Rid yourself, and your car of those awful odours
Q: Is using vegetable oil on a new butcher block a good idea? Or, do I need to use some mineral oil or something like that?
A: For everyday cleaning, wipe butcher block with dish soap and water, and rinse with water. To sanitize, combine one part white vinegar into a spray bottle with four parts water. Spray and leave for 10 minutes, and then wipe.
When the time comes to oil butcher block, food-grade mineral oil is recommended. It prevents the wood from smelling rancid over time.
Butcher block is beautiful and durable, and can last for many years if cared for properly.
Q: I needed to replace a vehicle and my husband was kind enough to do the search and find a preowned one that is in good repair. But it smells of cigarette smoke and possibly pets.
The cigarette smell is the primary concern because I don’t find it easy to tolerate with mild allergies. I don’t know how to get it out.
A: Begin by thoroughly vacuuming and cleaning the interior of the vehicle including all vinyl, leather, carpet and upholstery. You may want to take this project on yourself or hire a professional. After the interior is clean, place an open bag of activated charcoal or cat litter in the vehicle for several weeks.
Also, instead of using car fresheners, store an open bar of soap in the car. When the fresh soap smell fades, grate the side of the soap with your keys, and the soap will once again freshen the air inside your vehicle. I do this, and my vehicle smells great.
Feedback from Readers Who Care: Another trick for peeling hard-boiled eggs quickly is to cool eggs with cold water, drain and then give the pot a good shake to crack the egg shells. Then immerse the eggs in cold water for easy peeling.
Normally, I have to wear nonsynthetic socks and leather shoes to avoid foot odours. However once in a while I’ll slip and wear a pair of gift socks or such, and then there’s trouble.
One day, after my morning shower I rubbed a bit of antiperspirant on my finger and applied it between and under my toes. There was a bit of a tingling sensation at first, but later in the day the evidence was in: no foot odour.
What a simple and elegant solution — no more baking soda foot baths or messy foot powders. Underarm deodorant is also “undertoe” deodorant. Amazing!
Timely Tips for Cleaning Water Bottles
The bottom of your water bottle is caked with crumbs and debris from dishwasher sediment. Gross! But, help is on the way. ■ Fill the bottle with a small amount of vinegar, dish soap and water. Close the lid and shake (not yourself, the bottle). Open the lid and rinse. ■ For plastic bottles, use a long knife with a rounded end to dig out any stuck on food. Rinse with water. ■ For metal bottles, use a rubber band to secure a small rag onto the end of a narrow handle of a plastic spatula. Scrub the bottom of the bottle and rinse with water. ■ Do not use boiling water on a metal bottle as it could misshape the bottle. ■ Buy a baby bottle brush for cleaning water bottles, if this is an ongoing chore. I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Missed a column? Can’t remember a solution? Need a speaker for an upcoming event? Check out my new videos/
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