QUESTION: I have lost your hint on how to remove foil off of the bottom of a self-cleaning oven. Thank you. — Kathy
Answer: While the following isn’t an instant solution, it is effective at removing foil without damaging the porcelain finish of your oven. In a cool oven, lay a hot, wet rag on the oven floor, leave it for 20-30 minuters. Use a little liquid dish soap to lubricate the area and scrape the foil with a plastic scrub pad, plastic scraper, or a credit card. The foil will eventually burn off.
QUESTION: I am getting ready to pack for a wonderful vacation and my luggage is just so dirty. It is red and soft sided and the outside is dusty, dirty, stained, etc. I have tried vacuuming it, using a can of upholstery shampoo and a damp cloth, all to no avail. It almost seems a waste of time, as when it gets off the plane it will just be filthy again. Any ideas? — Mandy
Answer: Not sure what the fabric content or finish of your luggage is, if you have a polypropylene/cotton/or vinyl suitcase, sponge with a weak solution of laundry detergent, then dab with clean water. For soft plastic/vinyl bags use a dilute glass cleaner with water and wipe over the bags. Remove stains with laundry detergent in warm water, then rinse and dry. Or mix 4 tbsp. of baking soda in a cup of water. Dampen a clean cloth with the solution and scrub the spot, being careful not to get the canvas too wet. Rinse. The easiest way to avoid luggage becoming dirty during transit is to secure it inside of a large clear recycling bag. Safe travels!
Clever tips of the week
• To kill ant hills in the yard take a scoop of the soil from one ant hill and pile it on top of the soil of another ant hill. The theory is that with such a large variety of ants, they do not like being part of another’s territory and will move on. — Submitted by: A wonderful woman at Creative Retirement
• If you ever find yourself driving a vehicle that needs a fill but not knowing which side the gas tank is on. Check the gas gauge icon on the screen of the vehicle. Most have an image of a gas tank with an arrow pointing to whichever side the gas tank is on. — Submitted by: Leminda
• I saved a photo of my business card as my screen saver on my phone. I lost my phone a few weeks ago and the person who found the phone was able to contact me right away because as soon as they clicked the home button on my phone, my contact information became visible. — Submitted by: Thomas
Liven up breakfast
Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes: Liven up breakfast by adding a little spice to an old favourite. Into a bowl combine one quarter cup melted butter or margarine, 5 tbsp. brown sugar one and a 1/2 tsp. cinnamon. Pour the mixture into a squeeze bottle or piping bag. Combine pancake batter as usual and pour batter into a heated pan. Beginning in the centre of the pancake, pipe cinnamon butter in a circular swirl towards the edge of the pancake. Cook and flip. Remove the pancake 15 seconds after flipping.
Top the pancake with cream cheese icing (one quarter cup softened butter, 2 ounces room temperature cream cheese, 3/4 cup icing sugar and half tsp. vanilla extract) or sprinkle with sugar. Chef’s Hint: wipe pan after cooking pancakes so that the sugar in the pan does not burn.
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
