Crumb Catcher

Q: I love my leather seats. But those seams in the seats are crumb-catchers. Everything gathers there, and I haven’t found an effective and quick way to clean out the debris. Any thoughts? A: I’ve tried many methods and this is my favorite: put on a pair of latex gloves (not the thick ones for washing dishes but thin ones, like you buy in drugstores or the paint department). Then wrap tape (the thick, clear packing tape) around your four fingers sticky side out, the way we used to tackle lint on black trousers before there were lint-removing gadgets. Excellent results. And while we’re on the topic of getting crud out of hard-to-clean areas: you know how dust and other tiny particles of - well, I don’t really know what it is … stuff - gathers in the crevices and along the lips of the dials on the dashboard? I long used those little brushes you buy to clean your computer keyboard to get at that. However, I recently discovered in the hardware store an “electrostatic” duster. Think feather duster but instead of feathers it has skinny polyester threads that seem to draw debris toward them. It’s intended for home use, but it’s the best tool I’ve discovered for tackling that specific kind of grunge. Q: Like everyone else, I’ve got six keys and about 10 of those little loyalty card tags, from the supermarket, the bookstore, the library, my gym, on my key chain. My son says I’ll wind up with a big repair bill if I don’t lighten the load on my key chain. I doubt it. What do you think? A: Your son is right. I’ve heard of many cases where people with heavy key chains like yours wound up having to replace the ignition mechanism, which, really, wasn’t designed to handle the tonnage we now expect to be able to hang from it when we stick the key in the switch. Key chains have become the new wallet, and that means we’re demanding something of a car part it wasn’t designed to do. The replacement cost, when the extra heft finally wears out that unit, is, for most vehicles, around $250. Instead, many stores now offer loyalty card apps for your smartphone, rendering the tags unnecessary - and the replacement avoidable. What’s your question? Sharon Peters would like to hear about what’s on your mind when it comes to caring for, driving and repairing your vehicle. Email Sharon@ctwfeatures.com.