Dear Reena: I want to know the best way to clean my drains.
Donna
Dear Donna: In a jar, combine two tablespoons of cream of tartar, one quarter cup baking soda and one teaspoon of salt. Drop in the drain and chase with boiling water. Repeat as necessary. Or pour half cup salt down the drain, followed by boiling water or vinegar.
Extra tip: When discarding flat cola, pour it into the drains you think are most in need of attention.
Dear Reena: I cooked a large amount of spaghetti in a pot and just before I served it, I noticed that it had turned into one big heap of pasta. What can I do to stop the noodles from clumping together?
Megan
Dear Megan: Always cook pasta in a large pot so that each noodle has room to move around. Once the noodles are cooked, pour hot water over them as you are straining them. This is very important because water washes away gluten and keeps your noodles loose. When you pour the noodles into a serving bowl, add a few drops of olive oil and mix it in. This will prevent the noodles from glomming together in the bowl.
Fabulous tips of the week
• If you want family or guests to know that your home bathroom was recently cleaned, put a triangle fold on the end of the toilet paper, just like hotel housekeepers do.
Check Reena’s website — reena.ca — to send tips and questions, to find missed columns or mislaid solutions, or to engage Reena to speak at a corporate or organizational event.
