Dear Reena: We have rediscovered a relative鈥檚 chinaware from the 1950s. The style is quite amazing for that period of time. But we do not know whether or not it is dishwasher safe. I鈥檓 thinking it isn鈥檛 because of its age and the lack of automatic home dishwashers at that time. So the question is, what is the difference between being dishwasher safe and not being dishwasher safe? What happens if we wash the dishes in the dishwasher? Would it matter if we turned off the heated dry cycle?
David
Dear David: This is one of those long-standing debates where china owners differ. Some experts claim they can tell the difference between china washed in the dishwasher several times, versus hand-washed china. Hand washing is the safest method for cleaning china unless your dishwasher offers a setting specifically designed for fine china. Harsh detergents containing bleach along with high water temperature can play a big part in damaging china, especially hand-painted china or pieces weakened by tiny surface cracks.
Dishes with gilt trim may be damaged from high water temperature or water force. If you choose to put dishes in the dishwasher, select cold water, use mild dishwasher detergent and air dry.
听
Dear Reena: My mom is turning 72 this week and I am trying to make a home spa for her birthday. Can you give me an idea for a cheap homemade face-mask treatment?
Vera
Dear Vera: Nice idea! Combine one tablespoon of regular plain yogurt with one teaspoon of soft honey. Apply to face and leave for seven minutes. Pat and rinse with a clean, hot washcloth.
听
Dear Reena: We recently moved into a new home. When I unpacked my silk flowers, I was horrified to see that they are completely squished and wrinkled. How can I remove the wrinkles?
Darnia
Dear Darnia: Soak the flowers upside down in a bucket of warm sudsy water for 15 minutes. Allow them to dry and reshape them when damp.
Another option is to let the steam from a hot shower draw out the wrinkles.
You could try a heat gun but I think you鈥檒l find it less effective and more time consuming.
听
Readers鈥� feedback
Re: Car windows and stove grease
The absolute best way to clean everything inside a car (and deodorize it at the same time) is to use coffee. Take leftover coffee from your pot and two wash cloths and go to town. You can literally clean everything with this, including door panels.
As for the grease on the floor around the stove, purchase a container of waterless GOJO and spread it out on the grease. Give it a couple of minutes, and then use a damp cloth to wipe it up. This also works very well for cleaning marks off walls, fridges and everything else and makes your kitchen smell incredible.
Robert
Life just got easier
鈥� Here is a good idea for people with dogs. When someone comes to the door, all dogs want to see who it is. Purchase a baby gate and mount it between the inside and outside door. When mounting the gate, make sure that the dog can鈥檛 squeeze underneath. Then you can open your door to see who is there and the dog cannot get out.
Robert
鈥� We head down south every winter and always shut off our water to prevent floods. Before leaving we also plastic wrap the toilet. This prevents unwanted pests from crawling up pipes and living in our home (the lid doesn鈥檛 always deter pests).
Miranda
Note: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first.
听
Check Reena鈥檚 website 鈥� reena.ca 鈥� to send tips and questions, to find missed columns or mislaid solutions, or to engage Reena to speak at an upcoming event.
