Question: My dishwasher does not get the dishes clean. Should I buy a new unit? Lauren
Answer: Before ‘dishing’ out several hundred dollars for a new appliance, consider the following for optimum results. The filter and basin need cleaning on a regular basis. Rinse dishes before loading the dishwasher. Powdered detergent is often more effective than liquid. Name brand anti spot agent helps the unit run better. Water temperature should be at least 49 C and no hotter than 60 C. Pour four-cups of vinegar into the basin every few months and run the cycle. Unclog the spray arms and scrub the holes with a toothbrush.
Question: How can I wash my socks so that they stay white and remain soft and free of pilling? Roberto
Answer: Separate white socks and coloured textiles, and avoid washing them with dark colours. Soak socks in a teaspoon of lemon juice, one tsp. of heavy duty detergent and enough cool water to cover them. Turn socks inside out, and wash them using warm or cold water. Avoid setting the dryer to heat and instead opt for the gentle cycle, or hang the socks to dry.
Question: My latest attempt at home repair was to make my own crown moulding for the ceiling. The moulding looks fine until you look to the corners where the miters don’t line up. There’s a big gap where the sections meet. How can I cover them up? Thanks, Tyson
Answer: While some professionals recommend using clear or white silicone to hide miter corners, I prefer using drywall compound. Purchase a small bucket of it at any hardware store. Using a putty knife, apply enough putty to the corners to hide the miters. Allow the mud to dry and then gently sand the corners. Use touch-up paint to cover up the area.
Handy hints!
To clean pet hair off furniture, use a short, bristled brush. Brush towards you, collect the fur in your hand and compost or throw it into the garbage. Another option is to wrap your hand with Tuck Tape, don’t pull the fur, but instead, dab the furniture. — Jordan
I had a stuffy nose and instead of using nasal spray, I rubbed vapor rub on the bottom of my bare feet. I was skeptical, but it actually helped clear my nasal congestion. — Jordan
I used borax and sugar on my yard to kill ants, but the combination killed the grass. I have since learned to puncture holes onto each side of an empty sour cream container (125 ml). Fill the container with three tsp. sugar and one tsp. borax. Place the container onto the area where ants are a problem, to get rid of the insects. Replace as needed. Make sure to keep pets and children away from the combination. — Brian
A nutcracker is a great tool when opening plastic beverage bottles with smaller tops, cola, juice, milk etc. The nutcracker acts as a pair of pliers thus giving a secure grip. Cheers. — Vincent
When baking a pie, bake it until it is golden brown. People often don’t bake their pie long enough. You want a crisp crust. Sprinkle sugar onto the crust, this helps make the pie look more appetizing, and helps result in a crispier pie. — Dominique
One of my favourite tips when baking is to keep instant coffee on hand. I don’t drink coffee, but I add coffee to the icing and to the batter to give the dessert a rich and delicious flavour. Dominque
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. Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca.
info@reena.ca
