QUESTION: I can't stand it when people knock on my door trying to sell me stuff. I put up a sign that says, No Solicitors! To my surprise, this does not stop people from ringing my doorbell and trying to pawn their junk off on me. From little kids to adults, they just won't leave me alone! Why doesn't my sign make a difference? Ben (Landmark, Man.)
ANSWER: Well, I can tell you that most young kids (and many adults) don't have a clue what the words No Solicitors means. You may want to begin by rewording the sign so that everyone can understand. Secondly, often companies training salespeople teach them to knock on the doors of people displaying those very signs. The reason? These are often the people who can't say No! The most effective signs are "Beware of dog" or "Do not disturb, baby sleeping." Of course you do not want to lie, so if you don't have a baby or a dog, your sign can just say, "Do not ring doorbell or knock." If all else fails, disconnect the doorbell or choose not to answer the door.
QUESTION: My blond hair has turned green from the chlorine in my friend's swimming pool. Amber (Dominion City, Man.)
ANSWER: When you combine high levels of copper in pool water, with chlorine bleach you'll leave Oscar the Grouch begging to be friends. Solution? Wash your hair in ketchup or a jar of tomato sauce and bring it back to its original blond. Shampoo and condition as usual.
QUESTION: I use dishwasher detergent in powder form and I have noticed over the past months that my detergent tends to clump. Is there a better way to store the detergent so that the powder stays loose? Thank you, Kelsey (Melita, Man.)
ANSWER: Whether you are storing homemade or store bought dishwasher detergent, you can prevent clumping with this easy solution: Pour powdered detergent into a plastic bucket and close with a tightly fitting lid. This way moisture and humidity will not find its way into your detergent and the powder will stay loose. Stores sell dishwasher detergent in plastic buckets, you may want to purchase one and continually refill it.
QUESTION: I am calling upon your assistance again. I have been fighting moths flying everywhere in my house for the past 6-8 months, trying to zap them every time I get a chance. It annoys me and my family to death and I don't know what to do. It gets into my food, flying over my head and everyone else's. I cannot even have anyone over at my house It is totally embarrassing. I have washed my kitchen cupboards, lined the shelves with newspapers (some one said newspapers keep them away) to no avail. They are there and everywhere, and merrily laying thousands of eggs. I don't even know how they got in my house to begin with.
Someone suggested I fumigate my house but the cost is exorbitant, also it means I have to throw all the food and everything out. Someone suggested using mothballs. But with my grandchild coming and staying with us I am afraid of spreading poison everywhere, plus he might put them in his mouth. I really need your help. Please can you suggest anything I can do to get rid of these little beasts? Please, please help. Thanking you in advance. Geeta, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Pantry moths can be found in rice, pasta, cake mixes, rat or mouse bait, breakfast cereals, children's artwork (containing pasta, corn, etc.), herbs, spices any grain, feed, seed, dried vegetables (decorative or edible) or dried fruit! Vacuum all shelves (throw out vacuum bag) and wash with vinegar and water. Throw out all grains that may have been infected by larvae. This is a waste of food but it beats paying for fumigation. For the next few months when you bring any grain-based products into the house, immediately store them in the freezer. This will kill all eggs or larvae that are already inside. Store your food in airtight containers, which are made of hard plastic, glass or metal (no plastic bags). The best way to determine whether a container is really airtight is to fill it up with water and see if it leaks. Sprinkle bay leaves or Bazooka gum in cupboards to repel moths from invading. Most of the commercial moth control products available are moth poisons, moth traps, and mothballs. You are right; mothballs are not a healthy product to keep in the home especially near food. Sprinkling borax on cupboard shelves is another effective option, but be cautious as borax is poisonous to humans and pets. Worst case scenario, fumigate.
Fabulous Tips of the Week:
-- If you plan to carve your pumpkin two or three days before Halloween, lightly smear petroleum jelly on the cut edges.
-- To lengthen the life of your carved pumpkin, spray with water and wrap in plastic wrap, store in fridge when not in use.
-- Create the smell of Halloween spice. On the bottom of the pumpkin lid sprinkle a half-teaspoon of each of the following: cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin spice. Once the pumpkin is lit, it will create a wonderful seasonal scent.
-- Get creative! Illuminate your jack-o-lantern with a multicolour, changing battery-powered LED bulb.
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.
