Windsor Star

Tackle, rather than toss, stained microfibre chairs

- REENA NERBAS Solutions & Substituti­ons Reena Nerbas is a popular motivation­al presenter for large and small groups; check out her website — reena.ca — to ask a question or share a tip. Disclaimer: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting

Q I own two old microfibre chairs that have multiple stains that range from pets and milk to dirt and soup. The chairs look like they are ready to hit the garbage, should I take the plunge and toss them out?

A Close the lid on the garbage and forget about throwing the chairs out. The stains should come out with the help of rubbing alcohol. Pour the alcohol onto the stains, and scrub with a nail brush. Swipe the stains back and forth and the chair should finish clean.

Q I made a turkey and used the drippings to make gravy. I poured the drippings into a container and once it cooled, I added cornstarch and put it in the fridge overnight. Right before serving, I heated the contents in a pot, but the gravy would not coagulate and it remained separated and inedible. What happened?

A Gravy is the finishing touch to a wonderful holiday turkey dinner. It was wise to pour the drippings into a container and put it into the fridge. Next time after the drippings have cooled in the fridge, remove the layer of white fat. Do not add cornstarch or flour to the drippings until you discard the fat. Cook as normal and the gravy should taste spectacula­r.

Q While putting up the Christmas tree, my pants, shirt and hands became layered with tree sap. Can you help?

A Smear your hands, shirt and pants with mayonnaise. The tree sap will come right off. Follow with a solution of dish soap and water. Blot the area and wash the pants and shirt according to the care label.

Q Since having children, my hair has become very frizzy. I use several commercial frizz reducing products. I have noticed that when I dry my hair with a towel, it creates more frizz, and using my hair dryer also increases the frizz. Is there any other way to quickly dry my hair?

A Squeeze (don’t rub) your hair with a cotton T-shirt instead of a towel. Cotton will absorb moisture without frizzing. Or wear a

microfibre after-shower head wrap. Use the cool setting on your hair dryer instead of hot.

Q What is the difference between jam and jelly?

A Jelly is made by crushing fruit and then straining the juice. The juice is boiled usually with sugar and added pectin. Together, they react and result in a thicker consistenc­y. The fruit in jam comes from fruit pulp or crushed fruit. And because of that, jam is less stiff than jelly.

WHO KNEW?

Use coffee filters to hold tacos ■ while eating. The filter makes eating tacos less messy. Submitted By: Taylor

I came to the end of my Nutella ■ jar and had a brain storm that turned into a tasty win! Place a few scoops of vanilla ice cream into the jar and … eat with a spoon. Submitted by: Ryan

When my expensive Tom shoes ■ were damaged by water, I was determined to find a solution. I found success by rubbing my new Tom canvas shoes with a piece of beeswax. After that, I used my blow dryer to heat the wax and soften it so that I could coat both shoes evenly. The shoes feel a little stiff but the water beads off, and I know they will last me a long time. Submitted by: Candace

I read a study that said; adding ■ one tablespoon of glycerine to Christmas tree pots reduces the loss of pine needles. Submitted by: Margret

 ?? GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOT­O ?? After the drippings from turkey gravy have cooled in the refrigerat­or, remove the layer of white fat.
GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOT­O After the drippings from turkey gravy have cooled in the refrigerat­or, remove the layer of white fat.
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