Nail polish bottles can lead to sticky situations
Q I have many bottles of nail polish that I am unable to open. I have tried running them under hot water, and using pliers, but still I’m unable to twist the top off or pry them open. It is very frustrating. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.
A Dried nail polish acts like regular glue, making lids sticky and difficult to open. Begin by wrapping a rubber band around the bottle. Submerse the bottle in hot water for 5 minutes. Twist the bottle cap until it opens. If you do not have a rubber band, you may want to wear rubber gloves while you twist the bottle lid. Once open, use a cotton swab and nail polish remover to clean the area around the opening of the bottle. Next, coat the opening with petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to prevent the lid from becoming stuck in the future. Close the lid.
Q I have a huge ant hill in my garden. How can I get rid of it?
A One option is to sprinkle the ant hill with tea tree oil, then pour boiling water onto the hill. Or sprinkle the hill with a combination of 1 cup (250 mL) borax and 2 tbsp (30 mL) icing sugar, if there are no pets or small children in the area. Cornmeal sprinkled onto ant hills is a safer alternative when pets or children are around.
FEEDBACK FROM SMART CONTRIBUTORS Re: Storing potatoes
■The onions in Anne’s potato A box are causing the potatoes to sprout. Garlic will also affect potatoes in this way. Submitted by Shirley
■To the person who stores her potatoes in the pantry in a wooden box with onions on the bottom. Never store onions and potatoes together. Onions give off a gas that accelerates sprouting in potatoes. Also, storing potatoes in the cold temperature of your refrigerator will turn its starch into sugar more quickly, so that you’ll be left with a sweet, gritty potato. Submitted by Laurie
Re: Extra greeting cards
Someone was asking about what to do with unused greeting cards. Just thought I’d let you know that some correctional centres keep donated cards on hand. These are given out to inmates who have no money, but would like to send a card to loved ones, particularly if they find themselves in custody over the holidays. Submitted by Barbara
IN THE BATHROOM
■Young adults unthinkingly leave metal cans along the surround of the bathtub, leaving ugly metal rings (hard to get off ). Take the plastic top off a metal spray can, and place it over the bottom of the can; problem solved. Submitted by Peggy
■ Years ago, I noticed that my shower curtain always had a line of mildew along the hem. I decided to trim the curtain so that it would be shorter, and further from the floor. Since then, I have never had a mildew stain on the bottom of the curtain. Submitted by Hank
■ I removed the towel rod from our bathroom because the towels were never hung properly, and they were too crowded to dry. I replaced the rod with coat hooks. Now each member of the family is responsible for placing their own towel and robe on their personal hook. The bathroom is finally organized. Submitted by Laura Disclaimer: 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. 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.