Category: Solutions & Substitutions

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Those Rodents!

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Those Rodents!

    By Reena Nerbas How the Cornbread Crumbles Dear Reena, I made cornbread and it was very crumbly. What did I do wrong I used one egg should I use two next time? Carolyn Dear Carolyn, Here are a few hints for making delicious cornbread: Use buttermilk instead of milk and/or water. While you do not…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Apples

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Apples

    By Reena Nerbas Cleaning the Ceiling Fan Dear Reena, It is time to clean our kitchen ceiling fan and previously you had mentioned putting some oil on it to prevent attracting dust, could you please remind us what type of oil you recommended for this? Thanks. Joan Dear Joan, For regular ceiling fan cleaning jobs,…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Rice

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Rice

    By Reena Nerbas There are many stories about how and where rice came from. Most believe the roots of rice come from 3000 BC India, where natives discovered the plant growing in the wild and began to experiment with it. Rice is great for cooking and so much more… Make your own homemade glue using…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Lingering Fish Odours

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Lingering Fish Odours

    By Reena Nerbas Restoring Lustre to Baking Pans Dear Reena, Years of use have left my aluminum baking pans (even top quality ones) unsightly and horrible. Can anything restore them? Thank-you, Margaret Dear Margaret, Here is a very easy solution to clean unsightly aluminum baking sheets. Sprinkle a generous amount of good ‘ol fashioned baking…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Liven Up Old Kitchen

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Liven Up Old Kitchen

    By Reena Nerbas Bloodstain Dear Reena, Do you have any suggestions on how to remove blood spots from a pillowcase? Thank-you, Paul Hi Paul, Scrub the stains with Head & Shoulders Dandruff Shampoo, rinse with water until stains are gone. Keeping Garden Herbs Fresh Dear Reena, How can I keep my garden grown herbs fresh?…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Croissants, Buns and Bread

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Croissants, Buns and Bread

    By Reena Nerbas Prepping Shells for Stain Dear Reena, I would like to know how to clean a shell and how to apply stain on it? Can you please share your ideas with me? Thank-you, Jamal Dear Jamal, Place the shell into room temperature 50/50 bleach/water inside of a pot (or use plain water). Boil…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Save on Produce

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Save on Produce

    By Reena Nerbas Scorched Carpet Dear Reena, My ironing board broke and so I started ironing my clothes on the carpet. It wasn’t ideal but things were going well until I noticed that I scorched the top of my carpet. Help! Is my carpet ruined? I tried to wash it, but that did not help.…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Homemade Croutons

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Homemade Croutons

    By Reena Nerbas Dull Stainless Steel Pots Dear Reena, I can’t seem to bring that shine back to my stainless steel pots. Even though I scrub them, the bottom has a cover on it that only seems clean when wet not dry. Bonnie Hi Bonnie, Here are a few tricks to brighten a stainless steel…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Yummy Teriyaki Sauce

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Yummy Teriyaki Sauce

    By Reena Nerbas Toilet Bowl Stains Hi Reena, I have a brown stain in my toilet bowl and I’ve tried all kinds of different solutions and even a pumice stone; I drained the toilet as best as I could and poured bleach in it. I actually bought a new toilet but I still have a…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Swimsuit Mildew Smell

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Swimsuit Mildew Smell

    By Reena Nerbas Mildew Smell on Swimsuit Dear Reena, I read your column on a regular basis and love your solutions. Now I need some help, I packed a wet bathing suit coming home from a Hawaiian vacation a couple of winters ago, and even though I unpacked it and washed it right away, it has…

  • Solutions & Substitutions By Reena: Removing Iron-On Clothing Labels

    Solutions & Substitutions By Reena: Removing Iron-On Clothing Labels

    By Reena Nerbas Used Razor Dear Reena, I shave my legs three times a week with a pull type razor. How long should I use it before tossing it into the garbage? Jessica Dear Jessica, If you ask ten different people, you will receive ten different answers. Some people recommend that disposable razors are fine…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Laundry Detergent

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Laundry Detergent

    By Reena Nerbas Sparkling Stainless Steel Dear Reena, How can I brighten stainless steel cutlery to bring back the sparkle? Thanks, Sharon Dear Sharon, In commercial settings; it is very common to toss cutlery into a sink of plain old white vinegar, let soak and polish with a cloth. Or cut a potato in half…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: In the Laundry Room

    By Reena Nerbas Laundry Stain Remover Dear Reena, I need a laundry stain remover solution using vinegar, water and baking soda. Thanks, Lynne Dear Lynne, Here is a spot remover that you can use to pre-treat stains as well as several other machine washable, colorfast fabrics. Into a spray bottle combine: Two third cups ammonia…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Apple Pie

    By Reena Nerbas Damage to Marble Countertop Dear Reena, My daughter left her straightener on our new bathroom counter in the basement. It is marble; it has discolored the counter – is there any way to remove the “stain”? Thanks for your time, Brenda Dear Brenda, Are you sure that you are dealing with real marble or…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Cooking Ribs in the Slow Cocker

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Cooking Ribs in the Slow Cocker

    By Reena Nerbas Lumpy Brown Sugar Dear Reena, I enjoy a bowl of oat cereal for breakfast and like to sprinkle it with brown sugar. My problem is the sugar is always lumpy and no amount of shaking makes the sugar finer for sprinkling. Thanks. Gordo Dear Gordo, Brown sugar hardens when moisture inside the…