Dear Reena: My friend had a new driveway poured. He also had an apple tree that dropped little apples on the driveway with a splat and left dark brown marks.
What would you suggest he use to remove those marks? I know it's too late in the season now, but hope-fully you can suggest some-thing for the spring.
Elvera
Dear Elvera: Sprinkle the driveway with a box of baking soda. Using a stiff brush, dampened with water, scrub the area until the stains are gone. If the stains remain, scrub the driveway with one of the following: laundry deter-gent and water or TSP (trisodium phosphate) and water or washing soda and water. Rinse. As a last resort, combat tough spills with muriatic acid and a pressure washer. Apply the acid following the manufacturer's directions, and let it soak for several seconds.
Keep in mind that muriatic acid is dangerous. If you use it, wear rubber gloves, safety goggles and protective clothing, and never wash it down storm drains. Test all solutions on an inconspicuous area first.
Dear Reena: Can you tell me how to clean wood finish cupboards? Also, what is a great recipe for "monster cookies?"
Lorraine
Dear Lorraine: Mild dish soap and water is all that is recommended for cleaning the grease off of kitchen cupboards - just a damp clean cloth or mildly abrasive cloth and no excess water, dry immediately. This is very effective, since dish soap is created as a grease cutter.
Here is a wonderful recipe that makes six dozen excellent monster cookies. In a bowl, combine 1 cup butter, 1 1/2 cups peanut butter (if you don't like peanut butter, substitute 1 cup margarine), 2 cups brown sugar and 2 cups white granulated sugar. Add 4 eggs and 1 Tbsp vanilla. Beat until smooth.
To the batter add, 3 cups flour, 5 cups rolled oats, 2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp baking powder and 1 tsp salt. Mix until combined.
Stir in 2 cups chocolate chips and 1 cup M & Ms.
Drop by tablespoons onto greased cookie sheets and bake at 350 F for 10 minutes or until edges start to turn light brown. Freeze leftovers.
Extra Tip: You can substitute some of the candy with the same amount of peanuts or walnuts.
Dear Reena: My water cooler is about 10 years old. I have misplaced the directions for cleaning its inside. I seem to remember using a bleach solution to clean the reservoir. Can you give me suggestions?
Inez
Dear Inez: Health Canada recommends that you clean your cooler sys-tem after every bottle change. Begin by disconnecting the unit from the wall. Remove the bottle from the cooler unit. Drain the water through the blue faucet into a bucket. Disconnect any removable parts from the unit. Wash parts thoroughly with dish soap and water. Rinse.
If you have a hot and cold dispenser, plug the hot dispenser using a cork or plug to prevent sanitizer from getting into the hot tank.
Combine four litres water and one Tbsp vine-gar. With this solution, clean all of the interior surfaces of the reservoir. Let the solution sit for seven minutes.
Fill reservoir full of fresh bottled water and drain the water through the cold faucet. Repeat three times. Remove cork from the hot tank and replace all parts. Plug unit into wall.
You can use 1 tsp bleach instead of 1 Tbsp vinegar, although I recommend vinegar since it is safe for consumption.
Dear Reena: A recent column suggested that a girl's boyfriend's "bad" manners were a result of sub-cultural variances.
While I agree with your explanation and solution, I am slightly bewildered by Meghan's concern that her boyfriend leaves his napkin on the table when he steps away for a couple of minutes. Where does she expect him to leave it?
I was under the impression that the napkin should always be left on the table when leaving, with the only exception that the (home) hostess would place her napkin on her chair-seat when she arose to attend to things in the kitchen.
Have I been wrong for years? Has this napkin-placing etiquette changed? James
Dear James: Nice that you have given this matter some thought. Experts advise that if you need to leave the table during a meal, place your napkin on the seat of your chair. You are not supposed to put your napkin back onto the table before the meal has ended. According to North American etiquette, at the end of the meal, the host picks up his/her napkin and places it on the table to the left of his/her plate. Guests then place their napkin on the left of their plate. This indicates the meal is over.
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