SOLUTIONS: Make your own hand cleaner — and air freshener

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/10/2009 (5859 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

QUESTION: Can you tell me how to make waterless hand cleaner? — Ruby

ANSWER: The FDA states that in order for a waterless hand cleaner to effectively kill germs, it must contain at least 60 per cent alcohol. Make your own ‘Peppermint Hand Sanitizer’ by combining: half cup aloe vera gel, three quarter cup rubbing alcohol and half teaspoon peppermint essential oil. Mix and store in a spray bottle.

QUESTION: We are interested in buying a home in our area. The problem is that the house has a very strong curry odour. Please tell me what I can do to permanently get rid of the smell. The thing is we love the new carpet and the paint colour. Please help us! — Charles

ANSWER: You may want to consider renting an ozone machine. This little machine is not recommended for regular use but it is great for enclosed areas that have had smoke or flood damage or other strong smells.

These machines can be rented at tool rental retailers as well as some hardware stores.

Otherwise, you can light fragrant candles such as soy blueberry or cinnamon (this will only be a temporary fix).

Or make your own air freshener with vinegar or water and 15 drops of your favourite essential oil such as cinnamon, orange or grapefruit.

QUESTION: We bought bronzeware cutlery in Thailand 25 years ago and found it shows spots that look like water stains. How can we remove them? — Michelle

ANSWER: "Bronze disease" is one of the most serious hazards of bronze. This disease is caused when chlorides and oxygen combine in a damp environment. "Bronze disease" can be stopped by going over the piece with a layer of coconut oil. If this does not help, wash the piece in repeated changes of boiling hot, distilled water. You may have to soak the object for a week or more in distilled water.

Or dissolve 1 tablespoon (15 mL) salt in 1 cup (250 mL) white vinegar. Add enough flour to make a paste. Apply paste to bronze and let sit for one hour. Rinse with clean, warm water, and polish dry. Or place 2 tablespoons (30 mL) baking soda in a small dish. Drizzle a small amount of lemon juice onto the baking soda and mix until a soft paste forms (start out with just a little lemon juice and add more as needed). It is normal for the mixture to bubble at first; it will settle down after a moment or two. Apply the paste to your bronze item using your rubber gloves or a small polishing cloth.

Worst-case scenario for non-plated bronze use a diluted solution of muriatic acid, available at any hardware store. I hesitate to mention muriatic acid because it is the strongest product available for home use and very dangerous to use — extreme caution must be taken as it will burn through skin. If you are desperate and decide to choose muriatic as a last resort, test first. Mix 30 per cent acid with 70 per cent water according to the directions on the bottle. With proper gloves, take a rag, dip it, and rub lightly. The acid will work immediately on corrosion, and you will notice a light, copper coloured tarnish. Wipe off all traces of acid and water and polish with olive oil.

QUESTION: Do you have a solution to get lipstick out of cotton navy slacks that have gone through the dryer? — Elspeth

ANSWER: Tackle this dyed grease stain with the help of hot water and Oxyclean. It may take more than one washing. Other products that you can use are shaving cream, dandruff shampoo and rubbing alcohol. Remember to test them first so that you don’t risk discoloration. You can also wash the slacks in washing soda.

Don’t give up, wash the slacks several times and don’t put slacks into the dryer until the stain is gone. Worst case scenario: boil the pants in a product called Iron Out or use Rit dye remover, according to the directions on the box. Note that either of these products will lighten the fabric colour.

Spice up your life

Cinnamon comes from a small evergreen tree 10 to 15 metres tall, belonging to the family Lauraceae, native to Sri Lanka and Southern India. The bark is widely used as a spice.

— Make your own Rapunzel Cinnamon Hair Tonic: Combine 1 tablespoon (15 mL) crumbled sage or 1 sprig chopped fresh rosemary or a mixture of 1 teaspoon (5 mL) allspice, 1 teaspoon (5 mL) ground cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) ground cloves. Pour 1 cup (250 mL) boiling water over the herb mix. Let it steep for 30 minutes. Strain through a coffee filter, and let it cool. Pour over your squeaky clean head after shampooing.

— Smoochy Mouthwash: Boil one cup water and remove from heat. Add one teaspoon (5 mL) of each: ground cinnamon, parsley, whole clove and peppermint extract. Let sit for 30 minutes. Strain and add one more teaspoon (5 mL) peppermint extract (not oil). Gargle and spit.

— Peppi La Pu It Smells Good in Here Air Freshener: In a pot or slow cooker simmer: apple cider, whole cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and a dash of nutmeg on the stove. Add a few drops of orange essential oil.

Reena Nerbas is the author of the national bestselling Household Solutions series. Her website is www.householdsolutions.org. You can contact her at Box 429, Blumenort, MB, ROA 0C0.