Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
Homes in Brief
Portable cooktop
APPLIANCE -- The folks at Frigidaire have been busy cooking up a space-saving stovetop solution. The Portable Induction Cooktop ($199) blends convenience with energy-efficient cooking in a format ideal for small living spaces or non-traditional cooking spots found in condos, RVs, basements, boats or cabins. It's also a creative solution for families that love to entertain, but long for additional cooking space.
The cooktop's induction technology effectively converts electricity into cooktop surface heat, and it allows for precise temperature control. The appliance is lightweight, with a compact design, and it can be cleaned easily with a damp cloth or sponge.
The Frigidaire Portable Induction Cooktop is available at Sears, The Brick, Leon's, the Bay and Coast Wholesale Appliances.
Get organized
STORAGE -- Those of us fortunate enough to have a door that shuts off the laundry room from prying eyes need never worry about the messy contents inside ... until the day we can't tell where the dirty clothes end and the clean begin.
Enter the Evertidy laundry organizer ($69.99), with its built-in rack to hang clean clothes, storage shelf and large basket for collecting soiled threads. It also comes with two utility hooks and two magnetic lid jars. The system can be installed in 15 minutes on most surfaces, including drywall.
Evertidy also makes a garden tools organizer ($69.99). Evertidy systems are available at Zellers, Sears and Superstore locations. Go to www.evertidy.comfor more information.
Renovation & Design
SOLUTIONS: Permanent marker can be scribbled out
QUESTION: I enjoyed your presentation at a Lunch and Learn session in our office but since then I have a new challenge in my home. My teenager wrote on my brand new white board with permanent marker. Is the board garbage, or is there a way to remove the marker? Thomas, Winnipeg
ANSWER: You will be amazed at how easy it is to remove permanent marker from a white board with this handy little secret! Using a dry-erase marker, scribble over every permanent mark on the board. Wipe. All of the permanent marker and your frustration will quickly disappear.
QUESTION: In a recent article you suggested placing milk cartons between tomato plants with holes around the sides and pouring water into them to slowly water the plants. I tried this and the water leaked out. When you say place cartons between plants do you mean dig them into the earth? Jim, Winnipeg
ANSWER: When watering tomato plants, there are many effective techniques that work, from just spraying with a garden hose to using a soaker hose or placing individual milk jugs by each plant. If you are using the water hose, it's time consuming and may cause disease problems by splashing soil onto the leaves. Soaker hoses are much more efficient giving less evaporation and more even distribution of water. A simple way to water is to cut 3 X's in the bottom of the milk jugs and bury them a few inches in the soil near plants or between two plants. Fill the jugs with water and they will soak slowly into the soil right where needed. It's important to provide an even supply of moisture to the plant so once you start watering, continue on a routine schedule.
QUESTION: While making cooked pudding I put two pots together because I didn't have a double boiler. After cooking the pudding I was unable to separate the two pots. I have tried heating both pots, soaking both pots in cool and warm water and dribbling oil between the pots. Nothing has worked. Any suggestions? Lorrie, Swan River
ANSWER: Immerse the outside pot in HOT water then pour very COLD water inside the inner pot. Cold contracts and heat expands so hopefully there will be enough room to break the vacuum seal.
QUESTION: I enjoy reading your column in the Winnipeg Free Press and now I need your help. There are water stains in front of my fireplace mantle. I have tried many products but cannot erase them. Also what cheap solution can I use to clean my stainless steel appliances? Inka, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Without knowing what your mantle is made of, it is hard to offer a solution. Assuming the mantle is brick, you will need to purchase an acid-based brick cleaner from a hardware store or masonry dealer. Follow the label directions. To prevent future watermarks, consider sealing the area.
Instead of purchasing expensive stainless steel cleaners, make your own. Into a squeeze bottle combine 50/50 baby oil and rubbing alcohol. Pour onto a soft cloth and wipe onto stainless steel then wipe off with a soft, dry cloth. So simple and easy to make. Be sure to test the solution on a small inconspicuous area first.
Renovation & Design
Re-facing an option for cabinets
Dear Marc: I have an old outdated oak kitchen that I would like to replace but I don't have the money to get the entire kitchen done. I would like to get it done before the in-laws come in from out of town this spring. I am considering painting the cabinets another colour but I think it might make them look cheap. Any ideas? Mary
Dear Mary: Oak kitchens are probably one of the most common kitchens found in older homes today. Years ago, oak was the trendy wood to use in kitchen spaces.Today, designers are steering away from traditional oak cabinets for the simple reason that everybody has one, so it's not considered unique and luxurious. But don't despair, there are ways to update your look without ripping out all your kitchen cabinets and re-mortgaging the house.
If you considered painting the cabinets, then I will assume the core and hardware of your cabinets are in good shape. If so, then using a kitchen cabinet re-facing service would give you the opportunity to update the look of your kitchen space on a tight budget.
-- Canwest News Service
Renovation & Design
SOLUTIONS: No need to come unglued over your carpet woes
QUESTION: I am in a quandary! I have glued my area rug with double-sided tape to my existing carpet... and now it seems an impossible task to remove the tape from the carpet (I live in a rental apartment). I need your solution to this mess that I have created. Thank you, Gizele (Winnipeg)
ANSWER: What I would do in your case is soak the carpet with the hottest water that the carpet can stand. Doing this loosens the glue, making it easier to scrape adhesive residue. Another option is WD-40; open the windows in order to ventilate the room. Spray the carpet, let sit for 10 minutes and wipe up all sticky residues. Clean the carpet area with dish soap and water. Rinse with water and pat dry.
QUESTION: I am taking on a new challenge this year which is growing my very own basil. My best friend buys basil at the store. How should fresh basil be selected and stored? Barb (Piney)
ANSWER: Basil is now more popular than ever! If you grow your own basil, it should be picked just as the plant begins to bloom. Early morning hours are the best time, after the dew has evaporated and before the sun is high. The oil content in the leaves is the best at this time. When purchasing basil, look for leaves that are bright green and fresh-looking. Limp wrinkled leaves with black spots are good indications that basil is old.
Basil leaves should be rinsed lightly and dried. Wrap in paper towels and seal in a plastic bag. Basil can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. Dried basil (like other dried herbs) can be substituted for fresh in recipes however use only one third of the amount of the fresh required.
QUESTION: The inside of my washing machine tub has a dirty ring around the top; soap scum I would think. So I am wondering what I can use to clean this, please. Really enjoy reading your column! Lynn (Winnipeg)
ANSWER: Like most items in life they require general maintenance and cleaning. Over time washing machine odours can transfer to clothing and the problem snowballs. Cleaning your machine regularly will help to keep it fresh and ready for use.
Unplug your washing machine before cleaning it! Unclog the filter regularly -- open it up and remove the debris that has accumulated. Clean the detergent drawer -- a wipe over with a cloth should remove gunged-up bits of soap -- use an old toothbrush to get into small areas. Scrub the inside of the tub with one cup of vinegar and a half-cup of baking soda.
For regular use, add vinegar or washing soda or good 'ol borax to all cycles. This removes odours and stops soap scum, lime scale and mildew. Always leave your washing machine door slightly open when not in use to stop it from smelling bad and encouraging growth in your machine (gross). Extra tip: Cutting down on liquid fabric softener will keep the machine cleaner, longer.
QUESTION: I enjoyed hearing you speak at our office Christmas party and since that time my colleagues and I have had an ongoing debate that I am hoping you can settle. Can pizza be baked on a coal BBQ grill? Tammy (St. Malo)
ANSWER: Yes, for that wood-oven taste made famous in Italy, barbecue your pizza. Prepare the coals for grilling. Use the indirect method if you have a covered grill. Move the hot coals to the sides of the grill in a circle just larger than the pizza.
For extra flavour, sprinkle mesquite or hickory chips on the coals. Place pizza on the grill four to six inches above the coals. Cover; cook 15 to 25 minutes or until crust is brown, cheese is melted and centre is hot.
To cook a pizza on an open grill, place the pizza on a sheet of heavy duty foil or on a foil pan four to six inches from medium coals. Cover with foil tent; cook 15 to 25 mins.
QUESTION: I need advice on cleaning paintings. I've heard about using bread, but that doesn't work! Maris
ANSWER: For regular cleaning, gently dust paintings with a soft paint brush, baby toothbrush or shaving brush. According to restoration experts, years ago, the bread trick was a great way to clean oil paintings, but bread sold in stores nowadays does not clean oil paintings as it used to. There's a product called 'GoJo Hand Cleaner,' the original, not the orange-scented or the abrasive formula. You may need to order it online, but this cleaner yields great results. Valuable paintings, however, need to be trusted to specialist conservators.
Fabulous Tips of the Week:
-- Olive oil should be stored in a cool, dark place for no longer than one year. If refrigerated, it will thicken and turn cloudy.
-- To reheat pasta, place it in rapidly boiling water for one to two minutes or pour boiling water over pasta in a colander to heat it through. Drain and serve immediately.
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.
