QUESTION: I enjoy your weekly column in the Winnipeg Free Press and always look forward to seeing the tips for the week. My question is regarding how to clean a flat-screen computer monitor. Our three-year-old daughter was recently sitting at the computer and when she opened the lid of her cup, chocolate milk sprayed the monitor. Now I am left with a streak of chocolate milk on the monitor that I don't know how to get rid of. Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Cathie, Winnipeg
ANSWER: In my experience good 'ol rubbing alcohol works well at cleaning computer and LCD screens. Test on a small inconspicuous area first but I have found this solution to be amazing. For regular dusting use a soft microfibre cloth. Each fibre of a good quality microfibre cloth is 100 times finer than human hair and is the best at picking up dust particles. Never found microfibre to scratch surfaces but use with gentle caution.
QUESTION: I have leather furniture in black and wine colours. I would like to find something to cover scratches made by my cat. Hope you can help. Elma, Winnipeg
ANSWER: For small slightly damaged surfaces use a matching colour non-permanent marker, wax stick or my personal favourite; shoe polish. Dab and blend until the scratch is no longer noticeable. For large obvious scratches, begin by applying leather cleaner conditioner (available at most shoe stores). Purchase a dye and repair kit to fix the area.
Extra Tip: To freshen the smell of leather upholstery, clean with a small amount of tea tree oil on a damp cloth, or baking soda on a damp cloth (always test first). Taken from: Household Solutions 1 with Substitutions
QUESTION: I look forward to Saturday's paper because of your useful tips. My problem happens when I am beating icing sugar with my electric mixer and spatula (to make icing). When I am finished mixing, I seem to be left with icing sugar pieces the size of a pin head. This is noticeable when the cake is iced. Please help. Evelyn, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Icing sugar is granulated sugar that has been beaten, crushed and ground into a fine powder. Because it tends to form clumps, confectioners' sugar (icing sugar) is augmented with about three per cent cornstarch to keep it loose and flowing. But sometimes cornstarch is not enough to keep the sugar loose as a goose. Since you are finding clumps in your icing sugar, you will benefit from the added step of sifting your icing sugar, this is especially necessary on humid days. The other option is to purchase or borrow a mixer that mixes ingredients finely.
QUESTION: I love to read your column. You seem to have solutions for everything! My problem is surely one that you have addressed many times, but it is new for me. I love doing laundry, and especially love nice fresh-smelling towels. Unfortunately, I have a problem lately with just that. At the end of June, my old washer quit and we bought a new front load set. I am enjoying the front load for everything... except my towels! Since I have used the front-loading machine, my towels have a mildew smell. They seem fine when they come out of the dryer, but it is instantly noticeable as soon as they get wet.
I have tried a number of things over the summer to remedy this problem. I started to use Downy during the cycle... didn't work. I made certain I was using hot water... no change. I started to add a "water plus" to the towel loads... also didn't help. I looked in three stores for "So Clean" which you have mentioned in you columns, but could not find it, and I was concerned about how to use it in HE front-load washing machines. I have not tried vinegar (not sure where to put it in the front-load) or bleach (all my towels are coloured, though the few that I could bleach are looking dingy).
I have been washing my family's clothes and towels for 21 years, and this is driving me crazy! I would be so grateful if you could offer me some advice on this matter. Thanks so much! Michelle, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Most low-water-consumption washing machines have this problem. Manufacturers recommend the doors be left open to help dry the interiors and door seals to reduce bacterial growth. They also recommend an occasional wash cycle with chlorine bleach with the washer empty to kill any growth. Instead I use vinegar, add two cups of white distilled vinegar into your wash dispenser along with the detergent. Studies have confirmed that regular five-per-cent acidity white vinegar kills 99 per cent of bacteria, 82 per cent of mould, and 80 per cent of germs (viruses).
Make sure that you do not overload your washer. Since front-end machines only use a small amount of water you want to make sure that all fabrics have enough room to move and get a full soaking of water. The clothes must tumble to get clean and can't if the machine is too full. Liquid fabric softener residue may also provide a medium for bacteria; if you use vinegar you should not need liquid fabric softener.
Fabulous Tip of the Week:
Here is another way to use up soap slivers. For years I have been using the little mesh bags that the garlic heads come in from the grocery store. Snip off the tag, tie a knot in the end, insert the soap slivers, knot the other end and scrub. You will find that you can hardly wait for the big bar users to wear down their soap so you can add it to your cache. Yours truly, Lorna, Kenora
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.
