Reena Nerbas
Soak fingers in cola or hot water to remove glue
Dear Reena: I am looking for a solution for cleaning the toilet bowl, instead of the bottle of blue solution from the store. Pat
Make that toilet bowl sparkle by pouring a little shampoo or dish soap onto a pumice stone and gently rubbing the inside of the toilet bowl to remove stains. Or clean the toilet with a product called Iron Out, following the directions on the bottle. Dear Reena: What is your trick to get Crazy Glue off fingers? Gloria
When this happens, soak — for at least 15 minutes — your fingers in one of the following: cola, the hottest water that you can stand or acetone. Gently pry the glue off your fingers and wash.
Dear Reena: Is there a problem using homemade fire starters made of sawdust and wax or dryer lint and wax in fireplaces? I am concerned about wax creating a coating in the chimney. Jean
Dryer lint, egg cartons, pencil shavings, empty toilet paper rolls and sawdust are suitable fire starters for inside fireplaces. Wax additions are better left for outdoor fireplaces, because as you said, wax buildup in chimneys can become a problem over time. An alternative to homemade wax fire starters is to save old newspapers and layer one loosely over top of another. Dry layers for several months. Toss in the fire as a fire starter. Be sure to use black and white ink paper only. Re: Ants • When I lived in Truro, Nova Scotia, I had ants all over my kitchen and in the cat food. My friend suggested I try whole clove powder spray. I sprayed under the kitchen sink where I found the ants had come up from the basement. They disappeared and my kitchen smelled lovely. Next season, I added more clove powder and I never had another ant, anywhere.
Ninon • I was appalled at your answer to use Raid to get rid of ants when we do have non-toxic products available on the marketplace that will also get rid of ants.
Louise
Tips of the week
• Use a paste of cigar ashes or cigarette ashes on furniture to remove watermarks or scratches. • When measuring shortening or butter, dip the cup or spoon in hot water first. The grease will slide right off. • To accurately measure flour without sifting (which is often the difference between cakey and moist brownies): Whisk or stir the flour a bit before measuring, since flour settles. • Brush a little clear nail polish on the undersides of metal containers to prevent rust marks on countertops. • Sweet’n Sassy BBQ Sauce: Mix a few spoonfuls of jelly into your favourite BBQ sauce. Brush over chicken or ribs toward the last few minutes of grilling. Or add jelly to bottled vinaigrette salad dressing to enhance the flavour. • Erase deodorant streaks by rubbing pantyhose over white areas. The nylon lifts the marks like magic. 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.