QUESTION: I own a wool rug with a floral pastel design. The rug has rust stains from the feet of a metal coffee table. How do you suggest I clean this? Gail, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Here are a few options for you, Gail. Into a mixing bowl combine: 3 tbsp. dish soap, 2 tbsp. white vinegar and half cup water. Beat until foamy. Using a white cloth, wipe the rust stains with the foam. Cover the area with plastic wrap and place a heavy book on top. Leave for 12 hours, give it one more scrub and air-dry. Or scrub the rust with Head and Shoulders dandruff shampoo or shaving cream, and rinse with water.
QUESTION: What is the fastest way to peel a kiwi? Leon (Ashern)
ANSWER: Here are two great tricks for peeling a kiwi quickly. Slice a half-inch off of both ends of the kiwi. Insert a tablespoon inside the kiwi between the flesh and the fruit. With the concave side facing the peel, move the spoon around the kiwi to loosen the fruit. Let the kiwi drop out of its peel. An even faster option is to slice the kiwi in half lengthwise. Using a glass cup, hold the bottom of the kiwi onto the edge of the cup (the fruit should be facing inward). Push the fruit downward and use the edge of the cup to force the kiwi to slide off of its peel and into the glass.
QUESTION: I would like to make a static dryer ball. You call it a "wool" static ball. Does that mean you must use wool and not yarn? Faye (Winnipeg)
ANSWERS: You can use either 100 per cent wool or wool yarn to make felted dryer balls. These are great because they reduce drying time, soften clothes and reduce static cling. Wrap wool or wool yarn tightly to make a ball, a little larger than a pool ball. Tuck the loose strand inside the ball. Fill a sink with hot water and dish soap. Soak the ball in water and remove. Cover the ball with a thin layer of your favourite laundry detergent. Wash the ball and rinse with water. Allow the wool to dry. To add fragrance to dryer balls, add a few drops of your favourite essential oils to the wool balls. Put five or more dryer balls in your dryer at the same time. Another option is to make several tight balls of wool. Place all of the balls inside a pair of panty hose. Use rubber bands to secure and separate each ball in place. Wash the nylons (which now look like a caterpillar) in the washing machine and toss in the dryer, they are now felted. Separate and use.
Feedback from Manitoban who Cares
Re: How to organize photos so that they take up less space
Dear Reena,
This is in regard to your article in the Dec. 20 issue of the Free Press. We are senior citizens in Manitoba who have taken up a hobby preserving and restoring old and new photos. Most of our work involves people who are downsizing and want to have a more compact presentation of their photos.What started out as a hobby has been keeping us in demand for our services.If you would have Mary (or any of your readers) contact us we can discuss this further. Thanking you in advance. Fran (f.murray.mtp@outlook.com)
Fantastic Household Tips of the Week
A fast way to hull strawberries is to push a straw from the bottom to the top through the center. Submitted by: Jackson
After the core is removed from strawberries, use an egg slicer to quickly cut them into pieces. Make sure the strawberries are room temperature before you chop. Submitted by: Jackson
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Need a presenter on the topic: Effective Speaking or The Power of Words? Check out: Reena.ca
