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 cold water and wash as usual.
Question: What is a fast way to clean up fresh dog doo on carpet?
— Donna
Answer: The fastest way to clean the mess is to pour a half-cup of club soda onto the area. Blot and repeat. When the stain has faded, cover the spot with one teaspoon of dish soap and blot with water.
Question: I recently purchased a stainless-steel thermos with foil wrapped around the exterior. Although the instructions say, "dishwasher safe," the foil peeled after four washes. Now, the foil is half-gone and looks unappealing (pardon the pun). Should I toss the thermos, or is there a remedy to fix it?
— Thomas
Answer: The foil on the thermos peeled due to the heat of the dishwasher water. You have two options, you can either contact the manufacturer and inquire about a refund, or continue similar steps to peel the remaining foil. Put the thermos into a stainless-steel pot and fill it with enough water to cover the thermos. Bring the water to a boil for at least five minutes. Use tongs to remove the thermos, and gently scrub the remaining foil off with a non-scratch abrasive pad.
Great tips from great Manitobans
Before giving up on a carpet stain, dab it with shaving cream. Rub gently and rinse.
— Ron
My least favourite cleaning job is the fridge shelves. Lay plastic wrap onto shelves and replace when the shelves look dirty.
— Jan
To clean shower doors, dampen a dryer sheet with water and wipe hard water spots on shower doors.
— Ron
Clean ceiling-fan blades by dampening a pillowcase with water. Position the blade inside the case and wipe. Wash the pillowcase as normal.
— Ramandeep
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.
Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca. Ask a question or share a tip at reena.ca
