QUESTION - The dry winter air has been hard on me this year. Can you recommend a household solution for cracked, dry heels? Bruno (Brandon).
ANSWER - You may need to consult your physician if the skin is badly cracked. To soothe your skin temporarily, make a foot bath using 14 cups of warm water, 1/4 cup cooking oil and the juice of a lemon. Let them soak for 15 minutes and apply cream to feet. Or while soaking in the bathtub, apply shampoo to a pumice stone and brush the heels of your feet. Apply lots of body lotion following the bath, put a plastic bag on each foot and cover with socks for a few hours.
QUESTION -- I own a white plastic laundry tub that has become dirty and stained. Any hope I can make it look new or at least acceptable without replacing? Thanks. Candace (Selkirk).
ANSWER -- Here are a few solutions for you to add to your treasure box of hints! Fill your tub with four cups lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide, 20 cups water and 1 cup baking soda. Soak the laundry tub for a few hours. Set the tub in the sun for a day. Or you can sprinkle a generous amount of dishwasher detergent into the laundry tub and fill with hot water. Or purchase dishwasher plastic booster and add to the tub along with water.
QUESTION - I purchase freshly baked bread packaged in brown paper bags. The ends tend to dry out quickly. Is there anything that I can do to prevent this? Robert (Portage la Prairie).
ANSWER - Continue to keep room-temperature bread in a paper bag and leave the cut side down on your cutting board. Doing this keeps the inside soft.
QUESTION - I bought a pair of burgundy jeans and when I got them home, I noticed a strong chemical smell. I washed them with laundry detergent and hung them up to dry. The smell was just as strong. So next I washed them three times in white vinegar. There was a little improvement but I still couldn't wear them. Next I tried Borax, no change. Now I am soaking them overnight in the borax solution. Any other ideas? Thanks, Max (Ste. Anne).
ANSWERS - The smell is a result of dyes and chemicals used in manufacturing the jeans. Since the fabric is dark, your best bet is to soak them in Coca-Cola for a few hours. Wash as usual. In any case, the odour will fade over time as you continue to wash and wear them.
Manitobans Share
Re: Hard boiled eggs
Whenever I make hard-boiled eggs, I boil and cook them as usual. Then I drain off most of the water and put the lid on the pot. Shake vigorously so that most of the peels fall off. Put peeled eggs into a sealable bag and store in the fridge for up to one week. Blessings, Martha
Best make-ahead freezer foods
Save yourself time during a busy week, by stacking your freezer with make-ahead foods
*spaghetti sauce/meatballs
*sloppy joe meat/taco meat
*perogies
*homemade calzones
*cookie dough
*BBQ pulled pork
*pizza crust
*banana bread/muffins
*purchase a precooked rotisserie chicken. Shred and package meat into individual containers and freeze. Use chicken for salads, pot pies, soups, stews, quesadilla's etc.
*cupcakes (ice after thawing)
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.
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