QUESTION: Please tell me how to remove the heat scorch left on the top edge of my oven door left after heat-cleaning the oven. I’ve tried baking soda, very light scrubbing with S.O.S pads, bleach and more with no results.
— Marion
Answer: Sorry to say that these marks are often permanent. Many people have tried Bon Ami, Bar Keepers Friend, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, oven cleaner and Windex, but nothing budged those pesky heat marks. Your best bet is to apply dish soap with a sprinkling of baking soda on top. Leave for 15 minutes and scrub with a green scrubby pad. Rinse with water.
Question: How do I keep white bras and other white lingerie from looking dingy after washing them numerous times?
— Angie
Answer: The biggest no-no is putting delicate fabrics in the dryer. Doing this misshapes textiles and ruins colour. Here are some simple tips that will keep undergarments looking new. For cotton delicates that you want to wash in the machine, purchase a mesh, zippered washing bag. Close clasps and Velcro and wash garments using cold water. Washable silk and other fine fabrics require hand washing. Pour one teaspoon of baby shampoo or detergent for delicate clothing into a bucket with warm water. Swish in water, remove and gently squeeze. Rinse with plain water and lay flat to dry.
Question: I have a question regarding the glass roof of my sunroom. This glass is tinted, but not deeply tinted. A deciduous tree overhangs the roof and this is good as it gives more shade and deflects more heat. There is now some tree/leaf "stuff" on the glass and I am asking what I can use to get the glass as good as possible again. Also, what works well on cleaning windows (other than this sunroom roof)?
— Adelon
Answer: Here are some ideas that you can use on both your windows and sunroom glass roof. Purchase a good-quality squeegee, a wet mop and a window scraper. Amazing window-cleaner recipe: in a gallon-size container mix: one cup rubbing alcohol and one teaspoon cheap shampoo. Fill to the top with water. Spray and scrub with a wet window mop. Use a scraper to remove any dried-on bugs and leaves. Avoid cleaning windows when the sun shines directly on them — the sun will dry the windows too fast, which will result in streaks. Clean the water off the glass with a squeegee. Wipe the edges of the squeegee after removing water. Dry windows with either a quality microfibre cloth or old newspaper; crumple it up and rub the windows until they’re dry. For extra shine, put cornstarch in a bucket with water. Wipe windows and dry with a microfibre cloth or newspaper.
Don’t Get Hosed
I love gardening, but hate taking out and putting my garden hose back onto the hook every few days. I bought a big plastic storage bin and cut a hole on the side. Now, I store the hose inside the bin and never move the bin. When I need to water my garden, I just hook up the hose to the faucet. I no longer drag my hose over plants and don’t need to worry about damaging them.
— Pat
I keep my garden hose inside a plastic wheelbarrow. Makes clean-up easy and I don’t ever have to carry the hose, I can just wheel it wherever I want to go.
— Ernie
Feedback from Friendly Manitoban
Hi Reena,
In a recent letter, you responded to a person asking about Sunlight laundry soap for cleaning cords for cellular shades. The Sunlight Pure Soap bar is the single-most-effective stain remover I have ever come across. There is a reason why it has withstood the test of time and has been trusted for more than 100 years. I once had trouble finding it and panicked.
— Lisa
Note: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first.
Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca. Ask a question or share a tip at reena.ca.
