Storing fresh ginger in the fridge

and worked like a charm. Then, my son came home for a visit and used it to heat up a few things. Now, I have a messy microwave, and I’m nervous about cleaning it. I don’t want to harm the interior, so how can I clean the inside to remove the reheated coffee and spilled sauces? — Lynette D., Gads- den, Alabama

Dear Heloise: I have been Lynette, I have an easy and reading your column in the quick way to remove odors Mining Journal, in Marquette, and spilled food. First, mix Michigan, for many years. about 2 tablespoons of bak- In a recent column, some- ing soda into 1 cup of water one was asking about stor- in a microwave-safe bowl. ing fresh ginger. Place inside the microwave

I found a tip in a maga- oven and turn it on high for zine years ago that suggested about 2 to 3 minutes. The storing it in a large glass jar, water should be boiling and submerging it in sherry or producing steam, which will white wine and keeping in loosen up anything stuck the refrigerator. You can cut in there. or grate off ginger as needed, Then, take a wet sponge toss it back in the jar and then or soft cloth and wipe out put it back in the refrigerathe interior. If anything is tor. It will last for months. stubborn and won’t come — Janice R., Marquette, off, use a little baking soda Michigan on a damp sponge and gently

Janice, that is a great hint! scrub in a circular motion. I’ve never heard of storing Baking soda has so many ginger like that before, but I uses for cleaning and deodor- think I’ll give it a try. Thanks izing that I had to list a num- for this idea! — Heloise ber of them and even a few recipes in my pamphlet “Heloise’s Baking Soda Hints and Recipes.” (Did you know the Lady Liberty’s interior was cleaned with baking soda?) To get a copy of this useful pamphlet, go to www.Heloise. com or send $5 along with a stamped, self-addressed, long envelope to: Heloise/Baking Soda, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001.

You’ll enjoy this economi- cal, easy-to-understand pam- phlet and the many uses for baking soda. It also works great as a little gift to a new neighbor or a housewarm- ing party, or even tucked into another kitchen item that’s also being gifted. — Heloise

Wash the can

Dear Heloise: Summer is not that far away, and many people will be drinking from soda and beer cans. Please advise them to find a way to wash the top of that can before taking a drink. Those cans are stored in warehouses where there are rats and insects that can, and do, crawl across the top of the cans.

Then, the cans are han- dled by people who do not wash their hands while loading and unloading the cans. It’s all too easy to get sick if you don’t properly clean the top and edge of cans before drinking from them. — Grace P., Fontana, California

Microwave mess

Dear Heloise: I got a new microwave oven last week and it was beautiful

TX 78279-5001