Dear Reena: Some time ago, you gave a solution to get rid of the little flies that seem to take up residence in houseplants. The little things are really pesky. Could you please remind me of the solution you recommended?
Chris
Here is the House and Garden Bite-Back Recipe for Plants: In a one-gallon milk jug, combine 2 Tbsp dish soap, 1 Tbsp rubbing alcohol, dash of Tabasco sauce, 1 Tbsp canola oil and enough water to fill the jug. Pour mixture into a spray bottle and apply as needed.
Dear Reena: I purchased several pairs of the same brand of jeans, but they are about one half inch longer than I want in length, so rather than getting them hemmed I would like to try to shrink them. Can you please advise me as to the best method of how to do this?
Elaine
Dear Elaine: If the fabric is preshrunk, your laundering technique will not make much difference in the size. Heat is your best bet to shrink jeans, wash and dry on the highest heat settings.
Dear Reena: Three years ago. we built a new master bedroom and ensuite bathroom, which we finished using natural slate tile on the floors, walls and throughout the shower area. I have been able to find very little information on how to safely clean the slate without damaging it. The information that I have found has said to avoid acidic cleaners and to stick with mild household detergents. I have been using the all-natural eco-friendly laundry soap but leave most of the disinfection to my steam mop, which does a pretty good job. There are two problems that have arisen: We are starting to get what I assume is calcium or lime build-up on the shower floor and seat (white streaks that won’t steam off) and there is a small patch of black mildew in the silicone that seals the shower glass to the slate. Help!
Jennifer
Dear Jennifer: Add a small amount of vinegar to the mop water to combat white calcium buildup. While you wouldn’t want to use vinegar on a regular basis, it is helpful for cleaning slate once in a while in order to keep your slate looking shiny and new. Also, make sure to find out if your floor is sealable; because properly sealing your floor will also keep it looking great for years to come.
When it comes to mildew on silicone, use products that are abrasive enough to clean but won’t remove the silicone. Make a paste using three per cent hydrogen peroxide and borax.Gently scrub the area with an abrasive pad to remove all traces of mildew.
Dear Reena: A few years ago when I retired, my husband and I installed an engineered laminate floor. The effect is lovely. However, I have been frustrated with the manufacturer of that product since the week after we put it down.
A salesperson at our local hardware store, where we bought the flooring, recommended a hardwood floor cleaner that left a huge streaky mess when I used it to mop the floor. I tried several other products including clear water, vinegar-and-water solution, etc. At my age, 71, it is tough to get down on my hands and knees to wipe one square foot at a time with the warm water and/or vinegar-and-water solution and then having to dry it immediately to eliminate the water marks and streaks. Do you have any suggestions?
Val
Dear Val: Norwex sells a great microfibre mop that comes with both a wet and dry Velcro attachment; you may want to check it out. The dry attachment is used to pick up daily dust. If you use a mop such as this, you can wash the floor with the wet mop, vinegar and water. After you have washed the floor once, go over the entire surface again with the wet mop, but do not add any water or vinegar to the mop. This extra step polishes and slightly dries the floor, thereby removing watermarks. Vacuuming on a regular basis is also helpful in keeping your floors looking great.
Dear Reena: I always choose colourful cupcake liners when I bake cupcakes. Why does the cupcake liner separate from the cupcakes during baking?
Andrew
Dear Andrew: Some cupcake liners are made of thin paper and are more likely to separate during baking. Other liners have a wax coating that makes it difficult for batter to cling to the sides. Purchase your liners from a variety of manufacturers before trying anything else; cheaper liners can make a difference. Next, choose slightly larger eggs for your recipe. Fill liners half to two-thirds full so that the top of the cupcake holds onto the liner.
Reader tips:
• Chop fresh herbs such as celery leaves, parsley, savory, basil, etc., and put a little bit in each cube in an ice cube tray. Add just enough water to hold the herbs together. Freeze. Come time to cook, just pop out a spice cube. Add it to whatever you’re cooking.
Rekha
• I read in your column a question about removing dog-blood stains from the carpet. I have a messy cat and have used peroxide for years now. I keep a small bottle of straight peroxide handy to pour on pet stains, and lots of cheap paper towels to blot and rub. This works great for me.There aren’t many spots on my beige carpet anymore. Although peroxide will bleach the cat’s hair, it has never bleached anything else I have tried this on, but test on an inconspicuous area first.
Bonnie
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