Question: Do you have a homemade solution for cleaning a front-loading washing machine? Betty
Answer: It is a good idea to check the manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning the machine. My favourite solution is to pour half cup of baking soda along with four-cups of white vinegar into the machine. Run the machine with a load of towels. Washing soda as a substitute for baking soda will leave you with an even better finish, but it is sometimes difficult to find in stores.
Question: What can I do to reduce the frizz and static of my hair during winter months? Thank you, Louise
Answer: Using a piece of aluminum foil, smooth your hair. You can also use a fabric softener sheet in the same manner. Extra tip: If your fabrics are clinging to you, swipe them with a wire hanger.
Question: Is a ceiling fan meant to cool or heat a room? When purchasing a fan what should I look for in terms of blade length?
Answer: A good quality ceiling fan can cool a room, eight degrees or more, not by lowering the temperature of the room, but by making the room feel cooler. In the same way, when a fan is reversed the room will feel warmer because as the air is distributed, hot air rises.
Fan blades should be between 52 and 42 inches. The larger the room, the longer the blades should be.
Feedback worth noting
Re: Make boxed pancakes taste homemade
I never use boxed pancakes because I have a super easy recipe used by my whole family. I love fluffy pancakes and have three tips. Don’t over stir the batter when mixing, and let the batter sit for a few minutes so the baking powder starts working. Try not to disturb the batter too much when scooping it out onto your preheated griddle.
Jean’s Fluffy Pancakes
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour (or a combination of white and whole wheat)
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3 tbsp. sugar
1 egg
1 1/4 cups milk
3 tbsp. melted butter or vegetable oil
1/4 tsp. vanilla
Stir flour, baking powder, salt and sugar together. Beat egg thoroughly, add milk. Make a well in the centre of dry ingredients; slowly add the egg-milk mixture. Add melted butter and vanilla. Stir quickly until ingredients are just mixed and batter is still lumpy in appearance. Drop by one quarter cup onto the hot griddle. Cook until pancakes are filled with bubbles and under surface is golden brown. Flip and brown bottom.
We usually cook a double batch, so we have some for freezing and toasting. My grandkids enjoyed these as smaller (silver dollar) pancakes made by their parents. An easy start to toddler breakfast on busy mornings. — Jean
Bring on the Holiday Decorating!
I use zip ties or clothes pins to hang Christmas lights outside. They are cheap, easy to use and don’t leave marks. — Elmer
I utilize garden tomato cages decorated with mini-Christmas lights. I turn them upside down so that they look like mini trees. I have them, why not use them to line my entire driveway? — Marge
Use old Christmas decorations and secure them to an old sweater, to create your entry into an ugly Christmas sweater competition. — Louise
Use pieces of cheap orange, black and red construction paper to decorate your white fridge to look like a snowman. — Louise
In the bathroom, pile three rolls of towel paper, one on top of the other. Place a toque on the top roll. Glue eyes, and an orange nose onto the top roll, to look like a snowman. Cut out black circles for the buttons and the mouth, glue them to the rolls. Use pipe cleaner for the arms. — Louise
Tie one red ribbon, the length of your door, and one ribbon around the width of the door to intersect in the middle. Add a giant bow in the middle to look like a wrapped gift. This inexpensive and easy trick makes a really, big showstopper. — Adam
Note: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first.
Have a great suggestion or tip? Email reenanerbas@outlook.com
