June 18, 2007
Household Solution 1
Filed Under (Books, Household Solutions) by Angela Chih

Arm & Hammer Baking SodaPsst! Have I got a secret for you! Suede fabrics do not need to be a cleaning nightmare. Whether you are faced with water, grease or dirt stains, begin by sprinkling the stained area with baking soda. Dampen a stiff brush and swipe the spot back and forth until the marks are gone, then leave to dry.

This tip is courtesy of Reena Nerbas, the Home Economist with a lab coat. Check in every Monday as she shares more of her tried and tested household solutions and for more secrets, pick up one of her two national bestsellers at www.centaxbooks.com.

All solutions are to be used at the risk of the user. Test on a small inconspicuous area first!

More About Reena:

Household Solutions 1 by Reena NerbasReena Nerbas started researching solutions to common household problems after she tried a homemade stain-removal recipe given to her by a friend to get rid of an impossible carpet stain in her new home. The problem actually sparked both a job and a book! It enabled the Winnipeg mother of four to create her own home-based employment, something she was eager to do. Before long, Reena had accumulated enough helpful household hints to start writing a weekly newspaper column for the Winnipeg Free Press, offering 15 tips per week, as well as doing a radio show.

The research for substitution solutions came about one day when Reena was making pizza for a dinner party. Into one large bowl she poured flour and baking powder. Then, reaching for the yeast she noticed that the container was empty. Knowing that she had only 20 minutes until her scheduled supper, she took a chance. Quickly she added more flour and baking powder to the bowl. When the pizza was put together she slid it into the oven and held her breath. Much to her surprise, the additional quantity of baking powder caused the crust to rise and the pizza was a success. Shortly after that she began compiling lists of other substitutions for the kitchen and for anything else that she could think of.

Household Solutions 2 by Reena NerbasThese books are designed to reduce stress. They were created to simplify life. If it wasn’t for the Internet, Reena said she would never have been able to gather so many helpful hints. But that’s not her only source. Family secrets have been shared by many. And she’s constantly looking for more, so she invites anyone to email her.

There are hundreds more solutions and substitutions in the books, such as how to get rid of wasps using fabric softener sheets, removing scratches from CD’s with peanut butter, cleaning the toilet using Kool-Aid, using cabbage to clean the carpet etc but you guys can pick up a book to find out more.

9 Responses to “Household Solution 1”

  • 1
    Bob Baker Says:
    April 23rd, 2008 at 10:19 pm

    Hi Reena, I listened to you on the Gary Doyle Show here in Kitchener today and could not get through to you but I do have a solution for you that works!
    To get rid of any pesky and damaging moles and voles just put sticks of Juicy Fruit chewing gum in the entrance to any of their holes you see. They can’t resist the gum but can’t digest it. I put it out last Fall under my garden shed and when I moved the shed this year there were 26 little skeletons under it! Cheap pesticide at 1000x the price!It’s gotta be the stick, regular flavour though……….Bob Baker

  • 2
    Lynn McIntyre Says:
    November 5th, 2008 at 9:11 pm

    Hello Reena,

    A while back, I heard your talk show on CBC Radio, giving answers to people’s household problems and how you would remedy them with simple products. The show was full of great suggestions and I really enjoyed listening to you and your solutions.

    I have a case of black mold dots appearing randomly on my shower curtains. (some areas larger than others, like clusters of dots) The curtains are made by “Echo – Creative Bath, 100% cotton, made in Pakistan. The curtains are various colors, brown, aqua, light green, with circle patterns. I tried applying “Concrobium Mold Control” and as they suggested, letting it dry, then reapply and use a brush, but that didn’t work very well on the area and the brushing ‘scuffed’ the fabric up too noticably.

    I did hear you speak of washing soda (I purchased Arm & Hammer). Would this do the trick and if so, how do I treat it with the washing soda? Do I use it with my regular washing liquid? Or, would a dry cleaners be best suited for this problem? (Any cleaners or are there certain companies you would suggest?)

    Thanking you in advance for any suggestions you may have to tackle this problem, before it gets worse. I have lots of great comments on the design of the curtains and I hope there is a solution. I have had these shower curtains less than two years (2 panels) and hopefully you have a remedy for my delema, so I can keep them for a while longer.

    Thank you,in advance.

    Lynn McIntyre (lynn_mcintyre_2@hotmail.com)

  • 3
    Jane Martin Says:
    April 20th, 2009 at 12:15 pm

    HELP! I got hair dye on a brassiere. How do I get it out? I have 2 of your books & they have helped me a great deal, but re. hair dye you only tell how to get it off wood, & off a sink, = not fabric.
    Any help appreciated

  • 4
    Anne McCullum Says:
    October 7th, 2009 at 10:39 am

    Hello
    Thank you for your creative solutions. We live in an apartment on the 4th (top) floor on a busy street. The problem: PIGEONS AND THEIR POOP.
    How to discourage them, and how to remove the poop easily.
    Any advice will be received gratefully.
    Anne

  • 5
    Thelma Guenther Says:
    January 7th, 2010 at 9:55 am

    Do you have a househod solution for toenail fungus?

  • 6
    Keith Hanson Says:
    June 6th, 2011 at 11:55 am

    Hi Reena. I have a solution :>} for a number of the items mentioned above. It is called Tea Tree oil. Espesioally for the toe nail fungus, just apply it straight to the area. otherwise there is a solution of 20 ml. tea tree oil. 100 ml alcohol. Some say vodka is the best . But isopropyle will do. and distilled water, into a spray bottle. This will kill all molds. on any surface. It also repells spiders and bed bugs.It is anti fungal,antiseptic,anti viral, and leaves a nice odor. I hope this helps. GOOGLE it. :<}

  • 7
    Ted Makar Says:
    July 6th, 2011 at 6:46 pm

    Dear Reena
    I have a lamb’s wool quilt that is approximately 75 years old. It has been a few years since I had it wash, carded and new cover sewn on. I wonder if you know of any one that does this. Iwould like the quilt for another 75 years. Thanks. I will be waiting for advice.
    Sincerey Ted M

  • 8
    Angela Says:
    July 7th, 2011 at 12:51 pm

    For future household solution inquiries, please contact Reena directly at householdsolutions@mts.net. You can also visit her website for more info: http://www.householdsolutions.org

  • 9
    Rita mount Says:
    August 8th, 2011 at 4:12 pm

    HI Reena.
    I have lots of lime in my dish washer.
    Every thing is coming out white.
    Have tried vinegar baking soda .
    I need something that goes in while the dish washer is cleaning dishes.
    Hope you can help me and my dishwash, will be ok.
    I am afraid i will harm it plus the pipes.
    Thank you.
    Rita.

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