Sachets Will Keep Moths Away
Q. I always store my out-of-season clothes in mothballs, but I don’t like the smell they leave.
Is there some blend of herbs and spices to put in sachets that would keep the moths away and keep my closet smelling nice? - Kelly Knutson, Marietta, Ga.
A: Lavender is an effective natural moth deterrent, and it’s also very aromatic. I love the way it smells.
Every year, I make lavender-and-cedar sachets to help keep moths out of my closets.
Little drawstring bags made of muslin are perfect for sachets. Just fill them with dried lavender flowers, or a mixture of lavender and red-cedar shavings, and tie with a ribbon. Don’t pack the bags too tightly; the air should be able to circulate so the wonderful fragrance comes through.
If you can’t find muslin bags, a muslin square or a handkerchief will also work well. Just place the herbs in the center of the fabric, gather the ends and secure with a ribbon.
Hang sachets in the closet or tuck them into drawers.
I also use other potpourri blends to make lovely, fragrant sachets. I use them myself and give them as gifts, customizing the blend to suit the recipient. Some of my favorites are eucalyptus, rose petals and dried citrus peel.
A wide variety of dried herbs and flowers is available at most herb-and-spice stores. A good source for mail orders is a shop in New York called Aphrodisia (264 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10014; (212) 989-6440). It carries drawstring muslin bags as well.
Try to make this an annual project; the sachets will last for almost a year.
Q. Awhile ago, on your TV show, you reglazed some bathroom fixtures at your East Hampton, N.Y., home.
Could you tell me how they have held up? Would you recommend reglazing as opposed to buying a new tub? I am considering it for my tub, which would be difficult to remove. - Evelyn Kranz, Bethpage, N.Y.
A. A slightly worn tub or sink - one that has some enamelware - can be reglazed. This is a nice way to preserve an old or unusual bathroom fixture. And it generally costs less than having the old one removed and replaced.
When the surface of a tub or sink feels porous, looks dull or is stained or chipped, it’s ready for reglazing - a job for a professional refinisher. (Always get references and a written guarantee.) The process involves coating the old porcelain or enamel with a synthetic sprayed-on porcelain finish.
A tub I reglazed a few years ago is holding up nicely; the finish still looks fresh. It does not get day-in, day-out use, but refinishers tell me that most jobs will last approximately three to 10 years, depending on wear and tear.
Heavy abrasive cleansers can harm the finish, so be sure to avoid these if you want to prolong the life of your sink or tub.
Q. I often think about having an ice sculpture as a centerpiece for my table, but I can’t seem to find a mold for this. No one seems to know what I am taking about. They say, “Oh, you have to have a chef cut one for you.”
I remember seeing such ice molds years ago. You just filled the mold with water, put it in the freezer overnight, and you had an inexpensive, beautiful centerpiece. - Wilma Christian, Shaker Heights, Ohio
A. There are plastic molds, such as the ones used for molding chocolate, that would work well for small ice sculptures. Look for them at baking-supply stores and in cooking catalogs.
Larger ice sculptures can be created at home from more massive blocks of ice. Professionals use an odd variety of tools to create their works of art: small chain saws, propane torches, chisels and hammers. Experimenting with these, I have successfully carved large trees, clamshells and other simple shapes.
For a different idea, you may want to pick up a copy of the June 1996 issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine. In it, we show how to make ice bowls decorated with edible flowers and herbs. The bowls can be used as centerpieces or serving pieces.
MEMO: Questions should be addressed to Martha Stewart, care of The New York Times Syndication Sales Corp., 122 E. 42nd St., New York, N.Y. 10168. Questions may also be sent to Stewart by electronic mail. Her address is: mstewart@msl.timeinc.com.