QUESTION: First of all, I would like to tell you that your books are great! Secondly, what would you use to clean grease off of wooden cabinets caused by frying foods in the kitchen?
Denise, Winnipeg
ANSWER: There are several options for zapping greasy cupboards. Begin with the easiest and work your way up to more aggressive solutions. Regular cleaning is key! Combine Dawn dish soap and water, use an abrasive cloth to scrub wood along the grain. Or clean cupboards with Murphy's Oil Soap, scrub and rinse. Or use the following Mother Hubbard's Cupboard recipe: Combine 1-2 cups vinegar, 1 cup ammonia (optional), half-cup baking soda and 2 gallons water. Cover hands with rubber gloves and draw a small amount onto a sponge, wipe each cupboard (from top to bottom to prevent streaking). Apply olive oil once a month to protect wood. Apply car wax every six months, let dry and buff. Or clean cupboards with TSP (trisodium phosphate), rinse well. Test all solutions on an inconspicuous area first. Worst-case scenario, lightly sand and then clean with Mother Hubbard's Cupboard recipe. Taken from Household Solutions 2 with Kitchen Secrets.
QUESTION: I have no idea how to keep moths away from my closet; those pesky little things destroy my woollen sweaters. I put cedar everywhere but they still enter "the dining room." Do you have any advice on how to solve this problem?
Kindest regards, Monika, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Get rid of moths using one or a combination of the following: Cloves, dried lavender, rosemary, mint, thyme, cinnamon sticks, eucalyptus, peppercorns, dried lemon peel and cedar (chips, balls, planks or essential oil-cedar lined closets, drawers or trunks). These natural fragrances are delightful to humans but will keep moths away. You can make sachets to stash in drawers and trunks or hang in closets using: pretty cotton fabrics, plain cheesecloth, muslin, linen or clean nylons (knee-highs or cut pantyhose). Next, dry-clean or thoroughly wash items in hot water (temperature above 50 C [120� F] for 20 to 30 minutes) kills all stages of insects. This is the most common and effective method for controlling moths in clothing, blankets and other washable articles. For items that cannot be hot-washed, wrap in plastic and place in the freezer for a day. Mothballs containing the chemicals naphthalene or pardichlorobenzene are a dangerous solution. The balls produce vapours that, in sufficient concentration, will slowly kill insects. However, if the container is not airtight, the chemicals only weakly repel adults and any larvae already on clothes continue to feed. In addition, the balls give off a distinctive and unpleasant smell that can be very difficult to remove even after cleaning. They are poisonous and must be kept away from children and pets. Lastly, change your vacuum bag regularly to ensure you're getting the larvae out of your home.
Extra Tip: Bay leaves are the best grain-moth repellent. Sprinkle bay leaves on shelves, or tape bay leaves inside of canisters or cereal boxes (they won't alter the flavour). Grain moths like warmth and moisture, so store grains in airtight containers and in a cool place. The only other material that works to deter grain moths is Bazooka Joe Bubble Gum!
QUESTION: While we were away from home, a hairball from our elderly cats was spilled on our brown jute rug. Our cat-sitter rubbed the rug clean leaving two noticeable light spots on the rug. Can we treat these spots by brushing on some brown fabric dye? Can you recommend a way to darken these spots? Look forward to hearing from you. Diane (Mitchell, Man.)
ANSWER: All carpet is dyed in the first place, therefore, it is definitely a technique that will work if done correctly, however, it is risky business. Colour-matching is a great challenge and for best results, consider hiring professional carpet-dying services that will help you refurbish your carpet for less than half the cost of replacing the carpet.
If you are determined to fix the carpet yourself, the first step is to find out what kind of textile your carpet is (you said jute), and whether or not your carpet is stain-resistant.
When purchasing carpet dye, consider how much dye mixture is required to cover the carpet you are refurbishing. Coverage must also be sufficient to allow the dye to bond evenly with carpet fibres. Make sure you are buying a carpet dye with a colourfast guarantee. Dyed carpets should not fade when cleaned. Also find out the drying time and setting time. Clean the carpet before beginning and follow all directions listed on the colour-dye kit. Test carpet dye on a swatch of carpet if you have one available, or on an inconspicuous area.
Extra Tip: If the stains are really small, you can try colouring the bleached areas with a brown permanent marker.
QUESTION -- What is your opinion of stainless steel kitchen countertops? Wyn (Amaranth, Man.)
ANSWER: Stainless steel counters are gaining popularity in everyday homes due to their durability, stain- and water-resistance, low maintenance and ease of cleaning. Also a hot plate or pan can be placed directly on the surface without worry of damage. Because it's easy to clean, it's great for preventing bacterial growth. If you have a stainless countertop installed, make sure the surface is at least 18-gauge and has eight to 10 per cent nickel in it. Another advantage is that stainless steel is neutral, which means that you can change your cabinets to almost any other colour or material and the counters will always match. If you plan your kitchen lighting scheme right, the reflective nature of the surface will increase the illumination and make the room sparkle.
However, like most things in life, there are drawbacks. Stainless is not cheap, even though it seems like a bare metal, it requires a lot of work to have it made and installed. Also, cutting directly on the surface will leave scratch marks.
Reena Nerbas is the author of the national bestsellers, Household Solutions 1 with Substitutions, Household Solutions 2 with Kitchen Secrets and "Household Solutions 3 with Green Alternatives available online and in stores across Canada.
Tip of the Week:
Juicy Fruit Room Air Freshener Recipe: Dissolve 1 tsp. baking soda in 2 cups hot water; add 1 tsp. lemon juice. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray each room in the house.
Burn 100 per cent pure beeswax candles with 100 per cent cotton wicks. They are said to purify and clean the air while helping the room smell great.
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming!
Check out my website! www.householdsolutions.org
