Category: Solutions & Substitutions

By Reena Nerbas Cleaning an Exercise Ball Dear Reena, I have a large, vinyl exercise ball that I have tried to clean but it has sticky areas. Why would it be sticky? Is it starting to break down from age? Deb Dear Deb, Absolutely, rubber is a petroleum-based product that will eventually breakdown down over…

By Reena Nerbas Wet iPhone Dear Reena, I dropped my iPhone into the water. Is there anything that I can do to fix it, or is it garbage? Candace Dear Candace, Step 1: Turn the phone off immediately. Step 2: Dry the phone with a soft towel (not a hair dryer). Step 3: Fill a…

By Reena Nerbas Contributors Share Their Best Kept Secrets Potatoes, remove food stains from fingers. Slice a potato and use the exposed side to rub stained skin, wash as usual. Edna Real vanilla (not imitation) is great for keeping ticks and mosquitoes away. Wipe vanilla onto skin and let dry, mosquitoes will not bother you,…

By Reena Nerbas Non-Toxic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Dear Reena, Can you provide me with an inexpensive non-toxic toilet bowl cleaner? I am looking for something that I can use every day, without stripping the paint. I am also wondering if the toilet tank should ever be cleaned, if so how often do you recommend? Mary…

By Reena Nerbas Keep Furniture from Sliding Dear Reena, I have laminate flooring in my living room and leather furniture. Every time we sit down they slide a bit. How can I keep them from sliding? Regards, Randy Dear Randy, Purchase rubber gripper pads, they stop furniture from sliding. They are easy to use, just peel…

By Reena Nerbas Clumping Salt Dear Reena, What can I do to prevent salt from clumping in my saltshakers? Thanks, Vienna Dear Vienna, Add a little cornstarch or rice to your salt shakers, to prevent salt from clumping. Storing Garlic Dear Reena, Is it possible to store crushed garlic, so that it is ready-to-use? Shauna…

By Reena Nerbas Glue on Carpet Dear Reena, Can you please tell me your recipe for getting Gorilla Glue off carpet? I always enjoy hearing you on the radio. Illa Dear Illa, Gorilla Glue is extremely difficult to remove from carpet. You will need to: either cut it out with scissors, sand it off with…

By Reena Nerbas Cleaning Glass in Screen Door Dear Reena, I have a screen door and between the pains, I cannot get anything but liquid as it so narrow. I cannot remove the inner pane. What can I pour in there that would clean the inside glass? It looks terrible. Doreen Dear Doreen, Drape a…

By Reena Nerbas Organizing Winter Wear Dear Reena, What is the best way to organize winter clothing such as: mitts, scarves and toques? Merle Dear Merle, You are not alone, speaking as a mom of four; I needed to tackle this issue before it became out of hand. In our case, we built six wooden…

By Reena Nerbas Cat Scratches Leather Couch Dear Reena, My cat has put multiple nicks/scratches on my leather couch. How can I cover them, so they are not as noticeable? Linda Dear Linda, Scratches become less noticeable if shoe polish is color matched and applied to leather. However, be aware because shoe polish may transfer…

By Reena Nerbas Removing Window Decals Dear Reena, To deter birds from flying into my patio windows I put decals on the windows. I took the decals off and they have left sticky goo which I can’t remove. Do you have any advice? Anne Dear Anne, Your best bet is to wash the sticky residue…

By Reena Nerbas Peeling Garlic Dear Reena, I avoid purchasing fresh garlic bulbs, because I don’t like to take time to remove the peel from the bulbs. Do you have an idea of how to remove the peel without the headache? Blaine Dear Blaine, Place the garlic bulb inside a mason jar. Secure the lid…

By Reena Nerbas Wrinkled Vinyl Tablecloths Dear Reena, When we proceeded to set the tables for our church supper we discovered that 2 of our vinyl tablecloths had been carelessly folded and put away. How do we get the wrinkles out of them? I do believe they will crack if left this way. I wondered…

By Reena Nerbas Storing Sheets in Small Spaces Dear Reena, I live in a small apartment with limited space. Do you have any ideas for storing sheets so that they take up less room? Yur Dear Yur, Here are a few storage options to consider: Fold the fitted sheet and then fold the flat sheet…