Dear Reena: How can I get rid of the gross stink of dead mice in a vehicle? A mechanic was asked to locate any nests or dead mice and he said he couldn’t find any. I’ve tried baking soda and charcoal briquettes.
Sarah
Dear Sarah: Are you sure the smell exists as the result of an animal? When this happened to me last summer, we found a package of deli sandwich meat that had escaped from my grocery bag and hid under one of the car seats. If you are dealing with a dead animal, the smell will return at first even if you manage to zap it temporarily.
The good news is that the smell does dissipate over time (unless it’s old unfound meat). If you absolutely don’t see anything, bring the car to an automotive centre where they can kill the smell with an ozone machine.
Dear Reena: Is there an alternative to dry cleaning clothing or a way to prolong the duration between cleanings? I find it very expensive and smelly, but I use dry cleaning services because my work requires that I wear business suits on a daily basis.
Ron
Dear Ron: If the care label instructs you to dry clean your clothing, this is your safest bet.
“Green dry cleaning” businesses or “wet cleaners” are becoming increasingly popular. The advantage to these is the absence of the strong, toxic chemical PERC (perchloroethylene). After dry-cleaned items are brought home, remove the plastic immediately and hang items outside for at least one hour.
Or you may choose to dry clean at home using commercial products such as Dryel (use according to the package directions).
Or place clothing into a pillowcase with a few baby wipes and secure with a rubber band, toss into the dryer. Run the dryer for 10 minutes on medium heat, the setting for air/fluff/ wool/non-washable silk and rayon. The disadvantage to these options is the clothing will require pressing.
Freshen underarm or collar areas by spraying with vodka. Vodka is amazing for removing smells and rejuvenating textiles. Scrub away small stains with shaving cream and a light coloured cloth.
Feedback from Readers
Re: Butter stored in fridge is too hard to spread on sandwiches
Dear Reena: If Wayne owns a microwave, he can soften a bit of butter with intermittent short zaps. Otherwise, put a bit of butter on the pan or grill, melt and spread evenly over the surface of pan, then put down one slice of bread. Put cheese on top of bread. When cheese starts to melt or when bread starts to toast on bottom, remove bread and set aside. Melt another bit of butter in pan/grill and place second slice of bread in the melted butter. Assemble sandwich and continue grilling. This method is a bit more fiddly but it works for someone who wants to use butter and doesn’t have a microwave.
Linda
Dear Reena: Here’s how I make a grilled cheese a bit more nutritious. In the summer especially, take a lot of lettuce from the garden and stuff it into the sandwich as soon as it’s off the griddle. The lettuce stays surprisingly crunchy.
In winter, a better alternative might be to take a handful of kale, chop it coarsely and place it on one buttered slice of bread and top it with the cheese. Then add the other slice. Melt a bit of butter in the pan to cook one side, flip the sandwich and add a bit more butter if necessary. Very chewy and delicious.
Maureen
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