Question: I would love to know what to use to remove a bathtub ring. Thanks -— John
Answer: Clean the bathtub on a regular basis. You probably will need to wash out the bathtub weekly or more often, depending on how many people use it. While wearing gloves, sprinkle a dampened green abrasive cloth with either baking soda or washing soda and borax. Wet and scrub until the tub is clean. Rinse and dry with a rag. For tough stains, apply three per cent hydrogen peroxide/baking soda or cream of tartar and three per cent hydrogen peroxide. Put cream of tartar in a bowl and drip in hydrogen peroxide until you have a thick paste. Apply the paste to the stained area and let dry. Scrub away the dried paste and watch the eyesore disappear.
Question: I enjoy a bowl of oat cereal for breakfast and like to sprinkle it with brown sugar. My problem is the sugar is always lumpy and no amount of shaking makes the sugar finer for sprinkling. Thanks — Gordo
Answer: Brown sugar hardens when moisture inside the container evaporates. All you need to do is replenish the moisture with one of these easy solutions. Place a cut-up apple or slice of bread into an airtight container with the sugar; softening will take about a day. Or drape a damp towel over the un-lidded bowl and leave overnight. Or put the sugar into the microwave with a separate bowl of water. Turn the microwave on and check every 30 seconds to observe if the sugar is soft.
A long-term fix is to purchase a piece of food-safe clay — these are available at most grocery stores. Soak the clay in water for a few hours and then store it inside the brown sugar container to keep it moist.
Question: Is there a recommended way to clean hairbrushes? Specifically, to remove the lint that accumulates around the bristles? Thank you — Laurie
Answer: Use a pen or metal nail file to lift the hair from the bristles. Cut the hair using scissors, pick up the hair and toss it. Wet the brush with water and scrub the bristles using shampoo or dish soap and additional warm water. Rinse. Another option, after removing the hair, is to clean the brush in the dishwasher.
Household Hints
I use lipstick to write names and dates on my freezer bags because I have so many lipsticks that I no longer use, and lipstick is food-safe. — Alison
When I have leftover slivers of soap, I cut slits in a sponge and place the soap into the slits. It makes a great loofa. — Justin
You can make the best ribs in a slow cooker if you remove them from the slow cooker 30 minutes before serving and place them onto a baking sheet. Broil until browned. This way, they are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. — Hilda
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.
