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Renovation & Design
Acetone will help thick nail polish flow better
Question: I have a clear nail polish with colour specks in it that I like to put over regular colour nail polish to sparkle it up, but it has become quite thick. Is there any way that I can thin it down to make it easier to apply? Thank you! Bertha
Answer: Add a drop or two of acetone. This will thin the nail polish and make it easier to apply. If it is still too thick, add another drop.
Question: I dropped an open bottle of red nail polish on my carpet. Is there any hope of removing the nail polish? Anonymous
Answer: Success depends on the textile, the colour of the carpet and polish, and the timing of the cleaning. Manmade textile stains have a greater chance of defeat because you can really soak the area. Work to remove the stain, as soon as possible. Using a clean wet cloth, dab the stain with water and dish soap, until the cloth no longer picks up color. Next dab the area with acetone on a cloth (test on an inconspicuous area first). If you have a steam cleaner, use the machine to clean the area. Repeat with acetone until the stain is gone.
Question: I have dozens of souvenir spoons, all very tarnished. Are they salvageable? If so, help! Thanks, Emily
Answer: The following are the three most popular methods for cleaning souvenir spoons. One: smear with toothpaste and gently brush with a soft, dampened toothbrush. Rinse with water and buff dry. Two: soak the spoons in a mixture of one tablespoon baking soda and 1/2 cup white vinegar. Leave for one hour, rinse with water and buff to dry. Three: place crumpled aluminum foil in a baking pan. Place the spoons onto the foil. Pour hot water into the pan and add one tbsp. salt. Soak silver for five minutes and polish.
Feedback from caring contributors
Re: Coffee grounds in the garden
I’m a longtime fan of your column. However, I wanted to give you a heads up. A garden expert that I recently listened to said that the coffee grounds in the garden myth is his absolute worst pet peeve — apparently the only way coffee is useful in the garden is if you put the fresh beans into the soil! Of course, it’s unlikely that anyone will do this — it’s cheaper to use good fertilizer. Regards, Linda
Re: Cleaning the toilet tank
I drain my tank and place a product called, ‘Rust Out’ in the tank, then refill. After a period, I scrub the walls and flush away everything. Seems to work well. — Bob
The pies have it!
When baking a fruit pie, add more fruit than the recipe calls for. Fruit tends to sink while baking, so to add the wow factor to your pie, don’t be stingy with the fruit. — Emerald
Fruit juices tend to drip, especially if you add extra fruit. Place a baking sheet under your pie, before baking, to ensure a clean oven. — Emerald
Make sure that your crust is cold before it goes into the oven. This will help guarantee a flaky crust. Chill the crust in the fridge, before baking. Chill the dough before rolling it, chill it again once the crust is filled. —Lisa
Bake pies on the lowest rack in the oven to prevent a soggy crust. If the edges start to darken, too fast, lay foil over the edges. — 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.
Have a great suggestion or tip? Please send an email. Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca.
info@reena.ca
Renovation & Design
Acetone will help thick nail polish flow better
Question: I have a clear nail polish with colour specks in it that I like to put over regular colour nail polish to sparkle it up, but it has become quite thick. Is there any way that I can thin it down to make it easier to apply? Thank you! Bertha
Answer: Add a drop or two of acetone. This will thin the nail polish and make it easier to apply. If it is still too thick, add another drop.
Question: I dropped an open bottle of red nail polish on my carpet. Is there any hope of removing the nail polish? Anonymous
Answer: Success depends on the textile, the colour of the carpet and polish, and the timing of the cleaning. Manmade textile stains have a greater chance of defeat because you can really soak the area. Work to remove the stain, as soon as possible. Using a clean wet cloth, dab the stain with water and dish soap, until the cloth no longer picks up color. Next dab the area with acetone on a cloth (test on an inconspicuous area first). If you have a steam cleaner, use the machine to clean the area. Repeat with acetone until the stain is gone.
Question: I have dozens of souvenir spoons, all very tarnished. Are they salvageable? If so, help! Thanks, Emily
Answer: The following are the three most popular methods for cleaning souvenir spoons. One: smear with toothpaste and gently brush with a soft, dampened toothbrush. Rinse with water and buff dry. Two: soak the spoons in a mixture of one tablespoon baking soda and 1/2 cup white vinegar. Leave for one hour, rinse with water and buff to dry. Three: place crumpled aluminum foil in a baking pan. Place the spoons onto the foil. Pour hot water into the pan and add one tbsp. salt. Soak silver for five minutes and polish.
Feedback from caring contributors
Re: Coffee grounds in the garden
I’m a longtime fan of your column. However, I wanted to give you a heads up. A garden expert that I recently listened to said that the coffee grounds in the garden myth is his absolute worst pet peeve — apparently the only way coffee is useful in the garden is if you put the fresh beans into the soil! Of course, it’s unlikely that anyone will do this — it’s cheaper to use good fertilizer. Regards, Linda
Re: Cleaning the toilet tank
I drain my tank and place a product called, ‘Rust Out’ in the tank, then refill. After a period, I scrub the walls and flush away everything. Seems to work well. — Bob
The pies have it!
When baking a fruit pie, add more fruit than the recipe calls for. Fruit tends to sink while baking, so to add the wow factor to your pie, don’t be stingy with the fruit. — Emerald
Fruit juices tend to drip, especially if you add extra fruit. Place a baking sheet under your pie, before baking, to ensure a clean oven. — Emerald
Make sure that your crust is cold before it goes into the oven. This will help guarantee a flaky crust. Chill the crust in the fridge, before baking. Chill the dough before rolling it, chill it again once the crust is filled. —Lisa
Bake pies on the lowest rack in the oven to prevent a soggy crust. If the edges start to darken, too fast, lay foil over the edges. — 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.
Have a great suggestion or tip? Please send an email. Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca.
info@reena.ca
