Question: I enjoy your column every week and have found your hints very helpful in the past. However, as we live in a fairly newly developed area in Winnipeg, we are experiencing unclean water from time to time. Consequently, this has stained the nylon shower curtain liner and, after several washings, it is not totally clean. The dirty water seems to have stained the liner. Any suggestions as to how I can get this clean and white again? Your comments will be most helpful.
— Erika
Answer: To get shower curtains really clean: Add 1 cup (250 mL) vinegar to the water when laundering in the bathtub or washing machine. Or spray with 1 cup (250 mL) rubbing alcohol, 1 cup (250 mL) heavy-duty detergent and 1 cup (250 mL) water. Let soak for five minutes and scrub.
Question: I find cleaning the grout in my bathroom tedious. Can you suggest a fast way to clean grout?
— Amber
Answer: Beginning at the top of the wall, squeeze either commercial or homemade cleanser onto the tile. As the cleanser drips downward, scrub the wall with a wet, clean toilet bowl brush used only for this purpose. Scrub and rinse the wall with water.
Homemade shower cleanser
Into an empty dish soap bottle, pour 1 tbsp. baking soda, 1/4 cup liquid Castile soap (found online or at health food stores), 1 tbsp. water, 2 tbsp. vinegar. Shake and squeeze (the bottle, not yourself) onto the grout. Scrub with a brush or abrasive cloth.
Question: Whenever I bake muffins they end up tough and rubbery. They are never light and moist. What am I doing wrong?
— Kendry
Answer: Choosing to bake with a dark, non-stick pan is often one of the culprits that results in heavy muffins. The second is too much egg; for an average two-dozen muffin recipe the amount of egg you use should equal 1/4 cup, or one large egg.
Squeaky clean tip
To clean the glass on the inside of the oven door I wipe some dish soap over it and then use a single-sided safety razor blade to clean it off. The blade cleans off all of the baked-on splatters and doesn’t scratch the glass at all. Then just wipe over the glass with a soapy cloth to remove any residue and dry off.
— Breanne
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.
Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca. Ask a question or share a tip at reena.ca
