar for water deposits.

I use it for my water distiller. I just let it soak over night..... works like a charm.

[brokensky]

Originally Posted by tcs1366

not sure if this has been mentioned or not... but Vinegar for water deposits.

I use it for my water distiller. I just let it soak over night..... works like a charm.

Nice tip, TCS. And white vinegar to clean out automatic coffee makers . . .
Oh - and irons, too! Gets all those mineral deposits out!!!