QUESTION: I own a beautiful black leather chair that I somehow got a drop of nail polish or superglue on. I am not sure which it is. Do you have a solution in your magic bag that will work on either? Terrie, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Although superglue instantly bonds to surfaces, it has one weakness: acetone. On a variety of surfaces both superglue and nail polish can be removed using an old toothbrush soaked with acetone. Acetone is the key ingredient in many nail polishes and may be purchased on its own at hardware stores.
The bad news is that acetone will discolour fabrics, and dyed leather is a perfect candidate for discolouration. Another option is to place ice on the area and freeze the glue. Chip off glue and lightly sand, being careful not to damage the leather.
Extra Tip: If you're ever working with superglue and want to accelerate the drying time, apply superglue to the seam of whatever you are gluing. Pour baking soda over glue. This makes great filler and results in a slightly rough texture so that the area can be sanded.
QUESTION: How do you keep strawberries from spoiling? Please tell me what I need to do before this year's picking season. Sincerely, Florence (Deleau, MB)
ANSWER: Do not wash berries until ready to use. Using a large baking sheet, wet a tea towel and lay it on the sheet. Spread berries onto the baking sheet so that they do not touch each other. Wet another tea towel and cover the berries before putting the pan inside the fridge. Berries will be beautiful, even after five days.
Extra Tip: You can take this one step further by soaking the strawberries in vinegar and water before laying them onto the baking sheet, that way they are already clean and ready for eating throughout the week.
Feedback from Manitobans who Care:
Dear Reena:
On June 23 a person wrote in saying their salsa is too runny. To overcome that what I do is, after it has boiled for awhile, I ladle off as much liquid as I can. It becomes so that I only need to add one can of tomato paste to the salsa. The liquid that I have taken off, I boil a little longer in a separate pot and use as tomato juice or add to soups. Works wonderfully. Vicky
Dear Reena:
Regarding the column on June 16, Honey is a natural sweetener and often has simple sugars added to it in order to make it sweeter.
I occasionally read your column in the Winnipeg Free Press and I am usually impressed with the excellent advice you offer readers. I was therefore shocked at the misinformation you gave, regarding honey, to the person inquiring about simple sugars.
My family has been involved in honey production for 79 years. No self respecting beekeeper would ever add anything to honey for any reason, especially a sweetener since honey is already sweeter than table sugar in equal units of measurement. Adding, blending or calling another sweetener honey is illegal, as some people have found out with heavy fines and jail time. Consumers should carefully read food labels, including honey containers. Thank you in advance, Melvin (Kleefeld, MB)
Facts About Honey:
Submitted by Melvin (Former Promotions Director for Manitoba Beekeepers Association)
-- Honey is a healthier sweetener than table sugar. Honey contains many nutrients such as thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, nicotinic acid, biotin, folic acid, Vitamin C, iron, copper, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, calcium salts, enzymes, proteins, inhibine (antibiotic activity), growth factors and more.
-- Honey is processed by the bee into a state where the energy of the honey can pass directly into your bloodstream without requiring any work by the body.
-- Recent research shows that honey causes only half as many cavities as table sugar because it melts into a liquid very quickly and does not adhere to teeth.
-- Table sugar contains no nutrients.
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
