NOW WHAT?!?

Smart solutions for life’s little disasters

Nail polish spilled on my wood table.

PAM GARMONY, viae-mail

THE FIX: Soak up what you can by applying pressure to the spill with a rag or a paper towel, says Lou Manfredini, the home expert at Ace Hardware. To deal with the stain, place a brownpaper grocery bag on top and run a warm iron over it a few times; this will soften whatever is stuck on. Then use a plastic putty knife to gently scrape the warm polish away. (Scrape in the direction of the grain to minimize marks.) Finally, use a white nylon scrubbing pad and all-purpose cleaner to remove the remnants. If any of the finish has come off, you can touch up the table with a wood restorer (like Restor-A-Finish, $13, acehardware.com). In cases where a stain is large or where the damaged piece is an antique, it’s best to call in a professional.

Written by Brandi Broxson Illustration by Peter Oumanski

My ears feel dirty.

WENDY LARCHMONT, via e-mail

THE FIX: Not cotton swabs, says Benjamin Tweel, an associate professor of otolaryngology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in New York City. “Swabs can push ear wax and debris further into the ear canal and can even cause wax production to increase,” he says. Instead, use ear drops containing carbamide peroxide to break down excess wax and moisturize the ear canal. (Try Debrox drops; $5, amazon.com.) Apply five drops in each ear for three to five days. If the feeling persists, see your doctor. I’m at a party, and I have wine teeth. Help!

CINDY N., viae-mail

THE FIX: Grab a glass of sparkling water, says Lana Rozenberg, a dentist in New York City: “The bubbles will loosen and help scrub away the stain.” None available? In an emergency (because the citric acid used here can damage tooth enamel), rub a lime or lemon wedge over your teeth, then eat a bit of cheese to keep the stain from returning. “Calcium will build up on the teeth, closing micropores on the surface, which will make it difficult for any red tint to stick,” says Rozenberg. For future parties, brush your teeth soon before drinking red wine to remove plaque (stains adhere to it). Or pack teeth wipes (Wine Wipes, $9, amazon.com), which contain stain-removing baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.

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