Calamari calamity leaves fridge reeking
I HAD a calamari spill in my fridge, which unfortunately was not detected for several days, and it’s causing a smell. I have wiped the entire fridge and contents down with a Jik solution, placed crystal cat litter in trays, left pineapple peels, ground coffee and vanilla in the fridge, and emptied an entire box of bicarb powder into the bottom of the fridge and in the trays. It’s two weeks down the line and still the smell remains. – KT, Port Elizabeth.
In the light of all your efforts, which should have worked for a normal spill, it seems that the odour must have permeated the actual lining of the fridge.
This is what happens when a freezer fails in a power failure while people are on holiday, for instance, and the food inside goes off. The freezer then becomes unusable.
You could try the rather drastic treatment that a reader used on a smelly freezer. ‘’A le R” wrote: “I read the item in your column about the bait smell in the freezer. Something that definitely works, even for sour milk that spilt in the boot of my car, is formalin, obtainable from the pharmacy. It was used in the old days to preserve animals and birds.
“Spray in the freezer and leave it in the sun for two days. Wash out with Jik and leave the chest open for about three days. This will eliminate the smell. Just be careful and wear a mask when spraying with the formalin, because of the fumes.”
We recently enclosed a patio with sliding doors and a polycarbonate IBR roof. Although we spent many cold winter days basking in the warmth, we’ve been warned that the area could become unbearably hot in summer. I’ve had some quotes for various blinds but they are very expensive. What would be the most successful insulation in this case? – VH, Port Elizabeth.
Good quality blinds would be essential if the patio is north or west facing, even with the ventilation of the sliding doors. An alternative could be a retractable awning that shades the glass areas when needed. Another possibility is a ceiling fan. If the roof proves to be a problem, you could speak to paint dealers about a heat-resistant paint that might help.
I have a Carol Boyes ice bucket in stainless steel which has rust marks on it, and stainless steel lids for glass dishes, also with rust marks on them. How can I get rid of these marks? – Cindy, East London.
It’s unusual for stainless steel to become rusted. It can be caused by exposure to chlorine-based sanitisers or bleaches, which should be thoroughly rinsed off if they are used.
I spoke to Dave Simpson of Dynachem, whose stainless steel polish has previously been given the thumbs up by several readers of this column. It is available in a 500ml spray can.
I would strongly suggest a thorough cleaning with this, or a product such as Goddard’s stainless steel polishing paste, rather than use any abrasives. You should find Dynachem products in hardware stores.
Home market
I inherited some old sheet music recently and was wondering if I could find a good home for it through your column? – Carol, 084-811-8832; (041) 368-7420.
I am looking for a mixing bowl for my Kenwood mini food mixer, Model A361. I would appreciate any help. – Lorraine, 082-966-8445
We once had a small, most useful grill. I think it was called a Berda TV Grill. I haven’t been able to find a replacement. If anyone has such an appliance in good condition, I would be pleased to hear from you. – Enid, (041) 368-3903.