Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
Cupboard staple may resurrect damp cellphone
QUESTION – I dropped my cellphone in the toilet, and it is no longer working. Any solutions to fix this mess? Randy
ANSWER – Turn off your phone. If the battery is removable, take it out and dry the inside with a soft towel. Place the phone in a bowl of dry rice and leave for at least 24 hours. The rice is great for absorbing moisture. If the phone does not work, consult a professional.
QUESTION – How can I tell if my fridge is cold enough, according to the recommended temperature? Jaylen
ANSWER – Place a glass of water on a shelf in the fridge for at least 8 hours. Use a thermometer to test the temperature. The ideal temperature for a fridge is 4 C or lower. The freezer should be at -18 C or lower.
QUESTION – Do you have any easy solutions for removing fingerprints from stainless-steel appliances? Kate
ANSWER – Remove fingerprints on stainless steel appliances using a damp, soft cloth. Next, using a soft cloth, wipe the appliances with a small amount of coconut oil. Remove excess and polish.
Sweet Feedback
- I have read your column on keeping brown sugar soft, as well as other people’s solutions. So here is the best solution to keeping brown sugar soft. Marshmallows! That’s right, Marshmallows! Take two normal-sized marshmallows and put them in your bag of brown sugar and seal the bag as you normally would. Your brown sugar will stay soft for quite a while, guaranteed. With the old bag I just finished, I put marshmallows in it for at least three months and the brown sugar was still soft right to the bottom of the bag, without changing them. I have been using this method for over two years, and it works like a charm. Also, the best way to soften brown sugar if it is rock hard is to break off a sizeable chunk you need, place it in a bowl and put it in the microwave for about a minute or so. It will end up nice and soft. Philippe
- Cloth face masks should be washed, often, using hot water. I recommend once a day and if you are not able to wash your mask daily, it is better to purchase disposable masks. Robyn
Household Hints of the Week
- For crunchier coleslaw, cut a cabbage in half and soak it in salted water for an hour. Drain well and use.
- I just discovered a method for freezing peaches, and it is a wonderful time- and mess-saver. This works the same way as freezing whole tomatoes and it is so easy! Just freeze the whole peach, with skin and all, and when it is time to use it, run it under hot water and the skin will slip off. You are left with a beautiful ripe peach with no discolouration. I’m doing my whole 25 pounds this way. Val
- Ready for a little homemade fun? Make your own Silly Putty with this recipe. Combine one part white Elmer’s glue with one part cornstarch in a bowl and mix well. Let dry until the putty is workable. You might need to add a bit more glue or cornstarch. (This may not work well on a humid day.) Store in an airtight container.
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 to: info@reena.ca. Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca.
Renovation & Design
The best way to keep that face mask clean and proper
QUESTION – I never in my life thought I would be asking this question, but what is the best way to clean and sanitize my cloth mask? Melvin
ANSWER – I know what you mean! Use your washing machine and dryer to clean your mask. I prefer to use hot water, but others opt for warm. Use heavy-duty laundry detergent. You can also hand-wash the mask, but the lining may become damaged if you scrub too hard.
Extra tips for mask use:
- Avoid touching and fiddling with your mask. Unless your hands are clean, leave the mask alone.
- Secure and remove your mask by holding onto the straps, not the fabric over your face.
- Try to keep your mask clean. Carry your mask in a small plastic bag, not in your hand or in your pocket.
- It is recommended you wear a clean mask every day.
- If you disagree with mask wearing or do not wear a mask due to health reasons, avoid shaming others around you who opt to wear a mask.
QUESTION – When I eat cucumbers from my garden, they taste bitter. Is this due to the type of cucumber I planted? Pearl
ANSWER – Cucumbers naturally produce a chemicals called cucurbitacins, which can cause them to taste bitter. Certain varieties taste more bitter than others; Carosello and Armenian are not as bitter as some of the others. Make sure to plant your cucumbers in rich, well, watered soil. Pick cucumbers in the morning. Cut the ends off the cucumber and, using the cut end, rub the exposed ends for a few seconds until they begin to foam, rinse to remove foam.
QUESTION – How can I get rid of the garlic smell on my fingers after peeling garlic? Soap and water don’t take the smell away. Kendra
ANSWER – Hold a stainless-steel object under running water. The smell on your fingers will disappear (this is the first tip I ever learned).
QUESTION – I purchased a memory-foam mattress topper for my bed, and I am really pleased with it. Unfortunately, since it is made of foam, the topper is off-gassing and resulting in a terrible odour. Since you cannot wash this product, I have been airing it outside and hanging it up indoors with a fan blowing on it. The smell has decreased somewhat, but it is still there. Any suggestions? Selena
ANSWER — Memory foam has a fascinating history. It was initially developed by NASA for the space program to help shield astronauts from high G-forces. It wasn’t until the 1980s that memory foam began to hit the consumer market in the form of medical cushions, disabled seating cushions and eventually as mattresses and pillows.
But I digress; memory foam does smell at first and needs to air out. In fact, few people are able to sleep with their new memory foam immediately after they open it. Most people find they need to leave the foam to air out for a couple of weeks, but the smell does eventually dissipate. For faster results, spray the mattress with vodka to remove odour or sprinkle the topper with baby powder or baking soda, leave for a few hours and then vacuum.
Outstanding Tips of the Week:
- I don’t know what I would do without nylon netting; there are so many uses for it. I tuck it in where I am likely to find spiders (around doors, the space between outside walls and concrete steps). I also secure netting inside heat vents with a rubber band, put it between sliding windows that have drainage holes and overtop of open pipes. I also fold netting over the blade of my knives to prevent accidental cuts. Erna
- If you are still using plastic grocery bags (instead of recyclable bags) and don’t know what to do with the mountain of bags collecting in your home, consider donating the bags to self-help; the bags will be reused instead of wasted.
- Crows in the garden? A balloon pop is a fast way to scare them away, but for long-term results, use a kite. Crows will think it is a bird and fly away to bother someone else.
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.