Dear Reena: I own a beautiful black leather chair that I somehow got a drop of nail polish or superglue on. I am not sure which it is.
Do you have a solution in your magic bag that will work on either?
Terrie
Dear Terrie: Although superglue instantly bonds to surfaces, it has one weakness: acetone. On a variety of surfaces, both superglue and nail polish can be removed using an old toothbrush soaked with acetone. Acetone is the key ingredient in many nail polish removers, and may be purchased on its own at hardware stores.
The bad news is that acetone will discolour fabrics, and dyed leather is a perfect candidate for discolouration.
Another option is to place ice onto the area and freeze the glue. Chip off glue and lightly sand, being careful not to damage the leather.
Or heat the area using a hair dryer and, as the spot softens, peel off the mess.
Rather than trying to remove the glue or nail polish, it might be safer to cover the area with a permanent marker or leather touch-up paint.
Dear Reena: How do you keep strawberries from spoiling? Please tell me what I need to do before this year’s gardening season.
Florence
Dear Florence: Do not wash berries until ready to use. Using a large baking sheet, wet a tea towel and lay it on the sheet. Spread berries onto the baking sheet so that they do not touch each other. Wet another tea towel and cover the berries before putting the pan inside the fridge. Berries will be beautiful, even after five days.
Extra Tip: You can take this one step further by soaking the strawberries in vinegar and water before laying them onto the baking sheet. That way they are already clean and ready for eating throughout the week.
Discover and share:
Dear Reena: I would like to share something I discovered while making salsa. Every time I made salsa it was runny and I wanted a thicker consistency. I worked out a solution.
After the salsa has boiled for a while, I ladle off as much liquid as I can. It becomes so that I only need to add one can of tomato paste to the salsa.
The liquid that I have taken off, I boil a little longer in a separate pot and use as tomato juice or add to soups. It works wonderfully.
Vicky
Dear Reena: I discovered by accident that when I leave a roll of paper towels in the drum of my front-loader washer machine with the door open between laundry days, it alleviates the musty smell. I also use vinegar in the softener compartment with every wash load.
Rosalind
Facts about honey:
• Honey is a healthier sweetener than table sugar. Honey contains many nutrients such as thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, nicotinic acid, biotin, folic acid, Vitamin C, iron, copper, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, calcium salts, enzymes, proteins, inhibine (antibiotic activity), growth factors and more.
• Honey is processed by the bee into a state where the energy of the honey can pass directly into your bloodstream without requiring any work by the body.
• Recent research shows that honey causes only half as many cavities as table sugar because it melts into a liquid very quickly and does not adhere to teeth.
• Table sugar contains no nutrients.
Fabulous Tips
• To remove hairspray caked on mirrors, use very hot water instead of window cleaner.
• Add a lint brush to your list of cleaning supplies. As you travel throughout your home, sweep the lint brush over any area with hair or pet fur.
Check Reena’s website — reena.ca — to send tips and questions, to find missed columns or mislaid solutions, or to engage Reena to speak at an upcoming event.
