Dear Brenda, In a ventilated area, apply household ammonia, paint thinner or WD-40 to the paint-stained areas. Use two old toothbrushes, one for the front of the screen and one for the back, and gently scrub both sides. It won’t take long, and the paint will disappear.

Dear Reena, Why are English cucumbers shrink-wrapped? — Evan Dear Evan, If you were to compare the appearance of a shrink-wrapped English cucumber over two weeks to a nonwrapped one, you would notice that the shrink-wrapped cucumber lasts about three times longer. Shrink-wrapping reduces dehydration and damage to cucumbers during transport and reduces the amount of moisture lost in the cucumber.

Extra Tip: Shrink wrap on English cucumbers takes a while to remove. To quickly remove the plastic wrap, cut the cucumber in half so that it is easier to work with. Score the plastic along the seam, being careful not to cut through the cucumber. Remove plastic and cut off both ends of the cucumber because the ends are a little bitter. If you are cutting plastic off several cucumbers, consider using an electric knife to cut the plastic off.

Hi Reena, My Bosch dishwasher is eight years old. How can I keep it in top shape? Thanks. — Rosita

Dear Rosita, Imagine a person who ate three meals a day plus snacks without ever brushing their teeth. Rinsing with water would not remove the plaque and build-up. The same is true for a dishwasher, which requires regular checkups and cleaning appointments. Maintain the machine by carefully scrubbing the interior, especially where the base of the dishwasher door and floor meet.

As well, the filter needs to be taken apart and cleaned from time to time. It’s amazing what gets caught in there: straws, cherry pits, tea bags, bones, pieces of glass, stickers, etc. Experiment with a few dishwasher detergents and increase the hot-water temperature according to your manual.

The next step is to purchase a product called Iron Out. When you run it through your empty dishwasher, it will clean the dishwasher basin, hoses, racks, etc. If you are not happy with the cleaning result over time, contact a professional because the dishwasher will need to be thoroughly examined for damaged parts or incorrect hookup.

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

-Reena Nerbas