Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
Cut the bitterness right out of cucumbers
Question: As gardening season approaches, I am thinking ahead to previous challenges. The problem is that my garden cucumbers always taste bitter. Do you have any solutions to get rid of the bitter flavour? Thanks, Meg
Answer: This old trick works on bitter garden and store-bought cucumbers. Cut the end off the cucumber. Use the detached piece to rub the exposed cucumber end. The cucumber releases a white foam. Repeat the process at the other end of the cucumber. Peel and cut as usual, and no more bitter taste. Another option is to select a different type of cucumber seed or produce.
Extra cucumber tip: Make a refreshing summer facial spa mask. Blend together in a food processor one peeled and chopped cucumber, half a cup plain yogurt and one tablespoon milk powder. Smooth this mixture over your face to cleanse and close skin pores. Leave for 10 minutes and rinse with cool water.
Question: I wear rubber gloves for doing dishes. I buy them at the dollar store. Over the years I have accumulated dozens of gloves for the right hand and thrown away dozens of gloves for the left hand. I’m left-handed and find it’s that hand that gets the pokes and holes from knives and other sharp items during dishwashing. I’ve tried to think of how I can repair the small hole in the rubber glove, to no avail. Thanks, Bethany
Answer: Although there is no effective way to fix torn rubber gloves, if you always wear out one rubber glove, start saving all the good gloves and by turning half of them inside out you will gain a few extra pairs, or cut good fingertips off one pair of torn rubber gloves and put them into torn glove fingertips to reinforce them.
Also, consider alternative uses for rubber gloves.
Cut them into circles — they make great non-slip grips for everything such as a stuck jar lid.
Cut the fingers off a torn rubber glove and slip them over your mop and broom handles — that way when you lean them against the wall, they don’t slide or create marks on the wall.
Cover chair feet with the finger of rubber gloves to protect floors.
Cut off the index finger piece from the torn rubber glove to create an ideal sheath for your finger to sort through a stack of papers.
Cornstarch is a star
Sparkling windows: Clean windows as normal, then put cornstarch in a pail with water (enough to soak a cloth), wipe the windows and dry with a clean cloth. It really works — I’ve tried it myself.
Avoid athlete’s foot: Sprinkle cornstarch on feet and in your shoes to absorb moisture, deodorize and reduce friction.
Water-free dog bath: Sprinkle cornstarch onto fur and rub vigorously. Brush your dog. The cornstarch will absorb dirt and oils from your dog’s fur. This works on human hair as well.
Grease remover: Sprinkle cornstarch onto fabric and leave for a few hours. Wash with heavy-duty detergent and water. Make sure grease spot is gone before transferring fabric to the dryer.
Body powder: Put a couple of drops of perfume into a sealable bag with two cups cornstarch. Shake and apply to face or body.
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
Don't cry: Use peanut butter to clean up spilled milk
Question: I have frosted glass in my pantry door. The one side is plain glass but, on the inside, it is frosted. I can’t seem to get kid spills off the inside of the door (chocolate milk, for instance). Any suggestions? Alex
Answer: I apply a small amount of smooth peanut butter onto the chocolate milk, leave it for five minutes and scrape it off easily with a plastic putty knife or a green abrasive pad (not an SOS pad). Then clean the glass in the usual manner with either my Squeaky-Clean window recipe or a super-duper solution that works best for you. (Squeaky-Clean window recipe: In a spray bottle, combine one teaspoon (5 ml) of inexpensive shampoo, 1/4 cup (60 ml) rubbing alcohol and fill remaining portion of the bottle with white vinegar. Spray and wipe. For extra shine, make a paste of cornstarch and water, wipe mirrors and wipe with a clean cloth.
Question: What can I use to clean the non-removable rubber seal on my garbage disposal? David
Answer: The best tools that I am aware of for tackling this job are either a narrow toilet brush or a bottle brush. The bristles won’t damage the seal, and either brush is perfect for scrubbing away old food particles.
Question: What can I use to clean the floor in my acrylic shower stall? Nothing seems to work. Thank you, Timothy
Answer: Into a spray bottle combine two cups of white vinegar and one tablespoon of Dawn dish soap. Use the steam from a hot shower to your advantage and clean the shower floor shortly after use. Choose a non-scratching abrasive pad (this is key to making the job easier) and spray the floor with a liberal amount of the solution.
Question: I can’t seem to solve the problem of gravies and sauces separating after being frozen. I have tried cornstarch as the thickener instead of flour with no luck. Any suggestions? Maryanna
Answer: Gravy may be frozen for several months. To prevent "skin" from forming on the top, lay a piece of wax paper or plastic wrap directly on the surface of the gravy before covering the container. If you know you will be freezing gravy, try to use as little fat and milk as possible, so that it does not separate when thawed. You can reduce the chances of separation greatly if you run the gravy through a blender or food processor before freezing.
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
Cooking perfect chicken is all about the temperature
Question: How do I bake chicken breast without drying it out? I either end up with what tastes like rubber, or dry and flavourless meat. Thanks, Gaylene
Answer: The secret to perfect chicken every time is an oven thermometer. Safe cooked chicken temperature is finished at 74 C. Before baking the chicken, soak it in a brine mixture for about a half an hour. Into a plastic container add four-cups water (or enough water to cover the meat) and about one tablespoon of salt. Pat dry and brush both sides of the chicken with butter or oil. Season or brush with sauce. I prefer to bake chicken breast at 175 C for about 40 minutes. Others prefer a higher temperature of 230 C for 18 minutes. Whichever you prefer, check the temperature before eating.
Question: Which lightbulbs are the most efficient for a summer cottage? Cindy
Answer: LED and CFL bulbs are great energy efficient options. A compact fluorescent lamp usually the curly bulbs, are typically used in enclosed fixtures. For lights that remain on for a long time, both LED and CFL will save a lot of energy. LED bulbs are likely the number one choice because an eight-watt LED bulb emits as much light as a 60-watt incandescent bulb. Incandescent and halogen bulbs are not your energy efficient buddies, as they have the highest wattage.
Question: I am having a problem removing rust stains from a white T-shirt. They appeared after washing so I am assuming the stains came from the washer tub. Can anything be done? I appreciate your help. Daniel
Answer: Before tackling your fabrics, find out what is causing rust on your clothing. Check the machine or your water pipes or your bleach dispenser to see if any rust is gathering. Are there any leaks in the washing machine? Read your troubleshooting guide in your manufacturer’s manual. If you determine where the rust is coming from and solve the problem, your laundry will be a lot more fun to handle. If you want to clean your machine and remove rust build-up, consider using a product called, "iron out" available at hardware stores. Use it according to directions and ventilate, this removes rust in washing machines, as well as dishwashers.
For fabrics your best bet is to pour either lemon juice or three per cent hydrogen peroxide onto the area. Sprinkle the stain with cream of tartar. Leave the white shirt in the sun for a day and wash. Sun is a wonderful mild bleaching agent and so is hydrogen peroxide; however, be sure to test on an inconspicuous area first. Repeat until the stain is gone.
Question: Please tell me an easy trick for cleaning gutters. I haven’t cleaned them in years. Garry
Answer: Clogged rain gutters prevent water from dripping away from the foundation of your home. They should be cleaned twice each year. When soil around the home becomes wet, serious challenges can result. The easiest tools for cleaning rains gutters are scaffolding and work gloves. If scaffolding is unavailable, a sturdy ladder will do the trick. After the leaves and debris are scooped away, slimy brown goo will remain. While this may not obstruct water, it will smell. Wash gutters using a garden hose or a pressure washer. Sometimes it may be worth it to call a professional, especially if you are uneasy on a ladder.
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.