Reena Nerbas
Dear Reena: I have a Le Creuset Dutch oven that I have owned for more than 30 years. I was cooking a tomato jam that had sugar in it and the temperature was too high and it burnt the bottom of the pan. I have tried to scrub the burnt substance with baking soda and vinegar.
I have boiled water with baking soda and dish soap, and there is still some burnt on residue left. Any suggestions?
Theresa
Adding the element of heat is smart, but instead of water and baking soda, pour enough vinegar into the pot to cover the bottom. Add baking soda and bring to a boil for five minutes.
Turn the element off, cover and leave overnight. Scrub in the morning. Unless there is a chance of permanent scratches, use an S.O.S pad.
Or sprinkle the inside of the pot with a layer of dishwasher detergent powder. Fill the pot one-quarter full with water. Boil for five minutes and remove from the element. Leave overnight and wash as normal.
Or leave cola in the pot to soak overnight, and scrub with an abrasive pad in the morning.
Some people get great results from leaving a fabric softener sheet to soak inside the pot with some water overnight, but it sounds like your pot needs a more aggressive solution.
Dear Reena: Over the years, stains have developed under planters sitting on concrete or patio pavers from water and fertilizer running through planters. Any solution to remove these white fertilizer stains?
Walter
Pour a liberal amount of vinegar onto the stain. Sprinkle with a liberal amount of salt and leave for 15 minutes. Scrub with a bristled brush. If the stains remain, rinse with water.
Combine 1/4 cup bleach with four litres of water. Pour onto the
area and scrub with an abrasive brush. Thoroughly rinse with water. Muriatic acid is a last resort, because it is a dangerous product if not used correctly. See label instructions before use. Dear Reena: Do you have a recipe for waterless hand cleaner? Sam
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that for a waterless hand cleaner to effectively kill germs, it must contain at least 60 per cent alcohol. Make your own peppermint hand sanitizer by combining: 1/2 cup aloe vera gel, 3/4 cup rubbing alcohol and 1/2 tsp peppermint essential oil. Mix and store in a spray bottle.
Dear Reena: Is it possible to make my own real vanilla extract for baking?
Deepak
Let’s begin with proper storage. Vanilla doesn’t typically go bad, but if stored in a warm place, it will deteriorate and lose flavour.
Refrigeration is not recommended, but if it’s a choice between a hot storage area and refrigerator, opt for the fridge.
Pure vanilla extract is made by “percolating” chopped vanilla beans with consumable alcohol and water. Combine one vanilla bean with a container of vodka. Keep in mind that you will require patience, because the mixture needs to sit for about eight weeks to reach full strength. Attracting ladybugs to your garden: Many species of ladybugs eat aphids, which suck the life out of your plants.
• If you purchase ladybugs for your garden, release them in the evening, because while they do climb at night, they don’t fly then, which increases the chances that the ladybugs will stay put.
• Ladybugs can eat up to 50 aphids a day.
• Create an enticing environment for ladybugs by watering your garden and keeping the plants moist.
• Ladybugs are harmless to humans, but when threatened, they do emit a foul odour.
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.