Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
SOLUTIONS: Bring dishes back to their original colour
QUESTION: We live in the country and have hard, rusty water. My Corelle dishes are turning a yellowish, brown colour because I have washed them in bleach. Does this come off somehow and what can I do to get them white again? The finish may be coming off the cups on the outside. Thanks. Faye, Winnipeg
ANSWER: In my second book, I talk about a recipe that I created called, "Corellabunga." This will bring your dishes back to their original colour. In a large pot, combine three cups (750 ml) vinegar, four cups (one litre) water and 2 tbsp. (30 ml) citric acid; bring to a boil. Set one Corelle dish in the boiling mixture for five minutes (the water must cover the dish). Once dry, your dishes will look brand new.
QUESTION: I am hoping that you have a solution on how we can discourage cats from using our flower beds and gardens as a litter box. We have tried many kinds of what we thought would be the answer such as Critter Rider, black pepper mixed with cayenne pepper, and once it rains it is of no use. It is so disgusting when you have to clean up on a daily basis. I have heard of mothballs but I cannot tolerate the odour.
I firmly feel that a bylaw for cats should be the same as it is for dogs. I would appreciate any help or advice you can give me. Thank you. Marie, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Just like children, what works for one will not necessarily work for all. Continue experimenting with a variety of deterrents until you find the most effective solution for your visitors.
The No. 1 tip is to make your yard unattractive to cats by making digging difficult and uncomfortable. Bury chicken wire under the soil or topsoil with pine cones, flat rock or mulch. Position rose bush branches along the ground where cats like to step. If you do not have rose bushes ask your local garden centre; they may be willing to donate thorny branches.
Alternatively, lay down or bury mats that have upward facing points; cats don't like prickles. As well, make your yard unattractive to cats by planting a patch of catnip away from your yard or plant "rue" -- cats detest the smell.
Keep cats out of the garden by sprinkling coffee grounds or onions on the soil. Pet and garden stores sell a variety of products e.g. predator urine and cat repellents or you can make your own. Cat repellent: Combine and sprinkle: two parts cayenne pepper, three parts dry mustard and five parts flour. The drawback is like you said that you will need to reapply the mixture after rain. You can also purchase a motion sensor sprinkler system because most cats detest water.
QUESTION: Can you help me with wax that fell on my industrial-type rug and on a microfibre chair? Thank you so much. Jocelyne, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Use a dull knife to scrape off as much of the wax as possible. Next take a folded paper towel and place it over the stain. Press with a warm clothing iron. Move the paper towel, and watch the colour transfer from the chair and rug onto the paper towel. Observe the stain and if any wax remains. Repeat procedure.
Feedback from Manitoban Who Cares:
Dear Reena,
I read and enjoy your column in the Winnipeg Free Press and here's my response to a recent item regarding getting your money's worth from toilet paper brands as well as a couple of my own household tips.
-- Toilet paper: Since there are no "substitutions," only solutions on this front, a rough price guide is that if the toilet paper is a "double" / 280 sheet roll don't pay more than 50 cents a roll. Manufacturers whittle away the roll size while still referring to it as a "double" roll, and the thickness of double-ply varies (with some on recycled paper being the thinner). Winnipeggers' favourite membership warehouse (Costco) has around 36 wider and larger rolls (460 sheets approx) for under $20.
-- Cooking measuring tip: Instead of using one-quarter and one-half-cup and tablespoons, just use the one-quarter-cup measure. Four tablespoons equals one-quarter-cup and it's easy to eyeball one, two or three tablespoons, or just double for the half-cup. Save on the washing up.
-- Vegetable bags (like the ones in the supermarket) are a much cheaper option than commercial sealable bags and they fit snugger around your food. You can buy rolls of them at grocery discounts e.g. Sobeys Cash and Carry by Arlington Street Bridge.
Submitted by: Rowena, Winnipeg
Super Storage Tips of the Week:
-- Here is a timesaving tip for bacon. After bringing bacon home from the store, broil or fry it as usual. Make sure that the bacon is not overcooked. Freeze or refrigerate. When ready to use pull it out and quickly reheat.
-- Store unwashed zucchini inside a plastic bag, poking a few holes into the bag first. Store inside the crisper. Or slice and blanch zucchini for two minutes. Put into freezer bags or plastic containers and into the freezer. To thaw, remove zucchini from freezer, drain and use.
-- Keep basil perky for at least one week by treating them similar to freshly cut flowers. Trim the ends. In a glass or vase of water, stand basil and cover with a loose piece of plastic wrap. Leave on your countertop.
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., ROA 0C0.
Renovation & Design
Household energy hogs run up your bills
Yes, little things do add up to big things when it comes to energy conservation. Here are some little energy-saving tips.
* Electronic devices continue to consume "phantom" or standby power even when not being used, adding five to 10 per cent to your energy wbill. Culprits include televisions and home theatre systems, computers (including monitors and printers), cellphone and other chargers and game consoles.
Solution: Plug the devices into power bars that cut the electricity supply when it's not needed.
* Set-top boxes that bring cable and other services to your television are among the worst phantom power hogs. Depending on the number and configuration, they can consume more power than a central air conditioning system, according to a detailed New York Times article.
They often can't be unplugged because they take forever to reboot. Look for Energy Star models with the lowest phantom power consumption and minimize the number you own.
* When using a dishwasher, Ontario Power Authority suggests air drying your dishes, using the air-dry setting (or energy saver) option, or just leaving the door open. Visit saveonenergy.ca for more tips.
* Think twice before you buy a digital picture frame or at least either unplug it when no one's home or put it on a power bar with a timer.
The Electric Power Research Institute, a non-profit research group, estimates that if every household in America ran one digital picture frame around the clock, five additional power plants would be needed to operate them.
* Air conditioners are among a home's biggest energy hogs and units from the 1970s can use up to 50 per cent more power than today's models, according to the United States Department of Energy. Even 10-year-old systems can be 20- to 40 per cent less efficient than new models. Look for Energy Star-certified units. As well, shade the condenser from the sun and keep it free from leaves and other debris to achieve maximum efficiency. Air conditioners are eligible for a rebate under the federal ecoEnergy program (oee.nrcan.gc.ca).
* Cut heating costs up to five per cent by changing furnace filters every one to three months.
* You know that old beer fridge may be wasting up to $125 a year in electricity. You also know that Ontario Power Authority will haul it away for free. But did you realize that dirty coils on the back or bottom of your fridge or freezer make it work harder? Vacuum them every couple of months, more often if you have a pet that sheds hair.
Check the seal on your refrigerator or freezer. Close the door on a piece of paper. If you can pull the paper out easily, replace the gasket.
* Incandescent light bulbs are being phased out in Canada and elsewhere. To maximize the life of CFL bulbs, leave them on at least 15 minutes, but then turn them off when you leave the room.
Contrary to what you may have heard, re-energizing bulbs uses minimal electricity.
For a guide to buying CFL bulbs, which is as complicated as choosing wine, see hydroottawa.com/residential/ saveonenergy/tips-andtools/lighting.
* Winter vacation? Consider unplugging your refrigerator and using timers on your indoor lights.
-- Postmedia News
Renovation & Design
Carefully balanced room will look eclectic
Dear LEANNE: I have a question about matching nightstands. We just purchased a beautiful sleigh bed for our master bedroom. We were not enamoured with the stands that went with the suite. Originally we thought we would pick up two nightstands from a different collection, but I would love to try a creative unmatched look where each stand is different. I have second-guessed every choice so far and realize I am not sure how to go about making this work. Help, please.
ANSWER: What you have described is the charming eclectic look -- a combination of carefully chosen objects that are intriguing to look at, yet not overdone. This look highlights designers' creativity and its hallmark is a casual kind of balance. However, although it may not look like it, this design style does follow the same principles as a structured/matched design, specifically the principles of function and balance.
Regardless of what design you choose, you always want to ensure you have a highly functioning room. To find the right nightstands, you need to know what you are looking for. Do you plan to read in bed? Will the stand house a lamp, phone or alarm clock? Determine the height you need to easily access these items by first figuring out the height of the bed with the mattress and bedding intact.
Finally, lie on the bed to determine the optimum height for the stands. Also consider whether you require the stands to provide storage. If so, do you prefer doors, drawers or an open shelf?
Once you are armed with the parameters of the stands you can implement your eclectic design plan. This is where room balance -- of items in context with other items -- comes into play. When parts interrelate harmoniously, you've achieved asymmetrical balance.
Look for a common point to tie the stands and bed together. For example, if your bed is a sleek art deco sleigh in dark wood, consider a mirrored nightstand with doors or drawers on one side and a chrome and glass night stand with an open shelf on the other. Chrome, glass and mirror are all compatible elements for this design period.
Balance now needs to come into play with size, scale and visual weight. Mirror and glass are both visually light, but the glass and chrome will seem more or less significant depending on what you place in the shelf, thus affecting the visual balance. If you are new to this design style, try to change only one or two elements and match others. For example, change the nightstands but use similar lamps. If you are more adventurous, you can have differing stands, lamps and wall decor. Finally, step back and use the squint test to determine if the room feels balanced or heavier on one side. Then decide whether you prefer to add or delete items that enhance the overall balance.
DEAR LEANNE: I would love to add fresh greenery to my mantel this Christmas. How do you keep the boughs from drying out?
ANSWER: Inspired by old European stories and pictures, fresh-cut evergreen boughs are a popular addition to homes during the holiday season. The success of keeping that greenery fresh depends on the type of bough and how fresh it is to begin with. Cedar, fir and pine boughs tend to dry out more slowly than other evergreens and generally have a mantel life of two to three weeks, provided they are not exposed to extreme heat, say from a glowing fireplace.
Cutting fresh from your own yard will extend the life of your garland or wreath. However, if you are purchasing, bend the needles back and check to ensure there are no brown or brittle areas.
Purchase the boughs as close as possible to the time that you will need them and store outside until required. Then, re-cut the ends and soak your boughs overnight in the tub to allow full hydration before you assemble them for display. Keep the greenery away from heat vents and avoid exposure time to fireplace heat. Check the boughs every few days to ensure they are still supple. Replace any that appear dry and brittle. Mist the garland every other day with a spray bottle, and your greenery will see you through the holidays.
-- Postmedia News
Leanne Brownoff is an Edmonton interior design consultant who welcomes your questions at leannebrownoff@shaw.ca
