Are you the thrifty do-it-yourself renaissance type? If so, we have a project you'll like. It's using homemade wood preservative -- for those who are cost-conservative. You'll need a fair amount of boiled linseed oil, an equal amount of mineral spirits and enough mildicide (a pesticide that kills mildew and is found at paint and hardware stores) to treat both. Mix equal parts of boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits. Stir in a package or two of midicide per the instructions -- as if you were adding it to paint. To see how much your wood grain will darken from the preservative, wipe it with water first. It will look the same as it would with oil wiped on it. When applying, go easy, and avoid leaving puddles because oil never dries and oil puddles turn into sticky spots that will remain a ?mess magnet? forever. And that's the On The House tip for today.