Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
Wash throws in cold water and dry on low heat
Question: I received a beautiful, fluffy throw blanket for Christmas last year. How should I wash it so that it doesn’t lose its softness? Cheri
Answer: Wash your throws by themselves so that the fuzz from the blanket does not jump onto your clothing. Use cold water and dry on the lowest heat setting, or air fluff to dry. Use a small amount of detergent. Some people like to add fabric softener to the load, but I prefer to wash without softener.
Question: Does baking powder or baking soda make food crispy? Corbett
Answer: Baking powder is a leavening agent which is made by combining baking soda, cream of tartar and cornstarch. Baking powder creates little bubbles when combined with oil and dries the skin, leaving it crispy and crunchy. Baking soda can also be used to make foods crispy. For best results, activate baking soda by combining it with a food acid such as vinegar or lemon juice.
Question: What is your trick to get crazy glue off fingers? Henry
Answer: When this happens soak (and I mean soak your fingers for at least 15 minutes) in either cola or the hottest water you can stand or acetone. Gently pry the glue off your fingers and wash.
Question: Is it appropriate to tip a handyman and if so, how much is acceptable? Mary
Answer: Whether accessing the services of a handy person, hair stylist, restaurant, spa, delivery driver, coat checker, hotel or health and lifestyle service, begin by asking yourself how you would rate the service. In other words, decide if you were happy with the service. Also, remind yourself that many service providers rely on tip money to support themselves. The standard tip rate in Manitoba is between 15 and 20 per cent. Be aware, some establishments automatically add the tip to the bill.
Question: We own a white refrigerator. It has the “rough” coating on the front with some black marks that have been embedded into the material. Cleaning doesn’t seem to do the trick, so I think I must paint it. The hardware store wasn’t very helpful and told me that nothing can be done. Do you know of any paint or finish that I could apply to it to make it look like new? David
Answer: I painted appliances once and they looked great for the first few months but after a while they looked worse than before. However, that was a long time ago and so if you are intending to paint, check with a reputable paint specialist for the best paint option. I am also wondering if you have tried erasing the black marks with a rubber eraser or Mr. Clean Magic Eraser or a paste of baking soda and water or Bar Keepers Friend, or WD-40 or Goo Gone (worth a try). Whatever you choose, please test on an inconspicuous area first.
Light-bulb moments
A while ago you had an article about how to remove tea stains off your teacups (works for coffee too) use the Mr. Magic Eraser. Works great and easy too. — Sheila
My hands were so dry this winter and I couldn’t figure out why. I then switched from washing my hands with dish soap to actual liquid hand soap. Now my hands are back to normal. — Jordan
I clip plastic bread tags to electrical cords to identify which cord is plugged into each outlet. I use a marker to write on the bread tag i.e., printer, computer, mouse etc. — Sangeet
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 at: info@reena.ca. Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca.
Renovation & Design
Aluminum wiring should be inspected, repaired by electrician
Question: I’m writing to enquire about aluminum wiring. It was permitted by code to be installed in many apartments and homes during the 1970s and today is even used by Manitoba Hydro for heavy gauge service cables. Insurers love to add a few zeros to their quotes when insuring a home with it. As many homes from that era are attached, apartments, row housing and side-by-sides, many homeowners are unable to do any rewiring work on their own homes. Electricians also love to add similar zeros when asked to mitigate it in an attached residence. It also has to be declared on a real estate condition report when buying or selling a home.
Just what is wrong with it? Does a home require complete rewiring and what is the most economical way to resolve it? Aluminum seems to be a pariah, almost as bad as asbestos! I’d love to see your comments published. Thank you,
Bob Sales.
Answer: Aluminum wiring issues have been known for decades, but have recently been targeted by the insurance industry. Most homes may only require inspection and modification to all junctions by a licensed electrician, but others may require additional repairs to satisfy local electrical safety standards and specific insurer’s criteria.
Aluminum wiring was commonly used for branch circuit wiring in residential construction from the mid-60s to the mid-70s. In our area, I normally see it in homes built between 1967 and 1972-74. The reason for its use was economics, as it was less costly than copper wiring. It is also lighter than copper, but does not conduct electricity as well. For that reason, aluminum wire is typically one size larger than its copper counterpart, for the same amperage circuit. It is often easily identified by the larger, silver coloured wiring and AL or Aluminum stamps on the plastic or cloth sheathing. It fell out of favour with builders due to several fire safety related issues.
You are correct that aluminium is still used today in several applications, particularly larger cables. This is due to the weight relative to copper wiring. Larger cables, often used by public utilities for outdoor use, can be quite difficult to transport and install in certain applications. Using aluminum wiring has that benefit, as well as its resistance to corrosion.
The main problem with aluminum wiring used in residential applications is found at duplex receptacles. Some of the original receptacles rated for aluminium (AL/CU) had issues with corrosion due to incompatibility between the alloys used in the receptacles and the aluminum wire. When this corrosion occurs in sufficient amounts, small gaps may develop between the wire conductors and the receptacle, where the bolts hold the wires. When the receptacle is powered, this can cause arcing, which will often lead to overheating, melted wire sheathing, and fires at the point of the junction. Fire prevention is the reason for required remediation of aluminum wiring, whether mandated by insurance providers, or others. Newer receptacles were developed (CO/ALR) which help prevent this issue, but may still be subject to overheating and arcing in some circumstances. It is rare that the main sections of the wiring are the cause of overheating, unless it has been damaged. For this reason, it is normally not required to remove large sections of wire, unless pervasive overheating is found.
While receptacles are the main culprits, the same issue could occur at other electrical devices and fixtures. Circuit breakers and electrical panels are probably the second most common location to find evidence of overheated wiring. I have inspected several electrical panels where corrosion and/or melted sheathing is seen, primarily at the neutral bus, but also at the breakers. Often, this is visible at the larger cables, which are required to be coated in anti-oxidant paste at all connections. This paste, often called grease, remains pliable and insulates connections and exposed wiring from exposure to air, and should last for many years. This helps prevent both corrosion and arcing at junctions and may even be used in upgrades at all connections, even with smaller wires. When this paste is absent, serious defects are much more likely.
Some electricians believe that many of the issues with aluminum wire occur due to poor installation techniques. Because the wiring is much softer than copper, it can easily be compressed when tightening bolts at receptacles, switches, and other fixtures. If it is squished flat and then bent to fit into a junction box, it may become much thinner, or even cracked, near the connection point. Also, overtightening of the wire inside wire nut connectors can have the same result. Both are a recipe for arcing, and several of the melted wires I have found attached to receptacles appear to have this defect. Regardless, remediation typically incudes removal of the damaged section of wire, replacement of the electrical device or fixture, and repairs using anti-oxidant paste and properly rated devices. Often, pig-tailing is done, where a short section of copper wire is bolted to the fixture, with the other end connected to the aluminum wire, using properly rated wire nuts and grease.
All homes built with aluminum wiring should have the electrical panels and all duplex receptacles inspected, to ensure they have properly rated devices and have no evidence of overheating or excessive corrosion. If problems are found in those areas, a more thorough inspection of all the connections should be undertaken, and repairs done by a licensed Red Seal electrician. Insurance companies may require either of these approaches, along with a signed letter from the electrician, to fully cover a home after purchase or when issuing a new policy.
Ari Marantz is the owner of Trained Eye Home Inspection Ltd. and a Registered Home Inspector (RHI)(cahpi.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
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
