QUESTION: Next week is the kickoff to my spring-cleaning routine. I would like to vacuum under the fridge without having to move it. Any ideas as to what I can use to get under there?
— Jasmine
Answer: Slip an empty paper towel roll inside the end of the vacuum nozzle (make sure that the roll is tight and can’t be sucked into the vacuum). Flatten the paper towel roll end and push it underneath the fridge.
Question: The bronze plaque on a cremation burial site has faded to dull. Is there any liquid solution I can apply with a brush, if necessary, to bring it to at least close to original?
— Manfred
Answer: Water, dust, pollution and weather are hard on bronze, and it is true that family and friends are often the people responsible to care for memorial plaques.
If the plaque is left over time, only a professional restorer will successfully bring it back to its previous condition. To clean bronze plaques, use a soft scrub brush, water and Ivory dish soap.
Clean bronze with soapy water; rinse with distilled water and dry completely. Brush on a thin coating of paste wax or purchase wax specifically designed to protect bronze from UV exposure. Buff with a soft cloth, being careful not to apply wax to surrounding areas.
Clean the plaque regularly and reapply wax if bronze begins to look dull.
If excessive wax builds up over time, use petroleum solvents and soft rags to strip wax (test everything on a small inconspicuous area before using any products on the plaque).
Cookie nonster tips
I like to reduce the amount of flour in most cookie recipes by one-quarter cup to make the tender cookies that do not dry out even after several days.
— Tyran
I make icing with confectioners’ sugar and milk. I make it fairly thin, as I "paint" the icing onto the cookies with a pastry brush. Thin enough to spread easily, but not so thin that it just makes your cookies wet and runny.
— John
Use parchment paper on baking sheets to eliminate the need for greasing sheets. This tip helps promote even browning and easy cleanup.
— Doug
I do not own cooling racks and what I found works to cool freshly baked cookies without sogginess is to line the counter with wax paper. Sprinkle sugar onto the paper before cooling the cookies; my cookies are never soggy!
— Elma
As a longtime baker, I always cut the required eggs in half for cookie recipes.
Working with drier dough yields a puffier, lighter and more delicious cookie. I also make the dough two days ahead of time and store it in the fridge; this brings out the flavour of the cookies.
— Chef White
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.
