Ask Me Anything: Silicone Storage, Kitchen Gadget, JCPenney Sheets, Dehumidifier, and More
Today’s the day I reach into the inbox and pull out some of your questions and only because I want you to feel free to ask me anything!
Here is a quick summary of the questions I’ll answer in today’s post. You can click on one to go straight to it or just scroll down to read all.
Enjoy!
Contents
1. My silicone food storage bags stink
2. Got a shrimp deveiner?
3. JCP best sheets
4. Looking for a home air purifier
5. Help! Overpowering humidity
Q1: Odors from silicone food storage bags
Dear Mary: I stored some left-over smoked salmon in one of my new reusable silicone storage bags. After I’d used up the salmon, I washed the bag as usual in my dishwasher. It still smelled of salmon. I got out my trusty Nok-Out. I soaked the bag in that for a few hours. Still smelled of salmon. Help! Sue
Dear Sue: There’s something that might not have gone right. Tell me exactly how you did it. Did you spray the inside? Pour some Nok-Out into the bag? Did you dunk it in a bowl of Nok-Out? And what did you do at the end of “a few hours?”
Dear Sue: I’m pretty sure I know the problem. Once every bit of the surface has been doused well with Nok-Out, it must be allowed to “oxidize.” This happens when Nok-Out meets air and is allowed to dry fully—no rinsing.
Q2: I need a shrimp gadget
Dear Mary: What is the best kitchen gadget to remove the shrimp vein? Winora
Q3: JCPenney bedsheets
Dear Mary: Would you repeat your recommendation for Best Inexpensive Sheets. I believe they are 100% cotton from JCPenney. Thank you! Sharon
One set in Queen is list priced at $140. But wait. The JCPenney site regularly offers discount coupons (I’ve been watching this like a hawk and there’s always a coupon), plus these specific sheets are frequently on sale. I didn’t have to search or inquire with my first online order. At checkout, I simply clicked on “Coupons, ” right next to the checkout button. Immediately, the price dropped to $72.
I have checked many times since to see how that discount holds up and have yet to find a time that I would have had to pay full price. I can’t represent the exact discount you’ll get, but know that these sheets are frequently on sale and discount coupons and codes are readily available.
Q4: Looking for a home air purifier
Dear Mary: I am truly grateful for all your suggestions and the research you do! They all have helped my family run much smoother. I’m looking for a good home air purifier. Do you have any thoughts you can share? Cheryl
Dear Cheryl: All things considered—up-front cost, maintenance, and cost to operate—I don’t think you can beat the Coway Mighty Home Air Purifier (AP1512HH), EC pick for Best Inexpensive Air Purifier. Rated for spaces up to 360 sq. ft., this unit is compact, attractive, and super quiet. And did I mention efficiency? Very efficient with its True HEPA filter, deodorization filter, and Vital Ion. Also it has a pollution sensor that communicates indoor air quality in real-time. Available in black or white.
Thanks for your kind words, Cheryl!
Q5: Extreme interior humidity
Dear Mary: I am puzzled by an ongoing, distressing problem since I moved into a fourth-floor condo in Florida. I find that mildew is growing everywhere! On my wood dining table, on cast iron pans, inside cabinets. I am distressed about where I’ll find it next. I use a 50/50 vinegar solution to wipe it off. I keep ceiling fans going and the thermostat at 77 degrees. Windows and doors always closed. I hang Damp Rid in closets. That is getting expensive. Annette
Dear Annette: I must admit to being anything but an expert on living in humid areas, but can help you figure out how to tackle this problem. I live in Colorado where we enjoy very dry conditions—the other extreme to your high humidity. You have my empathy, for sure. I cannot imagine what you are going through.
If I were you, I would first consult with the management of your condo association. If this is considered normal—meaning that all of your neighbors are experiencing the same thing—find out how they are dealing with it. Or you may discover that your problem is unique and related to something that needs to be remedied quick!
If you discover this is just the way it is in Florida in a fourth-floor condo, I recommend you research and consider getting a dehumidifier for your home. This is an appliance that actually removes moisture from the air and sends it down the drain. There are many options, so you want to find one that meets your specific needs.
Some of the most common indicators that you may need a dehumidifier are wet stains on walls and ceilings, stuffy feeling in a room, rotting wood, condensation on windows, musty smells, and allergies. If the air in your home is too moist, it will encourage the growth of bacteria and mold, which are common allergens and not good for your health.
See Best Inexpensive Home Dehumidifiers which includes EC Best Inexpensive picks. I believe one of them will be just right for your home, should you discover this will be the best remedy.
Hope that helps!
Got a question you’d like me to answer in a future post? You can ask me anything here. Thanks!
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The lady in the 4th floor condo (in Florida) needs a humidistat on her wall. Florida is so humid you cannot exist without one.
Your solution for tackling smelly silicone storage bags reminds me of my parents, raised in the Depression Era, who always washed and rinsed ziploc bags, and dried them on a knob or faucet, just you described.
Dear Mary,Thank you for sharing your secrets with us.
Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
The JC Penny sheets had threads on them that if pulled would have made a hole after 2 washings. Took them back with no problem.
For the mildew issue, if she has a clothes dryer in her unit, I would have the vent checked. If it is obstructed, the moisture from the clothes dryer could be adding to the humidity in her home. Just a thought.
I just had one of those “Doh!” moments as I read about using Nok-Out to solve the stinky storage bag problem. While I love all the wonderful new silicone items that have made their way into my kitchen (Instant Pot rings, baking mats, a slotted spoon that poached eggs do to stick to, a steamer insert, etc.), I’ve been frustrated with their propensity to retain odors – bad odors! It never occurred to me to use Nok-Out on them but you can be sure that I’m going to now!