Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
Vegetable oil removes grease from cast iron pans
Question: Do you have a solution on how to remove grease that seems to be baked onto the bottom of my old cast iron frying pan? I have tried some commercial cleaners, but they didn't work. Maybe you have a remedy that will work. You have such interesting hints in your articles, I try not to miss any of them, but I haven't been able to find anything pertaining to this problem. Thank-you so much, Carol, Winnipeg
Answer: Begin by washing the pan with dish soap and water, next take a little vegetable oil on a paper towel and wipe around the inside and outside. Put the pan in the oven on about 225 for a few hours. Enjoy your pans and do not worry, even though they may not look clean, they are clean. If you are not happy with the appearance, consider trying oven cleaner on your pans (make sure to use in a ventilated area).
Question: This summer our dog has been very smelly. He is a beautiful long-haired golden retriever, 2.5-years-old. He really enjoys the outdoors, walking, swimming, running, fetching. He is very friendly and into everything. We have bathed him numerous times throughout the summer, using dog shampoos, but still he smells. Is there a product or solution you would recommend, to eliminate this awful odor? We use the following shampoo brands: WAHL and Hartz. Sincerely, Ryan, Sanford
Answer: It is obvious by your attention to detail you are doing your very best to care for your dog. It is important to note like humans; body smell can permeate from our insides not necessarily from the outside. People who eat lots of garlic for example eventually begin to smell like garlic. Since shampoos aren't remedying the smell you may need to consider the next step. With that said, it sounds as though your golden retriever needs a trip to the vet to investigate what is going on inside his body and to determine the cause of the odor. His odor may be linked to his diet or a medical condition and will be worth checking out.
Question: I need your help. I have yellow spots on my linoleum in our bathroom. It is caused from using lemon scented Mr. Clean. I have tried everything to remove the stains but nothing works. I can't afford new lino. Please tell me how to remove these stains. Thank- you. Jackie, Winnipeg
Answer: Unfortunately the yellow stains may be permanent. With so many vinyl and linoleum products on the market, it seems what works on one does not necessarily work on another. If your floor is more than 50 years old it is most likely linoleum, in this case the linseed that makes up linoleum has discolored. In order to bring back the color the floor would need to be stripped and refinished. Doing this may or may not remove yellowing.
Or perhaps, the floor is actually vinyl. Many people have found pouring three per cent hydrogen peroxide onto the floor every day for three days is helpful. Other people have had great success by combining one quarter cup OxiClean with one gallon hot water and pouring the solution onto the area. Another solution is bleach but most experience this application removes the floors finish and shine. Lastly, mineral spirits is another treatment people have told me worked for them.
Question: My neighbor brought me eggplants from her garden. How do I prepare them? Should I cook them? Colton, Brandon
Answer: Yes, you definitely need to cook them. Here is one idea for preparing eggplant: Peel the skin off and slice the eggplant into one quarter inch pieces. Dip the pieces into beaten eggs and then coat them with breadcrumbs. Fry the pieces in vegetable oil until golden brown on both sides. Dab off the excess oil. Lay the slices in a pan and cover with spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 mins. Another option is to put the fried eggplant inside sandwiches or add pieces to soups or stews.
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.
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Need a Presenter on the topic: Effective Speaking or The Power of Words? Check out: Reena.ca
Renovation & Design
Choice of building materials should reflect humidity conditions
Question: I enjoyed an article you wrote about dealing with moisture issues in a cottage crawl space. My question is from a different angle. I'm looking to build a "baby boomer" cottage, one level, and have been reading on the type of foundation and building materials to use. The area is on the ocean, Bay of Fundy, N.S.. The cottage would initially be seasonal. Is it better to run utilities during the winter, instead of draining the pipes? What is your experience on this? My concern is it being too weather tight and unable to breathe if it is closed up. I'm also looking at whether it should be stick built versus using structural insulated panels. Do you have any advice for the foundation or any other materials that would work?
Thanks, Karen D.
Answer:
Choosing to build a traditional summer cottage may not be the option it was several decades ago. Because of stricter adherence to building codes, this may not be possible, depending on local authorities. Deciding on specific building materials is always a challenge when building new, but exploring local requirements and experience from local building professionals will be a must, to truly know the best options.
Despite your desire to plan your baby boomer ocean-side home for mainly summer use, it will still likely have to be built for year-round use. For many decades, small communities and other areas throughout Canada have allowed summer use cottages, cabins, or camps to be built without taking harsh winter habitation into consideration.
Thousands of these older summer residences still exist, but are slowly disappearing. Many areas in most provinces are requiring all newly built structures to adhere to the minimum requirements of the National Building Code (NBC). This includes thermal windows, proper insulation and air/vapour barriers, and a functional heating system. Because of this, some material choices may be limited to traditional materials such as OSB or plywood sheathing for the roof and wall sheathing and batt insulation with polyethylene for the walls. More modern blown-in foam insulation may be used, but will be much more costly.
My experience with building in a very humid environment is limited to numerous lakes in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario which, other than the saltwater, should have conditions similar to your location. I have only visited the Bay of Fundy area a couple of times, but have stayed in properties with similar ocean-front locations on those occasions. The summer/fall climate does remind me of many lakes in this area, but I'm sure winters are somewhat warmer and much wetter than on the prairies. For this reason, the choice of building materials should certainly reflect the high humidity conditions.
Traditionally, in many waterfront locations, wood-clad structures were chosen for many reasons. While they required regular painting and maintenance, they performed well for decades.
The natural properties of many types of softwoods allow them to readily absorb moisture, but also release it and dry quickly, preventing damage. Woods like cedar and Douglas fir, which have natural resistance to rot, have always been a good choice for seasonal homes. Unfortunately, the availability and cost of these materials can be limiting and you may want to look at manufactured products for some of these components. Siding and exterior trim, which can take the brunt of the harsh weather conditions, should be especially durable. Cement composition siding, or less-costly vinyl siding, will be very weather-resistant choices to combat the humid conditions. They both are also very low maintenance, compared to other natural siding materials, allowing you to spend your leisure time enjoying your summer home rather than constantly painting.
The type of foundation and framing materials used will largely depend on the interpretation of the NBC by the local building officials. Checking with the municipality where your new building is located to find out these requirements before obtaining building permits should yield some of your desired answers. If the area is primarily surface bedrock, foundations may be simple. If the area has poorer quality soil, or sandy soil conditions, a more elaborate foundation may be required. Poured concrete piers, driven piles, or concrete footings may be needed to prevent serious building movement. This is very important on ocean-front properties, especially if the lot has a substantial slope.
My observations from your part of the globe are that these are very realistic possibilities. As far as the choice between framing the building one board at a time versus manufactured trusses and components will depend on numerous factors such as access, cost and availability.
My own summer home is fully insulated and heated for year-round use, but we choose to drain the pipes and turn the heat off most winters. That is due to the limited number of times were use it in the winter, so it does not make sense to waste the energy and money just to keep the pipes from freezing.
Most municipalities will require you to build to modern standards and the NBC, including a proper foundation and insulation. Checking with local authorities, before you finalize your plans, may save you a good deal of frustration, once those choices are made.
Ari Marantz is the owner of Trained Eye Home Inspection Ltd. and the past president of the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors -- Manitoba (cahpi.mb.ca). Questions can be emailed to the address below. Ari can be reached at 204-291-5358 or check out his website at trainedeye.ca.
trainedeye@iname.com
Renovation & Design
Permanent marker need not be permanent
QUESTION: I just discovered several Sharpie/permanent marker smudges on my dark brown leather sofa. Is there any way to clean this? I kindly thank you! Shauna, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Attempting to remove these stain may make the areas additionally visible, therefore you may want to leave them alone. However, here are a few suggestions of removers that have had good results on permanent marker. Begin by blotting the area with a generous amount of Dawn dish soap, water and a white cloth. If some of the ink appears onto the cloth, continue this process. Other ink lifters include Sunlight bar soap, shaving cream, mosquito repellent (containing DEET) or a 50/50 combination of vodka and three per cent hydrogen peroxide. Some people have had great results with a product called Zout. Test everything on an inconspicuous area first and blot with dish soap and water between applications.
QUESTION: How do you get permanent marker off of a dining room table with a glossy finish? Brad, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Gently scrub with a combination of baking powder and dish soap, being careful not to damage the finish.
QUESTION: A long time ago, we used to be able to take torn used clothing to places like Good Will and they would use them for cloths. Is there anywhere one can do that now? I guess I grew up in the olden times, when we saved everything for patching, but I am finding the pile of stuff is becoming too much. Margaret
ANSWER: Yes, there are several organizations that may take your clothing such as: Salvation Army, Value Village, MCC Thrift Store, Women's Shelters and some churches. I don't know in which area you live but if you call or visit such places you are sure to find a thankful recipient.
QUESTION: A few months ago your column featured a suggestion for spreadable butter right from the fridge. However I have forgotten if it is 1 cup of oil per pound or 1.5 cups per pound. Thanks. Elaine, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Soften a pound of butter overnight in the large bowl of your mixer. The next day start blending your butter until it is creamy. Into a large measuring cup pour one and a half cups of your favorite oil i.e. olive, vegetable, canola etc. and slowly add the oil into the butter until you have a fairly liquid product (experiment to find the consistency you prefer.) If you wish you can add a little additional salt. You will now have a fairly liquid product. Pour your "new" butter into individual small containers and store in the fridge. This product will harden and remain spreadable.
Feedback
Re: Peeling hard boiled eggs
I'm amazed how many people have trouble peeling eggs. The secret is to squeeze the shell, thus loosening the membrane between the egg and shell. The membrane then stays with the shell. In my opinion; eggs should be warm when peeling. Submitted By: Kathy
Smart Tips of the Week:
1. Can't find the warranty for your washing machine? Keep a three-ring binder divided by rooms, floors, or whatever works. File all instruction books, paint chips paint quantities, appliance and tool receipts and warranties, measurements etc., and they'll be easy to find.
2. Lots of bolted lettuce: Don't relegate it to the compost. Wash and freeze it and then crush it down so it takes less space. Use during the winter as a spinach-substitute in soups, stews etc.
3. Can't find stuff in your chest freezer? Put all veggies in one 18 inch sealable bag, meat in another, bread in another etc. Easier to move large bags rather than multiple small items. May need plastic clips to keep them closed - label the clip with masking tape.
Smart Tips sent in by: Rowena from Manitoba
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Need a Presenter on the topic: Effective Speaking or The Power of Words? Check out: Reena.ca
Renovation & Design
Frequent flying aircraft unlikely cause of static electricity
Question:
I own a home in St. James close to the airport and in line with the flight paths. For the nine years I have lived here we have had a problem with static in the house, despite constantly running a humidifier. Also, when I stand in the middle of my backyard I can feel the static against my skin. When we purchased the home there was a five foot rod sunk in the ground, next to the house, and another one in the back area of the yard. I did not know what these rods were for and have since removed them. I am wondering if they were meant to be grounding rods? Why am I experiencing so much static in my home and outside in the yard? Does the constant aircraft traffic over my home result in built up static? What can I do to reduce the static problem?
Shawna
Answer:
Some things that occur in and around our homes have causes that are hard to pinpoint, and beyond the knowledge of even an experienced home inspector. Static electricity can be annoying, but is rarely caused by a significant issue, unless in extreme cases. There may be some things you can do inside to minimize this concern, but outside may be more your imagination than reality. Determining whether there is anything seriously wrong with your home, inside or out, may require testing and evaluation by an experienced environmental engineer.
Static electricity is often experienced within a building due to certain materials rubbing against each other or other related causes. You are right that this may be worse in the dry winter, but could occur at other times, as well. The first thing I have to enquire about is the type of floor coverings in your home. Certain types of flooring, particularly carpets, can cause static electricity when walked on with socks, stockings, or certain types of footwear. I'm not sure which regular carpet materials may be the worst, but often the fabrics are composed of nylon, polyester, wool, or blends of these. If you mainly experience this phenomenon in rooms with carpets only, removal and replacement with hard surface flooring may help.
It is doubtful aircraft frequently flying over your home has anything to do with electrical charges or electromagnetic forces in the environment. Even in your area, there is a great deal of open space between your home and any planes, which should negate any effects they may be cause. I would think noise or vibrations may be an issue, but not anything that would cause excessive static electricity in your yard. A better place to look would be any equipment located nearby.
Do you have any hydro poles immediately adjacent to your yard? If so, are there any large transformers suspended from the top of these? Are there any substations or large overhead power lines near your home? Any of these could produce a higher than normal amount of electromagnetic radiation in the vicinity of your yard. Whether this would be noticeable when you're outside would be questionable, but there has been lots of chatter in recent years about possible negative effects of this equipment on people. It is conceivable your home is located in an area where Hydro infrastructure is inadvertently affecting the environment. Whether this would be causing the high static electricity forces you are noticing would be a question for someone more qualified than I. Further investigation by an environmental specialist may be warranted to determine if there are any more serious concerns, if this is the case.
You may be correct that the metal rods you removed from your yard were originally installed as ground rods, but they're probably not needed anymore. They were either rendered unnecessary many years ago, or may have been installed for something such as an old television antenna or other exterior fixture. To rule this out as an issue, locate your current ground wire where it connects to the water supply pipe near the meter. This bare copper wire should be continuous from this pipe to the electrical panel, or bypass the meter and continue right to the panel. If it is not in this location, look for a clamp on a metal water supply pipe where the wire may terminate. If you see it in this location, or can't find the termination of this wire, call an electrician to properly ground the panel to the water line. This may not eliminate the static issue, but will certainly improve the overall safety of the electrical system.
Dryness in your home may make static electricity issues worse, but should not be the underlying cause, nor should airplanes flying low over your home. It is more likely various materials in your flooring, furniture, or clothing are responsible for this nuisance problem. The true cause of this issue may not be within the knowledge of most home inspectors, myself included, but common sense tells me your sensing of this outside the home is an overreaction. Regardless, if changes in your interior floor coverings or furnishings don't solve the problem, and you still feel the effects of the static charges outside your home, evaluation by an experienced environmental engineer should be the next step.
Ari Marantz is the owner of Trained Eye Home Inspection Ltd.
trainedeye@iname.com
