Don't forget these home-maintenance tasks

By early November, you’ve probably completed all the major home maintenance tasks to get ready for winter, such as changing your HVAC filters, weatherproofing your home, getting a furnace inspection and so forth. But in the midst of all this, . . .

Posted: 2018-11-03

The secret to making perfect hard-boiled eggs

QUESTION: With Easter on the way, I need to know how to make great hard-boiled eggs. I tend to overcook them until they break.Miles, MacGregorANSWER: Place eggs in a pot and fill with enough cold water to cover the eggs. . . .

Posted: 2015-03-14

Can opener can do more than open cans

QUESTION -- Whenever I purchase household items that have thick packaging encasing them, it takes me a mountain of time and frustration to remove the plastic. Often my scissors can't cut through the thick plastic. Do you have any ideas . . .

Posted: 2015-02-28

Getting rid of radon

Radioactive gas found in homes is linked to lung cancer

On Sunday, we turned our clocks back an hour. It was also a good time to change the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon-monoxide (CO) detectors (as batteries need to be changed twice a year, doing it when we change . . .

Posted: 2014-11-08

Add spices after cooking to give fries extra flavour

QUESTION: I bake French fries from frozen or freshly cut potatoes in my oven. Is it better to add the seasonings such as salt or pepper to the potatoes before putting them in the oven or after? What can I . . .

Posted: 2017-07-22

Sometimes the cheapest energy savers are best

QUESTION -- Like most people, I'd really like to reduce our monthly energy bills. I just worry about the gimmicks and easy-fixes that I often hear about, and some of the claims of energy savings from companies can't possibly be . . .

Posted: 2008-08-17

Be wary about shutting off air conditioning in sunspot vacation home

QUESTION -- I have a house in Phoenix, Ariz. During the summer when no one is living there, is it better to leave the air conditioning set at 85 F, or should I turn it off completely? The daytime temperature . . .

Posted: 2008-08-17

Peroxide or specialized product can get rid of the blues

QUESTION: We have Plumbago in our courtyard, a blue-flowered plant which is used in dyes. They are sticky, and a flower attached to my pants and then I sat on our cotton fabric couch. We now have a blue mark . . .

Posted: 2020-07-18

Conquer coffee stains with a vinegar bath

Question: I spilled coffee on my brand-new white polyester blouse. Any suggestions as to how to remove the stain? — Louise Answer: To remove coffee stains from fabric, blot with one teaspoon of vinegar and let sit for 10 minutes. Rinse with . . .

Posted: 2019-04-20

Have fun playing the frame game

I am often frustrated when shopping for the perfect picture frame. There's plenty to choose from but the ones I find are either all alike, too ordinary or too expensive. I'm no carpenter, but years ago I learned how to . . .

Posted: 2014-02-08