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 plastic sealable bag with dry uncooked rice. Place the phone inside the bag and remove as much of the air as possible. Close the bag and leave for 24-36 hours. Check the Liquid Conductor light on the side of the phone, if the phone was damaged by water, the light will shine red (instead of the normal white or silver color). If the light is red, take the phone to a specialist for repair.
White Film on Countertop
Dear Reena,
I wash my counter with soap and water, rinse it and dry it, and it looks marvelous. Only until I wipe a spill with a wet cloth and it gets a white film on it, I think it started after I put sealer on it. The white film looks awful till I start the washing process again. I can’t do that every day as it doesn’t last. Thanks for looking into this problem, Molly
Dear Molly,
The white marks are caused by the minerals left behind when water, or soap and water sit on the countertop and then evaporate. The solutions are not expensive or time consuming: The first step is to dry the countertop after each use. The next step is to wipe the dry counter with mineral oil. Reapply every few months, or when needed.
Shrink Wrapped Cukes
Dear Reena,
Why are English cucumbers shrink wrapped? Evan
Dear Evan,
If you were to compare the appearance of a shrink wrapped English cucumber over two weeks versus a non-wrapped English cucumber, you would notice that the shrink-wrapped cucumber lasts about three times longer. Shrink wrapping reduces dehydration and damage to cucumbers during transport and reduces the amount of moisture lost in the cucumber.
Extra Tip: English cucumbers: Shrink wrap takes a while to remove. To quickly remove the plastic wrap, cut the cucumber in half so that it is easier to work with. Score the plastic along the seam being careful not to cut through the cucumber. Remove plastic and cut off both ends of the cucumber because the ends are a little bitter. If you are cutting plastic off of several cucumbers, consider using an electric knife to cut the plastic off. Take extra care not to cut yourself when using an electric knife because the cucumber may roll while you are working with it.
Smart Tips of the Week
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For years I have used commercial products for denture cleaning; for years I have read with suspicion the long list of ingredients. No need! Now I just use water and baking soda. My dentures my get a bit brown over some weeks, and at that point I can still use Polident. Happy New Year! Submitted by: Luigi
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I live in a cold climate, and in the winter my newspaper is rolled in an elastic band and it is hard to unroll so I put it in the microwave for about 1 to 1/2 minutes and it lays flat. Submitted by: Bob
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.
Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca. Ask a question or share a tip at reena.ca