Give unknown stains a good enzyme soak first

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/05/2020 (2162 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dear Reena,
Now that I have more time at home than I know what to do with, I am trying to remove stains from clothes. Since I don’t know what caused the stains, what is the best way to remove them?
Sasandra

Dear Sasandra,
Avoid using hot water on unknown stains. Hot water sets protein stains such as milk, egg and blood. Also, do not iron stained fabrics, as this will also set the stains. Spot remover tips often call for an enzyme presoak. This is a pretreatment product used to break down proteins like grass, blood and baby formula (most detergents contain enzymes). Product labels will advise consumers if a solution is specifically an enzyme presoak. The first product I use when trying to remove an unknown stain is dish soap and warm water. Scrub to remove the mark. The textile and fabric colour will decide subsequent applications.

 

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Timely tips of the week

 
• For years we had a pile of discarded seed and husks under our birdfeeder in the lawn. The birds would do a fair job of cleaning it up, but it was usually a mess. I cut a 5-foot-by-5-foot piece of fibreglass window screen (sold by the metre at outdoor and hardware stores) and put it on the ground underneath the feeder. The grass can breathe, the birds can clean up much better and the husks that they leave are minimal and can be easily lifted to be put into the compost. Julie

• When I was newly married and preparing to decorate cakes, I often whipped whipping cream too long and noticed that after a while it turned into a lumpy mess. Not knowing that I had made butter I threw out the mess and started again. After a few years I learned that over-whipping whipping cream transforms it into a delicious bowl of homemade butter. Now when I have guests over, I love to serve homemade butter. For anyone with the same desire to make butter from scratch, this is how: Purchase whipping cream and add a pinch of salt so that it tastes less bland. Pour the cream into your food processor and let it run until it thickens. It will then break into liquid buttermilk and butter. From here, you can separate the butter from the milk and use the fresh butter. Reena

• I had a pot of badly burnt dried apples. I put a good handful of baking soda on the bottom and covered it with vinegar. Left it overnight and it came off easily without elbow grease. I Always enjoy your handy tips. Mavis

Interesting Ideas

• Whenever I drop cookie batter from a spoon onto a baking sheet, I always wet the spoon first. That way the batter does not stick to the spoon. Submitted by: Justin

• Thread a needle in a hurry by dipping the end of the thread into clear nail polish. As the polish hardens, the needle is easy to thread. Submitted by: Andreas

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.

Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca. Ask a question or share a tip at reena.ca