QUESTION -- I just purchased a brand-new beach ball and already it has a hole in it. How can I locate the hole so that I can successfully patch it? Jessie, Winnipeg
ANSWER -- Sometimes if you put your ear to the ball, you can locate the hole within seconds. Another solution is to fill a bucket or sink with water. Hold your beach ball under the water. Observe where the bubbles are coming from. Remove the ball from the water, dry and circle the hole with a marker. Lay the ball flat and adhere a patch. If you do not have a proper beach ball patch, dab superglue around the hole making sure that the glue surrounds the hole. Stick Tuck tape onto the area and press. Leave for 24 hours before inflating ball.
QUESTION -- My friend recently had her diamond ring cleaned; it now sparkles as if it were brand-new. Without taking my ring in to be cleaned, how can I make it shine? Celeste (Piney, Man.)
ANSWER -- If you really want to make your ring sparkle, it is important to clean it regularly, especially if you wear it day after day. In a measuring cup, mix 1 part household ammonia to 6 parts warm water. Soak the ring for at least 5 minutes. Remove the ring and polish with a little dish soap and an old toothbrush. Rinse the ring with water and -- voila -- the ring will shine once again.
QUESTION -- The lower element of my oven is hidden. I baked a strawberry/rhubarb pie and to prevent the juices from dripping, I put a sheet of aluminum foil on the oven floor -- big mistake. Part of the foil stuck to the oven and looks like it is melted on. There is probably no solution for my stupidity but just thought I would ask you. Enjoy your column. Grace, Winnipeg
ANSWER -- I am assuming that you are talking about a self-clean oven. While there isn't any safe way to quickly remove the foil without damaging the porcelain finish of the oven. You can use a plastic scrub pad, some liquid dish soap and a plastic scraper to remove loose pieces. This is best done when the oven is warm (be careful not to burn yourself). When you are wiping out the oven, periodically use a plastic scrub pad and each time more will come off. The great news is the self-cleaning oven feature will eventually remove the foil, but it may take several cleaning cycles and a bunch of patience.
QUESTION -- We have a ceiling fixture that has three-inch plastic teardrops hanging from the edge of it. They look discoloured and I wonder what I can use to bring back the clearness of them? Thank you. Ruby (Gretna, Man.)
ANSWER -- Here is my favourite recipe for cleaning plastic teardrops on light fixtures. Cover the floor with newspaper. Combine 1 tsp. rubbing alcohol, 4 cups hot water and 2 tbsp. dishwasher anti spot agent i.e. Jet Dry. Spray onto plastic teardrops, drip dry, no need to polish. Or soak the teardrops (if they are detachable) in this solution, whichever works best for your situation. Taken from Household Solutions 1 with Substitutions.
Fantastic Tips of the Week:
-- I enjoy your column and have also purchased your books. Great advice. I have a tip that has proved invaluable to me since having Silhouette Shades by Hunter Douglas installed in my living and dining room windows. To clean them of any little bugs, dust, etc., I use the can of Compressed Gas/Air Duster, which we use for cleaning the computer keyboard. With the little straw attached, cleaning is a breeze. Hope this helps others. Submitted by: Edna, Winnipeg
-- For moister homemade cake recipes: Add 1 tsp. vinegar to the baking soda in your recipe. Submitted by: Kathy, Winnipeg Beach
Reena Nerbas is a highly popular professional speaker and author of the national bestselling series, Household Solutions 1 with Substitutions, Household Solutions 2 with Kitchen Secrets and Household Solutions 3 with Green Alternatives. I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. www.householdsolutions.org
