Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
SOLUTIONS: Shorten a dress without sewing
QUESTION: I am borrowing my cousin's dress for a dinner that I am going to in three weeks. The dress is knee-length and I am wondering how I can temporarily shorten it so that it is a short dress without using a needle and thread. Any suggestions? Marissa (Dominion City, Man.)
ANSWER: Turn the dress inside out. Using a safety pin, find the side seams of the dress. Secure the bottom hem to the waist seam using one safety pin. Repeat this step on the opposite side seam. Turn the dress right side out. Voila!
QUESTION: With six hungry kids in our home and a grocery bill to match, I often make meals using ground beef. One of our favourites is tacos filled with yummy goodness, but the shells always break, leaving a big mess for me to clean up. Any suggestions for less messy taco meals? Lauren (Winkler)
ANSWER: Place filled taco shells inside of a coffee filter -- the filter helps catch dropped filling and makes the taco easy to hold. You can also opt for soft shells instead of hard. Or make life easier on yourself by serving taco salad instead, just as delicious but less messy.
EXTRA TIP: Don't just save tacos for supper. Both soft and hard taco shells can be filled with breakfast foods such as eggs, sausage, bacon, ham, cheese and salsa.
QUESTION: I have a great technique for cleaning my microwave oven. I take a measuring cup and fill it with water and a few drops of lemon juice. Then I boil the water for five minutes until it is really hot. I remove the water, and when it has cooled off, I use it to wipe out the microwave. In your opinion, what is the easiest and fastest technique for cleaning the inside of a microwave oven? Marcel, Winnipeg
ANSWER: While I applaud your microwave-cleaning efforts, I want to caution you that boiling any liquid i.e. coffee or water in the microwave is very dangerous. Countless people have received severe burns from boiling liquids in the microwave. Even with the use of microwave-safe dishes, the liquid heats up and spontaneously explodes onto a person's hands or face causing serious burns! The FDA states that if an object such as sugar or a wooden stick is added to the water, the risk is greatly reduced.
Here is a twist on cleaning your microwave that works with a dual purpose. After using a sponge to clean your kitchen, clean the sponge by soaking it in water and putting it inside the microwave. Microwave the sponge on high for two minutes. A study published in the Journal of Environmental Health reported the microwave kills 99 per cent of bacteria and viruses. After the sponge is cool enough to touch, use a little dish soap and water and wipe out the entire microwave. Never microwave a dry sponge.
QUESTION: Can you please provide me with a non-toxic recipe for a toilet-bowl puck I can make myself and drop inside my toilet tank to keep it fresh?
ANSWER: Homemade Toilet Fizzies: In a bowl, combine one cup baking soda with a half-cup citric acid (citric acid is often found in home hardware stores or can be ordered at your local pharmacy). Add drops of essential oils (about 20 drops of your favourite fragrances) and a little water until ingredients hold together when squeezed (without falling apart). Pack small silicone moulds with mixture. Let dry overnight. Gently release toilet fizzies from the mould. Drop into toilet tank as needed.
An even easier way to keep your bathroom smelling fresh is to simmer three cinnamon sticks in a pot with a quarter-cup of vanilla and one orange peel. Leave for two minutes. Dip cotton balls into pot and tuck them inside of a toilet roll.
Living beyond the jellybean
While there are oodles of different legumes, the most common are peas, lentils, beans i.e. kidney, pinto, black and navy. Legumes are healthy; they are an excellent source of protein, high in fibre, low in fat and on and on and on. Consider adding legumes to chili, rice dishes, spaghetti sauce, dips and spreads. Did you know dried beans can also be ground into gluten-free bean flour used to thicken recipes?
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Missed a column? Can't remember a solution? Need a motivational speaker for an upcoming event? Check out my website Reena.ca.
Renovation & Design
SOLUTIONS: Epoxy mix should fix scratched porcelain sink
QUESTION: I enjoy reading your helpful tips. How would you suggest getting surface scratches out of lovely, white porcelain kitchen sinks? I have tried baking soda, Magic Eraser, bleach and vinegar but nothing works. The scratches are not penetrating, they are just on the surface (from pots and pans, etc.). Look forward to anything you can suggest as they are only two years old. Thank you. Nicky (Winnipeg)
ANSWER: Even if the scratches are not deep, they are still scratches and using a cleaner such as baking soda or vinegar will not erase the damage. You will need to purchase a porcelain repair kit from your local hardware store. With the colour-match epoxy mixed according to the directions and a sponge, you will likely end up with great results.
QUESTION: Would you have any recipes for making toothpaste? I have a disorder known as chemical sensitivity and would rather stick with common household ingredients for making my own hygiene products. Janet (Duck Mountain, Man.)
ANSWER: Baking soda is a great alternative for people struggling with chemical sensitivity. Baking soda is packed with great properties for whitening and absorbing odour. All you need to do is wet your toothbrush with water and dip it in baking soda, then brush your teeth as usual. If you want to put the cleaning power of baking soda to the test, clean a seashell and see if there is a difference between the cleaning power of commercial toothpaste versus baking soda.
Fabulous tips of the week
-- I bought a big screw hook from a department store and fixed it under one of my cupboards. Now whenever I purchase bananas, I hang them on the screw. They don't have to sit on the counter and they seem to last longer. Submitted by: Landon (St. Agathe, Man.)
-- I purchased a wire shelf and positioned it vertically instead of horizontally. I then secured it inside one of my closets between two walls to create a fence. I now stand my wrapping paper rolls up between the shelf and the wall and they stay organized. Submitted by: Debbie (Winnipeg)
Easy 2014 Valentine contest:
Submit one sentence that affected your life, either positively or negatively. All entries will be entered into a draw to win the complete bestselling book series, 1, 2 and 3 Household Solutions. Deadline: Feb. 28, 2014. Mailing address: Reena Nerbas, Box 429, Blumenort, MB R0A 0C0 Email: householdsolutions@mts.net.
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Missed a column? Can't remember a solution? Need a motivational speaker for an upcoming event? Check out my website, Reena.ca.
