Question: How can I get rid of the smell of old musty books? They smell like an old church. Jacob
Answer: Lightly sprinkle cornstarch between the pages. Leave for about an hour and shake the cornstarch from the pages.
Question: At the inflated cost of food, I want to make sure that everything I buy is fresh. How can I tell if a pineapple is ripe? Fionna
Answer: Tug on one of the pineapple leaves, if the leaf is loose, the pineapple is ripe.
Question: I have a white film on my kitchen cabinets. I tried wiping it off, adding oil conditioner and scrubbing it lightly. Nothing worked, maybe it discoloured the urethane. Any suggestions? Thanks, Pat
Answer: Use a hot hairdryer on the highest setting; move the dryer over the white mark to draw moisture out. As you heat the area, rub the surface with a soft cloth. The sooner you tackle this challenge, the better.
Question: I have a tall, clear, single-stem glass vase and I have been unable to remove etched cloudy watermarks on the inside. I have tried everything from baking soda, salt, vinegar, denture tablets, with no success. Any ideas? Kameron
Answer: When you used vinegar, did you heat the vinegar first? Soaking the vase with hot vinegar and then gently rubbing the surface with fine 000 sandpaper is a satisfactory solution for slightly etched glass. You can also soak the vase in hot water and citric acid (available at your local pharmacy, you may need to order it). If the etching remains, the condition is permanent. Also, if you want to “refresh” seldom-used glassware or crystal which has developed a slight film while sitting in the cupboard, but is not dirty, just hold the piece over the mouth of a steaming kettle, and polish quickly and easily with a paper coffee filter. Your glassware will sparkle again!
Question: How can I remove food stains from the skin on my fingers? Brad
Answer: Cut a slice off a potato and rub the flesh on your fingers to remove food stains.
Here comes the sun!
Before I go to the beach, I add a little baby powder to the inside of all the family member’s socks before they put them on. Sand does not stick to baby powder, and so I do not end up with sand all over the house. — Sandra
I save an empty sunblock bottle, clean it out and cut the bottom off. When I swim at the beach, I slide valuables into the opening and then secure the bottom with a rubber band. — Sandra
Avoid dripping ice cream cones, by putting a marshmallow into the cone, before adding the ice cream. — Paul
More hot tips!
To avoid mowing stripes, alternate your lawn mowing pattern. Avoid mowing grass in the same pattern each time. Mow midmorning, after the dew has evaporated.
The seedless mandarins in the store right now are so good! Get them before they’re gone.
Grow tomatoes in large pots. Layer several sheets of newspaper before adding soil. This will slow escaping water and hold the moisture. When emptying the soil into the compost at the end of the season, you can work the rotting paper directly into the compost.
Real vanilla (not imitation) is great for keeping ticks and mosquitoes away. Wipe vanilla onto skin and let dry. Mosquitoes will not bother you as much, and your skin will smell sweet.
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? Please send an email at: info@reena.ca. Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca.
