Tips, Tips, and More Tips from October 2004

Sweet Annie (Artemisia annua) is a fragrant herb that can help remove odors from antiques. Put some fresh sprigs inside the drawer or box that needs deodorizing and in a few days the smell will be gone. Be sure the plant’s many seeds do not become embedded in fabrics or corners.

Don’t store vintage fabrics in plastic garment bags or dry-cleaner bags. Get cloth garment bags. Use a padded hanger, not a metal one. Be sure the fabrics are not exposed to high humidity or sunlight.

Be sure to put your garden urns and statues in a safe location. Don’t leave dead tree branches above the piece. They may break and fall. Some types of stone and metal remain free of organic stains if they’re left in partial sunlight and heat, but not if they sit in deep shade.

To remove a sticky price label from a piece of silver, heat it with a hair dryer to soften the adhesive. Then peel off the label. It there is sticky glue left, remove it with isopropyl alcohol.