Dear Reena: Quite a while ago, you addressed the problem of black streaks on Corelle dinner plates. I remember that you had to put the plates in hot or boiling water but I don't remember what else you put into the water to take away the stains. Would you address this please?
Linda
Dear Linda: In my second book, I talk about a recipe that I created called, "Corellabunga."
This will bring your dishes back to their original colour. In a large pot, combine 3 cups vinegar, 4 cups water and 2 Tbsp citric acid; bring to a boil. Set a Corelle dish in the boiling mixture for five minutes (the water must cover the dish). Once dry, your dishes will look brand new. If the black marks are scratched into the glass, the marks are permanent.
Dear Reena: My new front load HE washer booklet doesn't answer the one question I have.
In the past, I added borax when I washed towels, to help get rid of any lingering odours. Can I still do this, with my new HE frontload washer and/or do you have a better idea?
Denise
Dear Denise: If you have any doubts, it is always best to contact the manufacturer directly. I can tell you that I add borax, vinegar or washing soda to my front-load washer and have never had a problem with my machine.
Dear Reena: I have two of your books and I use them regularly, but I have a problem for which I do not know if there is a cleaning solution: bronze grave markers.
Over the years, the letters turn a greenish colour and I have not found a solution to clean these markers to bring them back to their original state. Any ideas?
Ronnie
Dear Ronnie: Patina is very common on bronze metals which are exposed to moisture and air. Once oxidized, cleaning has little success, even with commercial products.
Worth a try: make a paste of lemon juice and baking soda. Rub this solution into the grave markers using a soft cloth. Leave for 30 minutes. Wipe with a soft damp cloth and polish with paste wax (not automobile wax).
Coating the markers with wax helps to repel moisture and guards against future discoloration. Worst case scenario, spray with WD-40 and wipe (test on an inconspicuous area first). Feedback from a reader
Dear Reena: I came across an article that was in my newspaper regarding a woman who had something sticky on the bottom of her iron. Just thought I'd pass on an old, much used, solution.
I've spent a fair amount of time travelling and having to rely on the irons provided in hotels. The easiest solution I've found to remove sticky residue from an iron is simply to run the iron, usually on a satin fabric type setting, over a fabric softener sheet. I always throw a couple in my luggage; one to keep things smelling a little fresher, but secondly to clean the nasty irons I've encountered through the course of my travels. Works wonders.
Gaylene Cheesy goodness bread:
Make or purchase baked pizza crust. Top the crust with 1 cup /3 Italian salad dressing, and 1 tsp /4 of each of the following: salt, garlic powder, dried oregano, thyme (or 1 tsp Italian spice). Sprinkle with 4 Tbsp Parmesan cheese and half cup shredded mozzarella or marble cheese. Bake at 400 F for 15 mins. or until golden brown.
Fabulous Tip of the Week:
If you are battling dandruff, crush up a few Ibuprofen medicine tablets. Drop them into your shampoo bottle to combat unsightly flakes.
Jan Cooper Reena is a popular speaker and author of the best-selling Household Solutions 1 with Substitutions, Household Solutions 2 with Kitchen Secrets and Household Solutions 3 with Green Alternatives. To book Reena to present a workshop, call 204-320-2757. To submit questions and tips, go to her website: householdsolutions.org
