Question — Is it OK to allow a dog to lick dirty plates in the dishwasher? I visited my friend, and her dog was “cleaning” the dishes as they were being placed in the dishwasher. I was horrified! Susan
Answer — This is a question with strong opinions on both sides. Some say they have shared food with their pet for years and find nothing wrong with it. Others feel ill, at the thought of eating off the same dish as one licked by an animal. It is not recommended to allow your pets to, “help wash the dishes.” Some of the food that humans eat is not safe for pets to eat. Also, some people would argue that bacteria on a dog’s tongue may not be healthy for humans, others will strongly disagree with that statement.
Question — My fiancé vacuums in half the time as me. Does the rate of speed matter when it comes to proper cleanliness? Diana
Answer — The slower the vacuuming, the more dirt and dust is extracted. Adjust the head so that it is low to the ground, put on your earphones, play music, and take your time.
Question — I accidentally used permanent marker on the dry erase whiteboard in my classroom. I scrubbed it with alcohol, but it is still there. I am now getting ready for a new school year. Any suggestions? Mark
Answer — Use a dry erase marker to colour over top of the permanent marker. The markings will quickly disappear.
Question — Help! I set a bottle of Lysol toilet cleaner on my bathroom countertop. It was wet on the bottom and left a white stain. Any suggestions for removal of stain. Val
Answer- Using a green scrubby pad and rubbing alcohol, scrub the area until the stain is gone. If the stain remains, the cleaner may have bleached the countertop, which will need to be recoloured.
Question — How can I prevent rice from sticking to the pot while cooking and ending up with a ball of “glump”? Tim
Answer — One way to prevent rice from sticking to the pot is to cook it in the microwave. For one cup of rice, add two cups of water. Season and cook in microwave on HIGH for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed, with no sticky mess. If you prefer to cook rice on the stove, rinse the rice before you boil it (until the water becomes fairly clear). Add a little oil or butter to the pot. For one uncooked cup of rice, add three cups of water, simmer for 15 minutes. You’ll get perfect rice every time.
Great Ideas!
Add a dab of glow in the dark paint to a light switch so that you can find it easily, in the dark. — Emily
Insert lemon peels into shoes to remove foot odour. — Emily
If you find that the sauce you are cooking is liquid and thin, thicken with a combination of flour and butter (add in small batches). Cornstarch is usually a good thickener, but mix it with a little water first. A little goes a long way. Some cooks use dried potato flakes as an emergency thickener. Allow the excess liquid to boil out of the sauce until it is reduced in volume. — Rajan
If your bathtub has a yellow or brown stain around the drain hole. Lay a dishcloth over the drain hole and soak the cloth with three per cent hydrogen peroxide. Next sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda onto the cloth. Flip the cloth (baking soda side down) over the drain hole and leave for a few hours. Scrub with a nylon pad to remove the stain. — Katherine
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.
