QUESTION: This is a letter regarding one of your previous household solutions which was to add half a cup of white vinegar to wash loads. Would the vinegar not kill the soap? I tried it, and the wash turned out fine, but I wonder what happens to the soap. I remember advice from years ago to add vinegar to the rinse in hair following shampoo as a way of getting rid of any soap residue. Love your column. Ethel, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Vinegar, vinegar, vinegar how shall I count the ways? Vinegar not only kills bacteria, it also helps rinse detergent and soap residues out of fabrics. Vinegar has a very long history of use as an antibacterial agent; in fact vinegar is powerful and the reason why pickling is the process of using vinegar to preserve food by preventing bacterial growth.
"Men are like wine, some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age." -- Pope John XXIII (Hey was that a put down to vinegar?)
QUESTION: With the ground being so saturated this year moisture has shown up on my cement basement floor. There is a dry fuzzy residue in some areas. In a few other areas there is something like a black mould. I have scrubbed with a wire brush and vinegar water. It seems to have gotten rid of the black mould but I'm still vacuuming up the fuzzy's every couple of days. Can I seal the floor to keep moisture out with a latex paint sealer? I am getting so frustrated and expecting lots of company for Christmas holidays, we have one bedroom downstairs with two beds, and I have removed everything from the bedroom except a table and one bed on rollers. I have picked up many excellent hints from your books. Louise, Winnipeg
ANSWER: The water has caused the cement to form what is known as efflorescence. You may want to have an expert take a look at the area. Or tackle the challenge on your own. Begin by washing the floor with T.S.P. Rinse Well. Wash the concrete with muriatic acid five parts water to one part acid (follow safety instructions because this stuff is dangerous). Rinse and allow floor to dry. Apply two coats of a solvent-based concrete water sealer. The sealer should take care of the problem; consult an expert at your favourite home improvement store for a great water sealer product.
QUESTION: I enjoy your column in the Winnipeg Free Press and would like to know if you can help me. I have several stuffed animals from childhood which I am fond of. There are two with white "fur" and they have become dingy over time. There is also a handmade embroidered unicorn made out of heavy white cotton cloth. I vacuum and brush the darker coloured animals but would like to know how I can clean and freshen up the "fur" so it is white again. Perhaps you can advise me about how this can be done. Yours truly, Sharon, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Vacuuming teddy bears is the least risky way to clean them. However, wiping with a damp white cloth is one of the simplest and most effective ways to clean your teddy bears. For stubborn dirt, grime and odours you will have to resort to a stronger cleaning technique. Check the care label on your bear. To dry your teddy bear, never use the machine dryer. A better way to dry the teddy bear is with a hair dryer.
If your teddy bear is an antique, avoid washing or cleaning the bear yourself. There are special establishments who specialize in restoring teddy bears. Another option is to place your teddy bears in a garbage bag with a half cup of baking soda. Shake to freshen. This will remove dust and stale odours but it will not remove stains. To remove stains, use the wet cloth technique stated above.
Feedback from Caring Manitoban:
Dear Reena,
Further to the writer who was wanting solutions regarding her cat who has started to make messes around the house: You're so right that she totally needs to take the cat to the vet. At 15, there could be a medical or physical reason for the problem. It may be something that can be easily addressed for example a urinary tract infection. Or it could be something more serious -- still potentially treatable but better that she know in case her cat is sick and uncomfortable. That can't be ignored. I know all too well how scary it is to have to take an animal in and fear bad news. But it's better to know so you don't live with the regret of having been able to do something earlier.
But if it's not about that, it could just be that this cat has decided it's time for a 'litter box change'. Cats are very finicky about their litter box. It's "theirs" and it becomes very personal. It may be that just a different type of litter box [or litter] is needed -- lower or higher or bigger, something like that. It may be that the cat needs to be given a choice and a second litter box should be made available in a different location. Or it may be that the placement of the current box is 'inconvenient' and just needs to be moved as mobility becomes an increasing issue with all of us who age. Just my two cents. Nadine, Winnipeg
Tea Time Trivia:
-- To make great tea: Start with fresh cold water and bring it to a full boil. When making black tea, steep immediately for 3-5 minutes. If you are making green or white tea, let the water cool down for a few minutes before pouring it over the tea leaves and steep two to three minutes.
-- Did you know? All tea has antioxidants; but the heat of processing destroys the antioxidants, so the more processed the tea is, the less the concentration of antioxidants. The greatest amount of antioxidants is found in white tea, followed by green, oolong and black.
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., R0A 0C0.
