QUESTION -- I read your column faithfully in the Winnipeg Free Press and have purchased both your books. Unfortunately, I packed them up in readiness to move. I remember reading recently about cleaning a self-clean oven without damaging the finish or turning it on -- it involved vinegar. Could you please let me know how I should do that as I want to try the method? Thank you, Carole (Winnipeg)
ANSWER -- Begin by checking with the manufacturer's recommendation for oven cleaning. The following directions are to be used on manual ovens. I tossed my oven cleaner out a long time ago and in its place I bought vinegar and baking soda. Sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda onto the interior oven floor, then pour a generous amount of white vinegar. Leave for 10 minutes and wipe with a green abrasive pad. Using the solution on the oven floor wipe the walls until clean. Scrub and rinse with water. You will be amazed!
QUESTION -- You helped me in the past with a homemade eyeglass cleaner so I thought you might be able to help me with getting a rust stain out of carpet. I had a freezer sitting on carpet and when I moved the freezer I noticed that it left some rust stains on the carpet. Do you have any tips on how to get this out? The carpet is a lighter brown/grey colour. Thanks, Sharon (Landmark, Man.)
ANSWER -- Begin by combining one-quarter teaspoon dish soap and one cup of water into a measuring cup, then blot the area. Rinse and leave to air dry. Another option is to pour lemon juice mixed with cream of tartar onto the area, then let sit for a few hours. Blot with a white damp cloth. Or pour a generous amount of white vinegar onto the area and blot. If the stain remains, check out the Fantastic Carpet Stain Remover recipe in Household Solutions 1 with Substitutions. The recipe works wonderfully on pet stains, rust, vomit, tea, coffee and wine (test all solutions on an inconspicuous area first). Another option is to purchase a rust remover specifically designed for carpets at your local hardware store.
QUESTION -- In the Winnipeg Free Press last week, you mentioned mixing vinegar and tea tree oil to remove mould from the bathtub. Where can I buy tea tree oil? Lois (Winnipeg)
ANSWER -- Tea tree oil can be purchased at most grocery stores as well as health food stores in Winnipeg. It has many uses as it is a disinfectant, deodorizer, and plant spray. Into a spray bottle combine eight drops of tea tree oil and 32 ounces of water, add 16 drops of three per cent hydrogen peroxide. Mix well. Tea tree oil is safe for counters and can be used as an all-purpose cleaner: add 10-15 drops of tea tree oil to two tablespoons of vinegar and one teaspoon of borax. Put solution in a 12-ounce spray bottle, then fill bottle with water. Shake until borax dissolves. Tea tree is also great for killing lice as well as athlete's foot.
Reena Nerbas is the author of the national bestsellers, Household Solutions 1 with Substitutions, and Household Solutions 2 with Kitchen Secrets.
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Check out my website: www.householdsolutions.org
Facing flooding?
Important tips for flood victims:
Check to see if all surface and subsurface drains are functioning. Use a hose to see if roof and gutter water is being directed away from the foundation wall. Observe the path of all surface drainage around the house during prolonged or heavy rainfall. Watch for ponding near the walls. Check to see if the foundation drain is operating by looking for evidence of seepage from the ends.
Some problems may be solved simply by repairing an obvious gutter or downspout leak, while other problems may have causes that are difficult to identify and very expensive to fix. Severe crawl space water problems may cost several thousand dollars to remedy. Always use a competent professional to help you find and eliminate the source of your problem. Don't settle on quick and cheap fixes that merely deal with the symptoms of the problems.If your basement begins to flood, call 311. For more information visit the City of Winnipeg's website: www.winnipeg.ca
