How to keep strawberries and apples fresh longer
And peanut butter is still the best way to get gum out of hair — unless you’re allergic
Q What is the easiest and fastest way to cut an apple without a corer?
A In my opinion, the is easiest way to cut an apple is to stand it on the cutting board; then using a sharp knife, cut half an inch from the centre on all four sides of the apple around the core. Allow the sides to fall to the cutting board. Extra tidbit: To reduce the amount of browning on an apple after cutting, brush the cut edges with lemon juice. Put all four cut sides up against the core and secure with an elastic band. Toss into your lunch bag.
Q How do you get gum out of hair?
A Take a blob of peanut butter and run it through the hair. Gently slide the gum along the ends until it’s out. If peanut allergies are a concern, use WD-40, mayonnaise, coconut oil, cooking oil or cooking spray instead.
Q I have been asked to make a strawberry chocolate cake. I want to buy the strawberries five days ahead of time because I live in the country and won’t make it back to the city for a while. I am worried that the strawberries won’t last. Other than freezing the berries, do you have any tricks for making them last?
A Here is a great trick that will keep any kind of berries fresh longer. Do not wash berries until ready to use. Using a large baking sheet, wet a tea towel and lay it on the sheet. Spread berries onto the baking sheet so that they do not touch each other. Wet another tea towel and cover the berries before putting the pan inside the fridge. Berries will be beautiful, even after five days.
Q I have tried several commercial and homemade glass cleaners to clean the inside of my car windows, but they have always left streaks when the sun reflects off the windows. Do you have any suggestions for cleaning the inside of vehicle windows?
A Purchase a good quality squeegee, a wet mop and a window scraper. Amazing window cleaner recipe: In a gallon-size container mix one cup of rubbing alcohol and one teaspoon of cheap shampoo. Fill to the top with water. Spray windows and scrub with a wet window mop. Use a scraper to remove any dried-on bugs and leaves.
Avoid cleaning windows when the sun shines directly on them. The sun will dry the windows too fast, which will result in streaks.
Clean the water off the glass with a squeegee. Wipe the edges of the squeegee after removing water. Dry windows with either a good quality microfibre cloth or old newspaper. Crumple it up and rub the windows until they’re dry. For extra shine, put cornstarch in a bucket with water. Wipe windows and dry with a microfibre cloth or newspaper.
GENIUS FEEDBACK FROM CONTRIBUTORS
I would just like to offer a tip for cleaning ring around the collar. Put Sunlight laundry detergent on the collar, scrub a little and then wash as usual. This seems to be great for cleaning oil stains. What gave me the idea was the recommendation from our dermatologist for our son’s problem with oily hair to use Sunlight as a shampoo (solved the oily hair). So, one step further and it has solved the oily ring. Connie
I read your solution for dirty oven racks and oven cleaning. For racks, my wife and I learned that you must use oven cleaner (vinegar might work). The important trick is to wrap the racks with a garbage bag. Let them sit, wrapped, for four hours. Remove from the wrap and rinse off the dirt or stain. You may have to use oven cleaner and scrub to make sure the cleaner gets the stains out. Charles
I read your article about a person who has a difficult time getting urine odour out of her elderly mother’s clothes. I, too, had that problem. I sprayed the article of clothing with the enzyme kennel spray that they use to keep the urine odour out of concrete. You can dilute the solution and soak the clothes overnight, then wash them the next day. Test the clothes for colour fastness. Hope this helps. Michelle 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.