Question: Guests are coming for supper soon, I have decided to cook chicken. Previously, I served undercooked chicken to my cousin; that was embarrassing. What is the fastest way to tell if it’s done, without looking like I don’t know what I am doing? Thank you.
— Randy
Answer: Have no fear: I have experience serving both under- and overcooked chicken, causing me to search for foolproof indicators to know if chicken is cooked properly. Use a good-quality cooking thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the chicken. The internal temperature should read 74 C. The juices should run clear, which is another indicator the chicken is cooked.
Question: I live with three athletic teenagers. What is a good way to stop shoes from smelling?
— Patrick
Answer: Some athletes rub their feet with deodorant before any sort of exercise. When shoes are not in use, take a fresh coffee filter and fill it with half a cup of either fresh coffee grounds or baking soda. Tie the filter closed with a rubber band. Place the filter inside shoes when not in use. A cotton ball with a few drops of essential oil placed inside the shoe is also effective at reducing smells.
Question: My husband and his friend purchased a room of contents in a "collector’s" home, so there are now three bags of old sheets, bedspreads, blankets, etc. The smell is one of old houses, musty with a side of cigarette smoke. The white items have yellowed. Yuck! The fabrics include 100 per cent cotton, polyester cotton blends and 100 per cent polyester. Items appear to be about 50 to 60 years old. How do I remove the odours, whiten and brighten enough to sell them in an upcoming garage sale or upcycle in some crafty way? I do have a sanitizer cycle on my front-loading washer and was wondering if you thought this might be an option. The water is super-heated, so I was unsure whether to proceed. Any advice would be appreciated. Kind regards.
— Denise
Answer: You are right, hot water is the most effective temperature for combating odours and the sanitizer cycle is a great idea. Before washing fabrics, soak them in Iron Out, found at hardware stores. Refer to the instructions on the bottle; this will help combat the yellow stains as well as the smell. Wash as usual. If the odour remains, place the items in the bathtub, soak fabrics in either four litres of white vinegar and enough hot water to cover them, or 500 ml of borax or washing soda and hot water. Wash as usual. If yellow remains on the sheets, dyeing them white is a great option.
Great tips
Buy several pounds of butter when it is on sale. Store them in an airtight container in the freezer until ready to use. — Dana
Synthetic wine corks are great for sealing partially used tubes of caulk. Drill a 5/16-inch hole into the cork about one-inch deep. The cork fits perfectly and makes an airtight seal. — Brian
Rejuvenate day-old muffins, doughnuts and croissants. Sprinkle the tops with a little water and microwave for 10 seconds. — Dana
To keep fresh-cut tulips from flopping over, put a few pennies into the bottom of the vase. — Sue
A bay leaf put into a container of flour will repel bugs. I especially use this tip when I am camping. — Dan
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 at reena.ca. Ask a question or share a tip at reena.ca.
