Q: On Thanksgiving, dinner rolls with buttered tops were put into a myrtlewood bowl that I love. Since the bowl isn’t lacquered, I now have butter remnants all over the bowl. I tried using cornstarch to absorb the residue, but no luck. Any hope for my much-loved bowl?
– Jan Wenrick, Stow
A: Sandy Bolton of Myrtlewood Factory Showroom in North Bend, Ore., said the usual care of myrtlewood involves rubbing it with oil, so re-oiling your bowl might even out the spots. She recommended washing the bowl first with mild soap and water, and then rubbing it with a bit of mineral oil.
If that doesn’t work, she recommended lightly sanding the bowl with fine-grit sandpaper and then re-oiling it.
Have a question about home maintenance, decorating or gardening? Akron Beacon Journal home writer Mary Beth Breckenridge will find answers for the queries that are chosen to appear in the paper. To submit a question, call her at 330-996-3756, or send email to mbrecken@thebeaconjournal.com. Be sure to include your full name, your town and your phone number or email address.