Soap and water likely enough to remove gasoline stains from concrete

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/09/2022 (1469 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Question: Gas spilled onto the concrete floor in the garage. Is there any way to get rid of it? Laura

Answer: Remove gasoline stains on your driveway with the following technique: Using a garden hose, spray the area with water, scrub with a wire brush, such as a barbeque brush and dish soap or dishwasher detergent. The stains should quickly disappear. 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 an extremely 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: Visitor’s used ball point ink and wrote all over my daughter’s ‘American Girl’ doll’s face. It happened today, what can I use to erase the marks? KT

Answer: The most successful product for this situation is 10% benzoyl peroxide (acne medication), the sooner you cleaner, the better the chances of removal. Using a cotton ball, dab peroxide onto the doll’s face, and gently wipe away the ink. Some ink is permanent and cannot be removed. Note: American Girl offers a doll hospital service, you can send the doll to the specified address, to be repaired, for a fee.

Manitobans’ response to fruit flies

• I battle fruit flies every year just like everyone, but I also compost so they can really get out of hand very quickly. This year I started keeping my compost pail in the freezer at night, it helped so much! Along with all the other steps you had in the column too, but compost is kind of a special case. Audra

• Tried and true to remove fruit flies. Take a small glass, such as a shot glass. Place a small piece of banana in it. Cover it tightly with a piece of cellophane. Poke a few holes with a toothpick. Don’t make the holes too big or the flies will escape. Place a few of these glasses around where you see the flies. They will congregate to these traps, and it works. Once captured, flip the glass upside down and wrap the cellophane around the mixture and discard. Voila! Kimberly

• I have tried the remedies mentioned in your column (except the commercial ones) with little success. I finally used my hand vacuum, immediately emptying it into a plastic bag which I sealed. It worked great. FB

Souper Tips

• Use a cookie cutter to cut shapes out of half-inch thick, sourdough bread slices. Place the slices on a baking sheet and sprinkle with your favorite cheese. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, or until golden and crisp. Lay in the centre of your bowl of soup.

• Brown veggies, before adding them to soup to bring out the flavor of the vegetables. It you sauté them in butter and garlic, the flavor is even more enhanced.

• Don’t wait until the end of the cooking process to season your soup. Season as you cook, and adjust as needed, so that the ingredients absorb the flavors.

• Add a splash of acid to soup, rather than more salt. Acid such as lemon or lime juice adds delicious and unique flavor to soup.

• Invest in a slow cooker as your kitchen helper. Add the contents to the slow cooker in the morning and by supper, the flavors will be intense and ready to devour.

• Keep noodles separate. When making soup, leave cooked noodles in a separate bowl, instead of adding them into the soup. Freeze the soup or eat leftovers the next day, without having to contend with soggy noodles.

Have a great suggestion or tip? Please send an email. Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca.

info@reena.ca.