Question: What can I add to the water to make hard-boiled eggs easier to peel? — Donna
Answer: Add a small amount of vegetable oil to the pot while boiling eggs.
The shells absorb just enough of the oil so that the shells slide right off.
After boiling eggs, you can also empty all of the hot water and fill the pan with cold water. Add two bowls of ice and let the eggs sit in the ice water for 10 minutes.
Question: I am trying to get hairspray off of the bathroom walls and have had no luck using rubbing alcohol and water. Do you have another suggestion? The walls are painted with a top-of-the-line latex acrylic paint. — Jude
Answer: Since rubbing alcohol did not do the trick, your next step is clean the wall with shampoo diluted in warm water. Another wonderful option: apply shaving cream to the stained area.
Leave for five minutes and scrub.
Worst-case scenario: gently rub the wall with fine sandpaper and repaint if necessary.
Question: I use felt pads that stick on the bottom of wooden dining room and kitchen chairs. I spent time cleaning the grit and glue off and using Goo Gone and sandpaper before I put a fresh felt pad on, but again they came off.
I tried gluing the pads using a glue gun and still they come off. I have a new tile floor in the kitchen and new laminate flooring in the dining room and I don’t want to scratch the flooring. —Nancy
Answer: Forget the glue. The challenge of the glue not holding is a result of the glue being absorbed into the felt pads, therefore strength of glue won’t make a difference.
Purchase either a plastic or wooden leg protector and a nail kit (the nail is hammered into the chair foot). Or purchase properly fitted rubber protectors that slide onto chair feet.
Handy hint: As spring approaches, I want to share a tip that I discovered this past year. Instead of taking hours to sweep out debris and dirt in my garage, I use my leaf blower.
With earplugs, safety glasses and a dust mask on, I can clean the entire garage in about 10 minutes and I don’t need to move heavy furniture before I clean. — Megan
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.
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Need a presenter on the topic: Effective Speaking or The Power of Words? Check out: Reena.ca
