Dear Gilbert, Be sure to remove old stacks of newspapers, magazines, papers, books and fabrics, plus food spills and food stored for long periods of time. Often reducing available water and lowering the home’s relative humidity with dehumidifiers and fans is helpful. Repair leaking plumbing and eliminate moisture around laundry areas. Once the cause is remedied, there are many products on the market from baits to sprays that will get rid of silverfish, aerosols such as Raid and Air Devil for hard to reach places. As with all insecticides, read the directions and warnings carefully.

• A simple silverfish trap can be made by taking canning jars, scrubbing them clean and then covering the outside with masking tape to make them easy to climb. These traps are then placed in areas of infestation. The bugs will climb up and fall into the jars and then will not be able to climb the walls to escape. Moist cotton or starchy foods work as bait. Also, leave cloves where they like to go, they don’t like the smell. The next step is to use Diatomaceous earth (dust) used as filter media in swimming pools. If you know someone with a pool, ask to borrow a cup, or visit a nearby garden store. If the problem remains call an exterminator.

Hello Reena, I have had a gas cooktop for just over a year and am having trouble keeping the stainless-steel rings around the burner clean. I’ve tried Bar Keepers Friend with a nonscratch pad as recommended by the company selling the product, but no luck. The marks are small and not significant, but I want to keep it looking like new for as long as possible. Thanks for any suggestions you may have. — Christine

Dear Christine, After using the stove, wait until it is cool enough to touch, sprinkle the stainless-steel with baking soda; followed by vinegar. Scrub with a non-abrasive stainless-steel scrubby pad. The right kind of scrubby pad makes all of the difference and creates less work for yourself. Rainbow Scrubbies (RainbowScrubbies.com) are excellent tools for this project because they are tough, but don’t scratch.

Dear Reena, I have an embarrassing problem which is white marks on my blouses due to deodorant. How can I get rid of the marks? — Manuela

Dear Manuela, Purchase products with the label ‘invisible’ on the container. Ease deodorant streaks; rub pantyhose over white areas. The nylon lifts the marks like magic.

Hi Reena, I spilled nail polish on my couch. I read that I shouldn’t use polish remover with acetone in it, but I can’t find a polish remover without acetone. Do you have a different idea? — Joan

Dear Joan, Rubbing alcohol, paint thinner and hairspray are effective solutions for removing nail polish, or scrub the area with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. If you choose to clean the area with nail polish remover, you will observe better results with acetone-based remover (please test on an inconspicuous area first). If you prefer nail polish remover without acetone, check your local dollar store, it’s commonly found there.

Dear Reena, I spilled melted wax on a new polar fleece sweater. My wife was able to remove most of the wax using a hair dryer. Unfortunately, there are still some spots. Can you suggest a solution to remove the remainder of the wax? Thanks for any help you can give us. — Bob

Dear Bob, Drape a tea or paper towel over the area. Run a warm iron over the wax. You will notice the wax transferring onto the towel because the towel will look wet. Move the towel, and iron the area until no more wetness appears.

Sweet Suggestions

• I like to reduce the flour amount in most cookie recipes by one-quarter cup to make the tenderest cookies that do not dry out even after several days. — Tina

• I make icing with confectioners’ sugar and milk. I make it thin, as I ‘paint’ the icing onto the cookies with a pastry brush. Thin enough to spread easily but not so thin that it just makes your cookies wet and runny. — Jessica

• I solved my burnt cookie problem years ago. First choice was the air insulated cookie sheets. If that’s an expensive option and you don’t want to use the cookie sheets with a lip all around, turn it upside down. Now you have a cookie sheet that lets air all around your cookies (best for shortbread). Gently remove from oven as they can be slippery. — Linda

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.

-Reena Nerbas