Question: I pack strawberries in little plastic containers for school lunches. With strawberries being so expensive, it drives me crazy when kids eat a few bites around the stem and toss most of the berry into the trash. Other than wasting valuable time cutting stems off, how can I remove the stem? —Lindsey
Answer: Insert a plastic straw into the bottom of the strawberry. Push the straw through the berry until it reaches the green stem. Keep pushing until the stem pops right off the berry. Voila, the stem is gone and the berry is ready to eat, with nothing wasted.
Question: I have wicker furniture, which is a light golden colour but badly faded by the sun. I am wondering what I can cover it with, without having a major sanding job to remove what is left of the old colour.
And a second question: I own patio blocks that have gradually become blackened. What cleaning mixture should I use to remove the discoloration? — ern
Answer: This solution is for stained — not painted — wicker. Brush the wicker with a combination of one-third turpentine and two-thirds linseed oil. Allow furniture to dry for several days.
Next, apply an oil-base stain colour to the furniture. Finish with two coats of either varnish or lacquer.
From feedback I receive, wicker furniture painted with latex paint quickly fades and the results are not as great as oil-based products. Some sanding may be necessary if colour is loose.
Pavers should be sanded and resealed every two to three years. Clean pavers with a hose or pressure washer; hoses are less likely to cause damage.
Use a commercial paving cleaning solution or oxygen bleach powder and water. Let sit for 10 minutes and scrub with a stiff brush or a street broom.
Question: I have a really bad case of dandruff! I shampoo my hair with dandruff shampoo but it doesn’t make a difference. Do you have any advice for me? —Sam
Answer: Dandruff is the shedding of the skin on the scalp and a little dandruff is normal for everyone. If you have an oily scalp, the Mayo Clinic recommends shampooing often to prevent dandruff.
Another solution is to clean hair with shampoos containing tea tree oil; use only a few drops and stop use if scalp becomes irritated. If you are desperate, visit a dermatologist and he/she can prescribe medicated shampoo.
Question: Do you have any tips for paper cuts? They are small but boy do they hurt. —Janice
Answer: With lots of nerve endings in fingers, it’s no wonder that something so small can hurt so big. Spread a little lip balm, i.e. ChapStick, onto paper cuts for instant relief.
Tip of the Week
My hint today is to help senior ladies change the fitted sheet on their queen- or king-sized mattress. Since I am a senior well in her 80s, I was having a great deal of difficulty changing our bed. Therefore, I had to find a solution and I did.
I take off all the bedding, including the top sheet. I then move my mattress so that it is horizontal to the box spring.... and very easily remove the fitted sheet. Now I put on the fresh fitted sheet without having to lift the mattress and support it on my knees.
Then I move the mattress so that the head of the mattress is now at the bottom of the bed. Oh, so simple and no effort involved! Hope this helps a lot of senior ladies.
A faithful reader of your column. — Anne Marie
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.
