Hangers secure precious plates for decorative wall treatment

Published 6:04 pm Wednesday, February 4, 2009

I just bought nine porcelain plates that included ribbons. How should I hang and arrange them on my walls? Decorative plates often come with ribbons. But for very rare or good plates, I suggest you use plate hangers specifically designed for the job. You’ll find many kinds if you search the Internet or your local hardware store.

The hangers come in various sizes, designs and finishes for different types of plates. Once the plates are hung, you will see only four little decorative feet, but they’re very strong. I’ve never lost a plate when I’ve hung them this way.

As for the arrangement, if you have nine plates, it would be simple and beautiful to do three rows of three. You could also hang four plates in one row and five underneath.

I stored clothes near the wall of my cedar closet, and now they have a brownish cast. Can they be saved?

Cedar, like many woods, emits oils that interact with fabric and can stain it. Clothing should never be placed directly on or near unfinished wood. Wrap clothes in canvas bags or clean cotton sheets; avoid plastic for long-term storage, as it traps moisture and can lead to mildew growth. To remove the stains, soak washable cotton and linen items in oxygen bleach. Then launder the clothes as usual. Dry-cleaning is safest for woolens and silks.

I just bought a set of pots. While I was deep-frying, the oil spattered, which turned the outside of the pan brown. Can I remove this?

Try a little oven cleaner, preferably a nontoxic kind. Brush the cleaner onto a small area first to see if it removes the spots. Don’t scrub the exterior with anything abrasive. It’s important not to leave the oil or it will get blacker every time you cook with the pan and will never come off.

Which kind of de-icer works best?

Most de-icers have some adverse effects on the environment because they contain chemicals that can get into groundwater, lakes and streams.

The greenest solution is to shovel early and often to prevent ice accumulation. To improve traction, you may need to scatter sand, cat litter, sawdust or another gritty material over walkways and driveways occasionally.

Be sure to sweep up the substance afterward so it won’t be tracked onto your clean floors or, eventually, clog local sewer systems.

Although sand and other materials are sometimes misconstrued as de-icers, they neither melt ice nor prevent its buildup.

If you prefer or need to use a de-icer, there are quite a few options. Rock salt (sodium chloride) is the least expensive and is effective in temperatures as low as 15 degrees. But it’s toxic to plants and highly corrosive to metal, so be careful where you use it.

Calcium chloride works better, especially at low temperatures (down to -25), because it gives off heat as it works. It is less toxic to plants than rock salt but is as corrosive and can cause skin irritation on hands and the pads of pets’ feet.

Urea, a nitrogen-based garden fertilizer, melts ice without damaging plants when used sparingly, but it corrodes metal, doesn’t work at temperatures less than 20 degrees, and can be harmful to pets if ingested.

Calcium magnesium acetate won’t corrode metal or harm vegetation and is less environmentally troublesome than the rest, but it’s expensive and doesn’t work at temperatures under 25 degrees.

Whichever de-icer you choose, use it sparingly, and don’t expect it to melt ice completely. Keep de-icers away from metal planters and garden furniture left outside, and never pile snow containing a de-icer on or near plants, including grass. When the ground thaws in spring, water it well to flush salts from the soil.

Questions should be addressed to Ask Martha, care of Letters Department, Martha Stewart Living, 11 W. 42nd St., New York, NY 10036. E-mail to mslletters@marthastewart.com.

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