QUESTION: Short of handling each piece of stainless and painstakingly scouring each spot, can I clean rust spots off new(ish) stainless cutlery? Edith, Winnipeg
ANSWER: In the world of restaurants, it is very common to toss cutlery into a sink of plain old white vinegar, let soak and polish with a cloth. Or cut a potato in half and sprinkle it with powdered laundry detergent, rub onto rust spots, rinse and dry. Doing this gets rid of water and rust spots. Bar Keepers Friend is another effective option.
QUESTION: Do you have a recipe for household furniture polish? This item has become so expensive to buy. Last summer, I stripped and stained my end and coffee tables and would like to keep them looking new. I would appreciate your solution for making furniture polish. Mary-Lou, Winnipeg
ANSWER: The world's easiest furniture polish is to use olive oil by itself. Olive oil is more effective than mineral, baby or cooking oil because it does not attract dirt, dust and grime. It actually seeps into whatever you are cleaning regardless of whether your goal is to polish stainless steel appliances or wood (you only need a small amount). For extra shine on wood, simmer water in a double boiler. Into the top pot place a glass container with 2 tbsp. grated beeswax. Melt beeswax. Add 6 tbsp. olive oil and stir very well. Let set. Use a rag to polish and shine furniture.
QUESTION: I have an older stainless steel sink and would like to know how to clean it so it looks new again. Donna, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Thoroughly clean the sink using an abrasive pad, washing soda, dish soap and water. Wipe the inside with vinegar and dry. Polish with olive oil to leave your sink looking like new!
QUESTION: We recently bought a new vehicle -- new to us -- but it was used. There were a few items that needed some TLC, one being the seatbelts. How does one clean seatbelts? Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated, Thank you. Marco, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Begin by pulling the seatbelt out as far as it will go, use a clothespin to hold the seatbelt in place. Position a cutting board under the seatbelt and scrub the belt with degreaser or shampoo and water or heavy duty laundry detergent and water. Rinse with water and towel dry. Another option is to steam-clean the belt. Test everything on an inconspicuous area before use.
QUESTION: My mother is 82 and lives on her own. Can you please offer me some suggestions for organizing her medicine to make it easier for her? Mavis (St. Adolphe)
ANSWER: There are endless variations of containers available in stores compartmentalizing medicine for each day of the week or each hour of the day. To organize medicine in a cabinet, purchase plastic baskets and label baskets with medical categories on each. Sort vitamins from medications so products are not accidently mixed together. Medicine may also be kept on a small turntable, in a fishing tackle box, or categorize into sealable plastic bags. For medicine that needs to be kept out of reach, hang sealable bags using pant hangers in a closet. Keep track of expired medicine and toss when out of date. Medicine should be kept out of reach of children. Secure a paper to the inside wall of the medicine cabinet with a list of necessary products and expiry dates, replenish medicine as necessary.
Hints for the Little Things
-- Store bobby pins in a Tic Tac dispenser. Submitted By: Louise
-- Too much celery in your fridge? It is possible to freeze celery for use in soups and stews. Wash, cut and freeze. Submitted By: Anita
-- Next time you get gum stuck in your hair, smooth it out using mayonnaise. Wash your hair with shampoo to remove grease. Submitted By: Armand
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Missed a column? Can't remember a solution? Need a speaker for an upcoming event? Check out my website Reena.ca.
