Author: Gateway Gazette Contributor

By Reena Nerbas Mixing Cookie Dough Dear Reena, Whenever I bake cookies, the recipe says to mix all dry ingredients together before adding them to the wet ingredients. Why can’t I just add all the ingredients together in one bowl? Also, how can I make my cookies all the same size so that they look…

By Reena Nerbas Cleaning Toilet Bowl Dear Reena, I am looking for a solution for cleaning the toilet bowl, instead of the bottle of blue solution from the store. Thanks, Pat Dear Pat, Make that toilet bowl sparkle by pouring a little shampoo or dish soap onto a pumice stone and gently, rubbing the inside…

By Reena Nerbas Ant Invasion Dear Reena, I have a huge invasion of tiny ants in my pantry. Help! Janice Dear Janice, Remove all food from the pantry. Throw away any open containers or packages. Spray the pantry with ‘Raid Ant Killer’, and look for a product with a two-week residual. After two weeks, wipe…

By Reena Nerbas Wasps Dear Reena, Do you have any ideas regarding how to keep wasps away? Douglas Dear Douglas, If you notice wasps building a nest in the same space year after year, purchase an artificial wasp nest. Or make your own by blowing up a brown paper lunch bag and closing it with…

By Reena Nerbas Clean the Driveway Dear Reena, I don’t own a pressure washer. What is the best way for me to regularly clean my driveway? Tyrone Dear Tyrone, Here are a few methods for effectively cleaning a concrete driveway. Combine water with dish soap. Scrub the driveway and rinse with water. Or 1 cup…

By: Reena Nerbas Sow Bugs Dear Reena, We have sow bugs in our house (which are very common in our area). I have heard that keeping moisture out of the basement really helps but is there any other solution to get rid of them? Thank-you, Pat Dear Jean, As you mentioned, sow bugs are a…

By Reena Nerbas Stained Corning Ware Dear Reena, We have two Corning Ware casserole dishes that were bought used. They are stained and I am wondering if you have a suggestion as to how these stains might be removed. Thanks, Barb Dear Barb. In a large pot, combine 3 cups (750 mL) vinegar, 4 cups…

By Reena Nerbas Rancid Oil Smell on Towels Dear Reena, Due to an unfortunate (stupid) accident I spilled a whole deep fryer full of old oil on the floor. In my rush to make sure it didn’t seep into the cracks or around the edges of my laminate floor I grabbed quite a few of…

By Reena Nerbas Washing Machine Odour Dear Reena, Please end this torment, I am troubled with a laundry room odor that I can’t successfully eliminate and it emanates from my washer. I tried running vinegar through the machine as well as filling the drum and surrounding tub with a bleach/water solution and letting it sit for…

By Reena Nerbas Dents in Stainless Steel Fridge Dear Reena, Can the dents in my stainless-steel fridge be repaired? Vi Dear Vi, There is a theory that if you heat the dents with a hair dryer or press dry ice onto the area and then blast it with cold air, the dents should release and…

By Reena Nerbas Homemade Air Fresheners Dear Reena, I am not only getting tired of replacing numerous plug-in air fresheners around my home, but it is also becoming expensive. Do you have a recipe for homemade air fresheners? Thanks, in advance. Ruth Dear Ruth, Here is a very simple air freshener that you can make…

By Reena Nerbas Foil Stuck to Oven Floor Hi Reena, I am a faithful reader to your column. I was cooking chicken in my 7-year-old oven, and put some tin foil in the bottom of the oven. I thought it would catch the grease droppings. However, the tin foil began to stick to the bottom plate. I removed…

By Reena Nerbas Fabulous Tips from Canadians As we prepare to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of our great country, we can also feel united with these useful tips sent in by people from across the nation. Canada Day Trivia: What does the word Canada mean? Tackle lip balm on fabrics by dabbing waterless hand cleaner…