Question: I purchased an antique set of coffee cups to use at my daughter’s wedding. However, I noticed that the inside of each cup is stained. What is the easiest way to clean brown stains on the inside of a coffee cup? -Louise
Answer: Denture tablets are fantastic at cleaning coffee stained mugs. Drop one tablet into the ceramic and/or glass cups. Fill with hot water; leave overnight and wipe with a non-scratching abrasive pad.
The combination of one teaspoon of baking soda and one cup of vinegar are also effective at cleaning coffee stains.
Effervescent denture tablets are a good cleaner for fingers or fingernails yellowed by smoking. Soak fingers in a dish with one denture tablet dissolved in one cup of water.
Denture tablets are also great for cleaning combs, jewelry, white linens and removing clothing stains.
Question: Some people have complained that I have terrible foot odour. Do you have a solution for a homemade foot powder? -Corey
Answer: Begin by consulting with your physician, as you may require medical attention. For a home remedy, combine 50/50 cornstarch and baking soda and rub it onto your feet.
For a bonus, reduce foot odour by soaking your feet in warm tea. In other words, make a cup of tea to drink and another one for your feet.
Question: After a few too many, my fridge ended up with a big dent. Can the dents in my stainless-steel fridge be fixed? -Casey
Answer: There is a theory that if you heat the dents with a hair dryer or press dry ice onto the area and then blast it with cold air, the dents should release and vanish.
After researching this theory, I have found it unsuccessful. The safest and least noticeable solution is to leave the dent or dents as is or call a professional dent repair company.
Question: While away this winter, my dishwasher leaked onto our vinyl floor leaving rust stains from the screws on the subfloor. How can I remove the stains? Thanks, JB
Answer: Pour one tespoon of household ammonia and one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide and one drop of dish soap onto the area. Cover with plastic wrap and leave for three hours. Scrub the area with a green scrubby pad (test on an inconspicuous area first).
Question: What do the words ‘al-dente" mean when cooking noodles? -Hank the Bachelor
Answer: Great question! This Italian phrase means, "to the tooth" and refers to the cooking time. In other words, the pasta should be cooked so that it remains slightly firm and chewy instead of soft.
Give garlic a chance
— I noticed several people sending in tips, and I wanted to share my best tip. It’s an old one; twice a month, I drop a clove of garlic into my toilet bowl. I always do this at night when the toilet is less likely to be used. In the morning I flush the toilet, and the garlic actually helps keep the bowl smelling fresher. — Mike
— Wasps don’t like garlic. Spray the following mixture on your skin to deter wasps as well as mosquitoes: In a spray bottle combine one teaspoon of dish soap and one or two cups water, drop in two or three cloves of garlic. Leave overnight. Spray clothes with the repellent mixture. — Emmanuel
— To remove the peel from garlic cloves. I have the following tip – microwave a clove or two on high for about five seconds, then cut off the end and the peel will just slide off. — Jessica
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.
