QUESTION: I have a tip and a question. To keep my black clothes looking new and fresh, about every six months or so I put a package of black fabric dye (Rit or Tintex) in with all my black loads. It works like a charm and my black clothes always look new.
My question is: Since Walmart has stopped selling fabric dye; I can no longer find it. Grocery stores don't sell it and neither do drug stores. Have you any idea who sells it in Winnipeg? Thanks for your help and all your tips. Sincerely, Kate, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Thank-you for the great tip Kate! Fabric dye is typically available at Michaels craft stores and Sobeys.
QUESTION: Recently a drop of Crazy Glue landed on my laminated flooring and I tried to clean it with a face tissue. I now have a white mark of tissue and glue. I would appreciate your advice on removing this mark. Thanks, Al (Gimli, MB)
ANSWER: This is one of those cases where WD-40 comes in handy. Test on an inconspicuous area first, then spray the area and leave for 10 mins. Scrub with an abrasive (not steel wool) cloth. After glue is gone, wipe area with dish soap and water. Some people use acetone to remove Super Glue but chances are good the laminate will discolour.
QUESTION: I've always enjoyed your very helpful hints but have never written to you about a problem. Today I wanted to use my pizza stones for the pizza dough I made and when I pulled them out of my oven drawer, I discovered they had colourful spots of mould embedded in them. I guess the last time I used them they got put away damp.
I washed them with dish soap then used baking soda and vinegar. This removed the superficial mould but it appears the colourful red mould and some green have stained the stones. They are porous and I don't know if they can be rescued and safe to use. Is there anything I could do to get the remaining mould stains out of the stones? Teri, Winnipeg
ANSWER: As the saying goes, if in doubt throw it out. However, if you were raised in the frugal world that I was raised in (thanks mom) you may wish to hold onto it. Bake the stone in an oven at 425 degrees for 15 mins. Cool. Wipe the stone with 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide and salt, rinse with water. Dish soap is not recommended on stoneware as it is porous and will seep into the stone.
QUESTION: My new kitchen chairs have very small vinyl-tipped feet -- smaller than a dime. I have not found a way to make the felt pads I usually use stay on. I have used them: as they are, self-adhesive pads and I have used Gorilla Glue but nothing will remain on the feet of the chairs. Any suggestions? Joan, Winnipeg.
ANSWER: Forget the glue. The challenge of the glue not holding is a result of glue being absorbed into the felt pads; therefore strength of glue won't make a difference. Either purchase a plastic or wooden leg protector and nail kit (the nail is hammered directly into the chair foot). Or purchase properly fitted rubber chair protectors that slide onto chair feet.
Fabulous suggestions from Manitobans:
-- When trying to rid a fridge or freezer of a bad smell, I've found nothing works better than kitty litter. My husband forgot minnows in our propane fridge and three weeks later it was pretty rank. I used a pan with a flat surface to put the litter on and changed it once a week until there was no more smell, it took the odour away and it never returned. Ms. C, Winnipeg
-- When needing to make gravy, I use mushroom or chicken undiluted soup. I pour the soup into the pan with the drippings. This makes instant gravy with no lumps! Ms. C., Winnipeg
-- To dry sponges of all kinds, including sponge paint rollers, wrap them in a dishrag (like a jellyroll) and wring out as hard as you can. They will come out almost dry with no damage. This works with exfoliating bath gloves too. Joan, Winnipeg
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.
