QUESTION: My son had an old car that left grease stains on our cement carport and I have tried everything to clean it. Do you have any suggestions? Stella (Giroux, Man.)
ANSWER: You can purchase products formulated for cleaning concrete. The following are other options but remember to always wear eye and skin protection when using chemicals.
Option 1: Bleach. Dilute as the directions indicate for cleaning. Let the solution sit on the stained area for several minutes, then scrub and rinse.
Option 2: T.S.P. Dilute one cup in one gallon of hot water. Pour it on the area and let it sit for 15 minutes. Scrub with a stiff brush. Rinse off with hose and repeat if needed.
Option 3: Muriatic acid. It's not a stain remover or cleaner. The acid actually etches away the concrete itself, and sometimes the stain as well. You will need to scrub and rinse this chemical also. Follow the directions carefully. Use muriatic acid only if you seal the driveway with masonry sealer afterwards.
Remember that you will be altering the level of the surface if you remove a lot of material. If you use a pressure washer, make sure you have the right nozzle. A jet that is too powerful can damage concrete. Use a nylon scrub brush.
QUESTION: What is the best way to store broccoli? Menno, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Refrigerate fresh broccoli in a plastic bag, use within three days of purchase since the vitamin content decreases the longer it is stored. Or, stand broccoli in a jar with water to keep it fresh longer. Kitchen secret: Take the rubber band off vegetables before storing; they will last twice as long.
Fabulous feedback from Manitobans:
-- Cotton sheets (especially high- thread count Egyptian, Sateen etc.) come out of my dryer very creased. By accident, I discovered that if I make the bed with damp filled sheet, and leave open to dry, the creases disappear. Then I can put the damp top sheet over the dry fitted sheet and tuck the sides in tightly (like in hotels). Putting the damp pillowcases on the pillows and hanging them from a pant hanger with strong clips until dry works great, too.
-- Fresh banana peels on the dirt by plants (house, garden and flowerbed) repel bugs such as aphids, ants and others. Thin strips of peel can be hung on branches (100-per-cent biodegradable).
-- To relieve the pain of canker sores, place a pinch of salt in mouth and then add one teaspoon to water. Gargle and spit.
-- To soothe sore throats, carefully heat half a cup of milk and four teaspoons of honey until honey is melted. Mix in another half cup of milk and warm until it's as hot as you can drink it. Drink and enjoy.
Submitted by Joanna (Steinbach):
-- To eliminate burnt-food oven odours, sprinkle cinnamon in a baking pan. Place the pan in the oven while it's still warm but no longer hot. Submitted by Wolf, 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.
