Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
Ironing will help your mask look sharp
QUESTION – Is there merit to ironing the masks? I have a routine: When I come back into my condo, I immediately wash my hands and mask. When my mask is dry, I iron to get the wrinkles out and to reset the pleats. P.S.: I always enjoy your tips! Thanks, Gisèle
ANSWER – According to some experts, ironing your mask is an extra step in sanitization; however, this will only work for fabrics that do not melt from the heat of the iron. The overall consensus is that washing with hot water and heavy-duty detergent will sufficiently kill bacteria and clean masks. Ironing will help the mask look nice, but is not necessary.
QUESTION – I am hoping you might be able to direct me, as I am trying to remove laundry labels placed by a personal care home on articles belonging to my aunt who is now deceased. These articles are in very good condition and need to go to some needy individuals, but before donating them I feel compelled to remove the labels with her name on them. Any suggestions other than blacking out her name would be most gratefully accepted. Thank you very much for your attention to this request; keep safe and well in these troubled times. Barbara
ANSWER – I am very sorry to hear about your aunt. This is a common grievance, since the labels are glued on in order to stay secure. Consider spraying the edge of the label with WD-40 or rubbing alcohol to loosen the glue. Leave for 20 minutes and then peel the label. Another option is to press the label with an iron; while the fabric is hot, peel the label off.
TIMELY FEEDBACK:
• Masks should not be stored in plastic bags after being used. They need to dry out, so store in a paper bag. We were told this at a senior talk on the pandemic. Love your column. Claudia
• Love your column! Just a further suggestion regarding the care of masks: After you launder your reusable mask, put it into a paper envelope rather than a plastic bag. Have a set of envelopes, one for each day, and rotate them. This saves on plastic pollution. D.
• This is in regard to butter stored in the fridge being too hard to spread onto grilled cheese sandwiches. If Wayne owns a microwave, he can soften a bit of butter that way; intermittent short "zaps" is all he needs. Otherwise, put a bit of butter in the pan, melt and spread to evenly coat surface of pan, then put down one slice of bread. Put cheese on top of bread. When cheese starts to melt and/or when bread starts to toast on bottom, remove bread and set aside. Melt another bit of butter in pan/grill and place second slice of bread in the melted butter. Assemble sandwich and continue grilling. This method is a bit more fiddly but perfect for someone who really wants to use butter and doesn’t have a microwave. Linda
• Here’s what I do to "nutritionize" grilled cheese: In the summer, especially, take a lot of lettuce from the garden and stuff it into the sandwich as soon as it’s off the griddle. The lettuce stays surprisingly crunchy. Or take a handful of kale, chop it coarsely and place it on one buttered slice of bread and top it with the cheese. Then add the other slice. Melt a bit of butter in the griddle to cook one side, flip the sandwich and add a bit more butter if necessary. Very chewy and delicious. Maureen
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
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.
