QUESTION: I love my polar fleece tops and jackets, but they are such magnets for hair and pet fur. The hair/fur stays on the garments even after laundering. Can you suggest some kind of laundry product or method to solve my problem? I don't use commercial laundry softeners in either the washer or dryer, as I am sensitive to smell. Kathy, Winnipeg
ANSWER: You are not alone, Kathy. Many pet-owners refuse to purchase fleece solely because of this challenge. Lint brushes, masking tape and lint rollers are not overly effective because fur becomes imbedded in the fleece fibres. Unfortunately fabric softener in the washer is your best defence against cling-on fur. Of course, vinegar is a wonderful alternative to commercial softeners; use about one cup per load.
QUESTION: We have the Household Solutions book series, but it is in Winnipeg and we are in Mazatlan for the winter. We have Plumbago in our courtyard, a blue-flowered plant which is used in dyes. They are sticky, and a flower got on my pants and then I sat on our cotton fabric couch. We now have a blue mark the shape of the flower right in the middle of a white area.
We have taken the cover off so we can wash it, but don't know the best thing to use. Right now we have toothpaste on it but thought we would ask you. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks. Ingrid and Frank, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Unfortunately, toothpaste won't cut it because the fibres are permanently dyed as opposed to surface dyed. The great news is that the cover is washable. If you are fine with lightening the entire couch cover, then purchase dye remover or Iron Out and use it according to the directions on the package. This is easy to find at most craft stores. If you only want to lighten one particular area, then remove the couch cover and soak the area with three-per-cent hydrogen peroxide on the blue spot. Wash and repeat this process until stain is gone. Paint thinner is one other option for direct treatment on the flower mark. Enjoy Mexico!
QUESTION: I have a copper chafing dish which is badly tarnished; do you have a suggestion on how to clean it? Pat, Winnipeg
ANSWER: The following hints are effective for cleaning copper: Sprinkle salt on a wet sponge and wipe. Or mix lemon juice and baking soda together. Rub with an old toothbrush. Another option is to smear copper with either ketchup or WD-40, wait 10 minutes and polish.
QUESTION: I want to have a cupcake-making party for my daughter's ninth birthday party. How much batter do I need for 24 cupcakes? Dwayne, Garson, Man.
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: I know you have answered this before in the Free Press, but I am still struggling with this problem.
I bought a pair of burgundy-coloured jeans in Grand Forks last weekend and when I got them home, I noticed a strong chemical smell. I washed them with laundry detergent and hung them up to dry. The smell was just as strong. So next I washed them three times in white vinegar. A little improvement, but still couldn't wear them. Next, I tried borax. No change. Now I am soaking them overnight in the borax solution. Any other ideas? Thanks, Shaun, Ste. Anne.
ANSWER: The smell is a result of dyes and chemicals used in manufacturing the jeans. Soak them in Coca-Cola for a few hours. Wash as usual. In any case, the odour will fade over time as you continue to wash and wear them.
Wonderful Feedback from Caring Manitoban:
Dear Reena,
With regards to your tip about cleaning pots, I want to tell you that a handful of rhubarb (available in the frozen-food section in the winter) does a great job of cleaning a blackened pot (voice of experience). PS: When preparing rhubarb, if you bake it instead of boiling it, the rhubarb won't go mushy. Mrs. R., Winnipeg
Fabulous Tips of the Week
-- Don't dust any cleaning surface higher than your tallest friend.
-- Staying focused while cleaning is important. Set a timer for five minutes and start cleaning, when the times goes off stop cleaning and eat a huge snack to reward yourself.
-- Share the work of cleaning your house by forming a Cleaning Club. Nominate yourself president and supervise while all members clean your house.
-- Company pops over and the house is a mess, inform guests that you are in the process of reorganizing and needed to scatter stuff in every room to figure out the best place for each item.
-- Used facial tissue can be saved as extra stuffing for pillows.
-- Attach clothes to the bottom of your indoor slippers to polish your floors as you walk.
-- Toothpicks can be washed and reused up to eight times.
Reena Nerbas is the author of the national bestselling Household Solutions series. Her website is www.householdsolutions.org You can contact her at Box 429, Blumenort, Man., ROA 0C0.
