I get so many great emails and letters.  I got one last week that I thought that I would share with you for the start of the article.
Johnnie I follow your column in the Kingwood Observer, and I wanted to tell you about my experience with “Quick Shine”.  I have ceramic and earth stone floors and I tried the “Quick Shine” on both and it took those floors from drab to beautiful.  Unfortunately, then I used a harsh cleaner after that and ruined the shine.  I reapplied the “Quick Shine” and from now on I only use the “Quick Shine No Bucket” or just a damp mop to clean weekly with.  Thank you for all the good advice!
It’s my obligation to communicate with you the best way to clean.  Whether you have hardwood floors, laminate, ceramic, just about anything that is sealed floor “Quick Shine” is the easiest way to keep a shine on the floor.  And then using the “Quick Shine No Bucket” to weekly clean is simple because you don’t have to rinse.  The two products work well together, and are very economical.  I put a shine on my 16’x24’ hardwood floor in less than 10 minutes.  It was dry in 20.  Trudy used it on the parquet floors in her home.  Her floors were 24 years old and had no upkeep.  She put on 5 coats, and they looked like she had had them refinished!  No other product is like “Quick Shine”.  It is not a wax, so you never have to strip it and start over.  When your floors don’t look as shiny, just apply another coat of “Quick Shine” and then will look grand again. 

Now to the email….

Question:  My husband was your article in the Kingwood paper and I inadvertently threw it out.  This was in regards to cleaning your windows as well as what to use to power wash the house.  If I remember correctly they were not harsh chemicals. 
Answer:  The product to clean the windows is called Renz-EZ.  Renz-EZ will clean thru the screens and clean the windows and will not leave any spots.  You must do this job in the cool of the morning before the glass gets warm.  For cleaning the outside of the house, use JoMax.  The formula is 1pt of Jomax, 3pts of Clorox, in a 2 to 3 gallon pump up sprayer filled with water.  Work in 8’ sections and rinse after cleaning with Jomax.    Using a power washer on the house is not what I would recommend, ever.

Question:  I am an agent that is putting a house on the market, and looking at the garage floor I noticed that it has oil stains, and is really dirty.  Do you have any ideas; they want to put the house on the market right away.
Answer:  If it’s oil you will need to use “Drive Up”.  If the floor is really dirty, you can use “Safe Solutions” to clean with.  Just put it in a plastic watering can and sprinkle it around, sweep with a broom and then rinse off.  That should be all it takes to make the floor look good again.

Question:  I wanted to get your opinion on installing a stainless steel face for my oven so that it matches my refrigerator and dishwasher.  Does such a thing exist?
Answer:  I don’t know if a stainless steel face is available, but there is a paint that you can use and I have seen the results, and it’s amazing.  It can with stand the heat, and is easy to apply.  It’s made by Gianni, the people who make the granite paint.

Question:  Several times a day we hear a running water noise in our home.  It only lasts a few seconds each time and sounds like a toilet flushing.  What would cause that?
Answer:  Usually it is a toilet.  To find out which toilet, put a little food coloring in each toilet tank and if the toilet leaks the color with show up in the bowl.  Then just change out the flapper and put in a Frugal Flush Flapper. 

Question:  I need a little advice on giving my kitchen cabinets a face lift.  What is the best way to clean them? Should I use Murphy Oil?  The cabinets have a few nicks but otherwise – ok.  They are a light oak.
Answer:  For the best results, clean the cabinets with Magic Eraser and then apply Feed and Wax.  You will have beautiful cabinets and you will be very proud, because you did them yourself. 

Got a question for Johnnie? Tune in to Johnnie's radio show Saturday mornings on KKYX from 11-12 or call (21) 341-1573. Reach him on the web at www.happyhandyman.com.