Question: I become very frustrated trying to change sheets; it’s always a guessing game. I put the sheets on my bed, and they don’t fit, so I turn the sheets and fiddle with them until they fit. Is there an easier way?
— Thanks, Eloisa
Answer: Fit the sheets onto the bed with the care label on the bottom left side of the mattress. Manufacturers often sew the care label tag to the bottom left side. If labels no longer exist, mark the bottom left corner with a permanent Sharpie or fabric marker so that you will never again play this "Guessing Game."
Question: I would like to bake cupcakes from scratch. How much batter do I need for 24 cupcakes?
—Laura
Answer: If you make enough batter for a double layer cake, you will have batter for 24 cupcakes. Fill each muffin liner two-thirds full. If you want to make cupcakes ahead of time, you can freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to two months.
Did you know? The first cupcakes did not have frosting but instead were topped with lard as a kind of cake-moistening gravy. Winston Churchill was the first person to suggest a kind of sweet frosting on the top of the cakes.
Question: My husband purchased hand lotion that smells horrible. Short of throwing the lotion out, do you have any ideas for another way to use the hand lotion?
—Leslie
Answer: No point in wasting money by tossing the bottle out. Instead of smearing the lotion onto your skin, use it to shine your shoes. Place a few drops onto leather and buff with a soft cloth. Or, as an alternative to shaving creaming, use hand lotion. Shave and rinse with water. If you have static hair, smooth your hair with hand lotion the smell won’t stick around for more than a few minutes. This trick also works on static pet fur.
Why not make your own hand lotion using this unbelievably easy recipe? Soak a handful of rose petals in two third cups of water for 30 minutes. Strain and add one-third cup of glycerine (found in the pharmacy of any grocery store). Store in a bottle. Shake before each use.
Handy Hints from Manitobans
To clean grout in my shower I use either bleach or vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the grout and scrub with an old toothbrush. Wear a mask and gloves when cleaning and never mix anything other than water with bleach. — Ben
Instead of wrapping potatoes in foil before baking, consider the following: when potatoes are baked and wrapped, they will be steamed and may become soggy because excess moisture cannot escape. For baked potatoes that are crispy on the outside and flaky on the inside, poke the potatoes several times with a fork and bake in a 400-degree oven on a baking sheet. — Glo
Save on brown sugar by making your own. For every cup of white sugar, mix two tablespoons of molasses. — Martha
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.
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