QUESTION: Can you tell me how to decorate cookies with sugar so the sugar sticks to the icing instead of falling onto the baking sheet? Sincerely, Lawrence, Grunthal
ANSWER: Paint your cookies with one egg white combined with 1/4 teaspoon water. Egg white is like glue on cookies and will hold the sugar to each cookie perfectly.
QUESTION: We have aluminum blinds on our patio doors and I plan to place them in the bathtub to clean. What detergent should I use to clean them? Enjoy your weekly column -- great ideas. Thank you, Pat, Winnipeg
ANSWER: On a weekly basis, it is wise to put the brush attachment onto your vacuum nozzle and vacuum your blinds. If you prefer not to use the vacuum, put a clean sock on your hand and wipe the slats of the blinds with a damp cloth and a small amount of shampoo. When the time comes for a thorough cleaning, remove the blinds from the window. Either lay them on the lawn and spray them with a hose. Or place them in your bathtub and spray with cheap shampoo and water. Or run the jets in your jet tub to get the blinds clean. Rinse with water. After blinds are dry, wipe each slat with a fabric softener sheet to repel dust.
QUESTION: We have a smooth top range and while the burner was hot, a micro fiber tea towel was dropped onto it. This actually melted and left a smeary mess all over the burner that doesn't want to come off. Any hints on how to try to remove it? I tried a Scrunge while the burner was cool or slightly warm, as well as the paste cleaner recommended for these types of stove tops but no luck. Thanks for your help, Diane, Sandilands
ANSWER: Head to a store where appliances are sold. They will sell you a tool that looks like a razor blade. This little gadget will not damage the surface, but will save you time and effort cleaning the stove top each time you use it. There are also products on the market for cleaning cooktops, but a little dish soap, water and the razor tool is all I would use. Another possibility is to squeeze grapefruit onto the stove and sprinkle it with baking soda. Scrub the area until clean.
Feedback from readers
Re: Burnt food in pot
Dear Reena,
Please tell Jean regarding the burnt red cabbage pot to put some hot water and a dryer sheet in it. Leave for several hours or overnight, it should wash out easily. I use it whenever I burn something. H. T. (P.S. I love your hints)
Re: Hockey bag smell
Hi Reena,
Love your column. You should know there is a Canadian product, called Get The Odor Out. Many hardware and department stores carry it and the Toronto Maple Leafs use it in their bags, skates and pads. I know this because an NHL player told a friend of mine he uses it. Just spray it on and in seconds the odours are gone. It is ozone based with no fragrance added. All you are left with is freshness. They also have a skunk formula for dogs. We even use it to deodorize dog odour in cars and RV's. Wayne
Fabulous Tips of the Week
Instead of tossing the core of Romaine lettuce into the compost bin grow a new head of lettuce using the core. Simply place the core in a bowl of water and watch a new head of lettuce grow. Change the water every few days to reduce bacteria growth. Submitted by Kayla
Here is a solution my daughters use to substitute an egg in a recipe. One of my daughter's bakes for a vegan friend, the other daughter bakes for children with egg allergies. Buzz the following in a blender for five seconds. 1/4 cup flax seed and 3/4 cup water. Store in fridge. One teaspoon equals one egg. Substitution works for cookies, cakes and muffins. All the best, Jeanette
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
