Dear Reena: I recently bought a stainless-steel thermos with foil wrapped around the exterior. Although the instructions say, 鈥渄ishwasher safe,鈥� the foil peeled after four washes. Now, the foil is half gone and looks unappealing. Should I toss the thermos or is there a remedy to fix it?
Len
Since the foil on the thermos peeled due to the heat of the dishwasher water, you have two options:
You can contact the manufacturer and inquire about a refund. Or, continue similar steps to peel the remaining foil. Put the thermos into a stainless-steel pot, and fill it with enough water to cover the thermos.
Bring the water to a boil for at least five minutes. Use tongs to remove the thermos, and gently scrub the remaining foil off with a non-scratch abrasive pad. Your thermos will be stainless steel in colour and ready to use.
Dear Reena: We bought a newer house and found that, upon washing the kitchen floor, the linoleum has a yellow stain/tinge to it, around the sink area mainly. The colour is supposed to be white. I tried a couple of cleaners, but have not had success in brightening the colour. Is there something I can use to help this issue?
Janette
It sounds as though the previous owner kept a mat at the sink area. The sulphur used in manufacturing the mat has left you with a yellow stain, which is often permanent.
With so many vinyl and linoleum products on the market, what works on one does not necessarily work on another. If your floor were more than 50 years old, it would most likely be linoleum. Since your home is newer, the floor is probably vinyl. Many people have found pouring three per cent hydrogen peroxide onto the floor every day for three days is helpful. Other people have great success by combining one-quarter cup OxiClean with one gallon hot water, and pouring the solution onto the area.
Another solution is bleach, but most people suggest that this application removes the floor's finish and shine. Lastly, mineral spirits are another treatment that people have told me worked for them. It is a shame that so many floors tend to yellow and discolour, most often from a rubber-backed rug or some other weight being left on one specific area.
Frozen-peach hint
Dear Reena: I just discovered a method for freezing peaches, and it is a wonderful time- and mess- saver. This works the same way as freezing whole tomatoes and it is so easy. Just freeze the whole peach, with skin and all, and, when it is time to use it, run it under hot water and the skin slips off. You are left with a beautiful ripe peach with no discolouration. I鈥檓 doing all 25 lbs. this way.
Val
Let the flowers bloom into spring
鈥� Before buying flowers for someone special, keep in mind that, typically, the more fragrant the flower, the shorter it will live.
鈥� If you ever make yourself a necklace using fresh flowers, be sure not to wear the flowers directly against your skin. Hang them slightly off of your shoulders because your neck sweats and will decrease the life of a flower necklace.
Did you know? In Hawaii, a woman wearing a flower on the right side of her head signifies that she is unavailable (much like the North American wedding ring). A flower on the left signifies that she is single, and a flower on the top centre of her head means she is taken, but still looking.
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. Ask a question or share a tip at reena.ca.
