Use baking soda to clean concrete driveway stains

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/07/2015 (3754 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

QUESTION: My friend had a new driveway poured, he also had an apple tree nearby that dropped those little apples on the driveway with a splat and left dark brown marks. What would you suggest he use to remove those marks? Elvira, Winnipeg

ANSWER: Sprinkle the driveway with a box of baking soda. Use a stiff brush dampened with water and scrub the area until the stains are gone. If the stains remain, scrub the driveway with one of the following: laundry detergent 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 a dangerous product; if you use it, wear rubber or latex gloves, safety goggles and protective clothing, and never wash it down storm drains. Test all solutions on an inconspicuous area first.

QUESTION: Can you please tell me how to clean wood-finish cupboards? Also, what is a great recipe for Monster Cookies? Sincerely, Lorraine, Arborg

ANSWER: 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 Best Monster Cookies. In a bowl combine one cup butter, 1 1/2 cups peanut butter (if you don’t like peanut butter, substitute one cup margarine for peanut butter), two cups brown sugar and two cups white granulated sugar. Add four eggs and one tablespoon vanilla and beat until smooth. To the batter add three cups flour, five cups rolled oats, two teaspoons baking soda, one tsp. baking powder and one tsp. salt. Mix until combined. Stir in two cups chocolate chips and one cup M & M’s. Drop tablespoons onto greased cookie sheets and bake at 350 F (176 C) for 10 minutes or until edges start to turn light brown. Freeze leftovers. Extra tip: you can substitute some of the candy for the same amount of peanuts or walnuts.

QUESTION: I own a water cooler that is about 10 years old. I have misplaced the directions for cleaning the inside of my cooler. I seem to remember using a bleach solution to clean the reservoir. Can you give me suggestions please? Thank you in advance, Inez

ANSWER: Health Canada recommends that you clean your cooler system 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 off using a cork or plug. Doing this prevents sanitizer from getting into the hot tank. Combine four litres of water and one tbsp. vinegar. 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 one tsp. bleach instead of one tbsp. vinegar, however I prefer vinegar since it is safe for consumption.

Fabulous Tip of the Week

I recently read an article about rabbits in the yard eating things we do not want them to eat. I found an excellent inexpensive, environmentally friendly and easy solution. Grate Irish Spring bar soap just like cheese and sprinkle it around problem areas (or around perimeter of property) to keep rabbits away. Submitted by Mel.

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.

I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Need a Presenter on the topic: Effective Speaking or The Power of Words? Check out: Reena.ca