By Reena Nerbas
Candle Wax on Carpet
Dear Reena,
Purple candle wax dripped onto my beige synthetic fiber carpet which has a low nap. What should I do? I have scraped off as much of the wax as I can and await your suggestion as to further treatment. Thank you, Irene
Dear Irene,
What you need to do is place a single-layered brown paper bag over the wax and using a warm iron, press the area to lift the wax, be careful not to scorch the carpet. Move the bag around so you don’t push wax further into the carpet. When the wax is a distant memory, take Head and Shoulders Dandruff shampoo and water and blot it over the area to clean the rest of the mess (test on an inconspicuous area first). Rinse with water and blot.
Scratched Stainless Steel Sink
Hi Reena,
After many years of using my kitchen sink at our cottage/home, for washing paint brushes and trays etc. I have lots of scratches on the rim and all over. It is a brushed stainless look, is there some way that I can safely get rid of the scratches? Thanks for any help and for all the good tips I get from reading your column. Keep up the good work! Pat
Hi Pat,
There are multiple commercial products available at home hardware stores designed to remove scratches on stainless steel, including all appliances, even the kitchen sink! Or buff out scratches yourself; using a sand pad for intense scratches or a scuff pad (number one for heavier scratches) or 000 for finer scratches. Spray the stainless steel with 50/50 white vinegar and water. Buff out scratches with the pad. Make sure to use long, even strokes and pull the pad along the grain. Using short strokes will result in a patchy finish. Polish with a soft cloth.
Cleaning the Weekend Frying Pan
Hi Reena,
This is a two part question: I have a frying pan with a dimpled non-stick surface which is used mostly for weekend bacon and eggs breakfasts. What is the best way of cleaning these pans? I have been running hot water into the pan and scrubbing with paper towels so as not to remove the seasoning. Is there an easier and more effective way to clean? My other question concerns the build-up of baked-on food on the outside of the pan. What can I use to remove this mess? Plastic scouring pads have no effect. Even putting the pan through the dishwasher’s “pots and pans” cycle doesn’t budge it in the least! Thanks, Michael
Dear Michael,
An easy and very effective technique for cleaning the interior side of non-stick frying pans is to place them in the dishwasher. The bleach and liquid used to make dishwasher detergent cleans the pan interior, and zaps lingering odors, which tend to remain in the pan. Option 2: Boil 1 tbsp. baking soda and 2 cups vinegar for 3 minutes. When pan is cool enough to touch; scrub with green scrubby pad. In order to clean the outside of a frying pan, the easiest solution is to ventilate and apply oven cleaner. The down side to oven cleaner is that this method can actually void the warranty on your pan. Another option is to scrub the outside of the pan with Barkeepers Friend and a damp non-scratch abrasive pad. Leave for a few hours and scrub well.
Tasty Holiday Snack of the Week
Carmel popcorn: Pop approximately two cups popcorn kernels. Into a saucepan melt 1 cup butter. Stir in 2 cups brown sugar, half cup corn syrup and 1 tsp. salt. Stir while mixture comes to a boil. Stop stirring and allow mixture to continue to boil for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and add half tsp. vanilla and half tsp. baking soda. Toss sauce and popcorn together. Spread onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour being careful to stir every 15 mins. Cool and eat!
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.
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