House Hold Tips

Hi Indu,

Just now, tried yr tip for my silver vessels and yes, it is really effective. Though it is not like a new silver vessel(as kushi said, shd do a couple of more times), it lost its black and slowly coming to the original silver color which have never seen with any method. So, should thank you and yr friend for sharing.

I have some basic doubts; hope you can clarify me.

The bottom of the vessel (old cooker) becomes slightly black. Is it becoz of the blackened foil? anyways, it is not a problem. Becoz, I always use lemon to make it whiten; still, what does yr friend do to avoid this problem? Can u let me know?

And, how frequently does she do this? weekly once or monthly once?

Guess I loaded you with too many queries..Bye..

And Khushi, after cleaning the silver vessels, actually, rinsed with cold water; slowly, rest of the black from the vessels are also coming out. Slowly, I took all of the with a fresh cloth.

Obviously, the hot water released all the black stains out of the silver vessels. Have you tried that too?

Bye.

hello Deepali!
I am sorry as I could not respond u soon.
It is not a risk to use the foil.
But do wrap good to see that u don't block the wire atleast..I mean wrap as the plate is.
In fact it wld be easier to change the foil regularly than cleaning the plate which u can do once in a while. :)

Hello R,
The friend who did this silver cleaning has left the country years back, and has moved to Australia now. But I'm still in touch with her & have mailed her this morning , asking your queries also.

For blackness of cooker: Sometimes I forget to check for sufficient water inside cooker & so the insides become burnt, I used to come running only by the smell !! But , I use Pril dishwash [liquid / bar] with a steel-wired sponge [Scotchbrite / Vileda] and this is very effective on the stains. This is my method only, and I have also asked my friend your doubt on cleaning. As soon as I get her reply, I will post it here. OK.

Bye.

Hello Indu,

Thanks for yr fast reply.

Actually, blackness of cooker is not a problem. That day, I boiled the silver vessels with the foil. Becoz of the foils, it got darkened (not becoz of lack of water). Anyways, I always put lemon inside the cooker while cooking so that it will be so white (palich) and no black at all.

Just want to know if she follows any different method other than lemon.

No hurry..take yr own time..

Hi All,
I have a white sink in my kitchen which is stained very badly.Is there a way to regain its white color.
Is there any cleaner avaialabe in USA to make the sink white?

Thanks in Advance
GV

Hi gv!

Use an all-purpose kitchen or bathroom cleaner for Ceramic sink. Use a scrub brush to stains; rinse with warm water.
It shld help u :)

I am reposting this message:)

Hi Gv,
i had the same problem with my sink too..I used baking soda and it removes most of the stains effectively..it works wonders on countertops also..Hope this helps..

hi Sarithsai5

thanx! i will give it a try.

deepali

Hi SarithaSai and GVB
I will try ur tips and post my feedback

Thanks

Hi,

This is not an exact question about household; but, really need everyone or (mother)'s suggestion.

Have two kids ranging in the age of 3 & 6; but, different sex. I am planning to buy an outdoor play thing for them. Other than trampoline, is there any better equipment ?

Thanks and pls reply soon.

Hi R,

My friend has replied stating that she washes the silver like this on average only once a month, mainly depending on usage. If lot of festivals, vradhams then she does even once a week, before they gather too much blackness. For the cooker base becoming black, she says not to take out the washed vessels one by one, wash in tap water etc. Once the vessels are cleaned & water has slightly cooled, stir them again in the cooker itself [to dislodge the black particles in the base], then lift the cooker itself & empty the entire dirty water directly into the sink. Take care to hold the vessels though! Then fill fresh water into the cooker which has the cleaned vessels, and rinse them side-by-side placing them inverted on a clean kitchen cloth. Then wipe dry.

Regarding the outdoor play stuff, I think all kids like water, maybe an inflatable pool would be enjoyed by the kids. Or even a tent/camping set [esp. boys like it] , and a small swing/slide set for your little girl . Kids love getting dirty and building a sand-pit is also a nice idea, not very costly too ; they will be occupied for hours with their tiny plastic buckets , making castles etc.
Hope these ideas are useful,
Indu.

R,

Do you have any ideas of how to keep the thiri burning properly in the ashtalakshmi vilakku ? It burns well only if ghee is upto the brim --- once the ghee reduces, even a bit, the flame get small and centre of flame is black . Even in smaller size of this kind of lamp , I have this problem . And I think you must be knowing the 'Nandha' vilakku -- small brass one, in an hour-glass shape ? Can we use both sides of that vilakku for putting the thiri ? The grooves of the side I always use, have become smooth and the centre thandu is not standing straight.
One more doubt R, how to make the manjal/sandal/kumkum paste we put on God's photos, stay for long ? By 2 days, they dry & fall off ! A friend says to wipe the photos with 'Johnson's Baby Wipes' { weirdest & crazy suggestion I've heard} which will remove dust, she says ---- I'm wondering if she was joking !! Do you have any correct method 'cos I'm also worried whether wiping with wet cloth is spoiling the photos ?
Sorry for pestering with so many questions .... Bye.

Thanks a lot, Indu.

And, for all vilakkus, my mother and paati use to say that cotton thiri is much better and auspicious than the other ones. With the other nool thiris, I also faced this kind of problem becoz they are equally thin from the top down to the bottom. So, try using cotton thiri and if you face the same problem still, try making the front portion as a thinner one which you use to lit (vilakku nuni), so that it will not burn fully. Try and let me know...

And for nanda vilakku, did not know the name; but, according to yr description, my mother was using one and she used to lit at the center portion. As you said, the sides will not be comfortable for the thiri to stand for a long time. Unfortunately, dont remember the bottom portion, so cant answer yr query. Maybe, will check with my folks and get back to you.

For the paste, if you use manjal, it will not come for a longer time though you make it as a paste. Sandhanam will come for a long period, atleast for a week.

First, make a thick paste(not too thick) of sandhanam like we get in temples so that if you use yr hand and keep on the vilakku or photos, will stay. With the same hand, take kumkum and apply on the photos/vilakku. Definitely, this will stay for some days. Unless, otherwise, you clean the photo, will not fall down.

I have more idols than the photos. Still, cleaning with plain tissue or with just a wet cloth(minimum wetness) should definitely will do. If we do every week, then there is no need to do heavy cleaning. Being in US, hardly see the dusts on the photos and also, myself is a closed cabinet .

Bye.

p.s.: Are you from chennai? And, one tiny question-is there any way to clean agal vilakku(karthigai vilakku)'s oil stains?

Hey everybody,
I need ur advice fast.I made chapathi in Iron tawa in high flame and from the day after it has become impossible to make dosas..The whole dosa gets glued to the bottom and i don't know what to do.I tried rubbin the dosa kal with onion but doesn't seem to work.Do u guys have any suggestions?

Thanx,
GVB

GVB,

Try adding little oil and saute 1/2 spoon urad dhal in the tawa and then try making uthappams instead of dosa. it will take time for dosa to come out properly so try to make uthappams, then keep rubbing onions after each dosa and try it.
even i did that mistake once and it too a while to get my dosas properly, but now i have a different tawa for chapathi.
Kz

Hi KZ,
I will try it out tomm..Am now using nonstick pan and the taste just isn't the same...Thanx for helping out..

GVB

Oh yes!! my hubby used to always tell that his mom's dosas are great and i found out the secret was kal tawa. so i got one from india and he has stopped talking abt his mom's dosa :D i keep the non stick for chapathi now. once started tasting kal dosa then we wont go back to non stick.
kz

Hi gvb,

I have both kal and non-stick. When it comes to paper, crispy dosa, you shd go with non-stick and if you want thick dosa like uttapam, then, go with kal. That is how I do and you will not feel any difference.

R, tried only with uthappams..I felt like my arm wud come off trying to remove itl.thats how stuck my dosa kal is.. :oops:

My mother always says that one should not wash the dosa kal too much; otherwise, this kind of problem will happen.

Are you sure it is problem with yr kal or could it be becoz of batter(excess of urad dal)?

Grease the kal with oil or spray and evenly spread with tissue; make a small first dosa and then, start making the usual size of dosa. I also noticed that if I pour the batter on the black grease(edge of the kal), it would stick and would not come. Also, try dipping the spatula in water before flip over the dosa to the other side.

Sometimes the dosa kal (tava) does act as though it has a mind of its own :evil: :evil: and it is extremely frustrating especially if ur making breakfast. This is how I deal with it.
Scrape of any dosa pieces stuck to the kal, vigorously. Then heat the tava well. Now dribble half tsp ghee( not oil only ghee does the trick). Spread the ghee well. After a few seconds rub off the ghee with kitchen towel. Let the tava cool down a bit and then make dosas.
It also helps to make first couple of dosas using ghee rather than oil.
Try this and post your experience.

Thanx for ur suggestions guys.Am sure its not cos of excess urad dhal,R..The culprit is definitely the chapathis made at high flame.As Tomato had said i'll try it out with ghee this weekend ..I will also try wetting the spatula..I do everything else the way u have mentiones..Am dreading to even take the kal out. :cry: I'll let u know soon.

Regards,
GVB

Applying pam spray will also help; in idly plates, use to apply that spray and without using spoon or anything, it will come down without sticking even a bit, FYI.

Hi R,
My dosa came perfectly well today..I don't know how..I made cutlets a coupla days ago maybe all the oil i used helped..Anyways thanks for all ur suggestions..i'll remember them for future needs..wats this pam spray?Which one shud i get?IS it a substitute for oil?Is it more healthy ?can i use it for dosas also?

This spray is for greasing purpose like greasing the cake vessel before we pour the batter etc. Before making idly, we grease the idly plates with oil; instead, saw my friend were using this spray(brand name is pam). since it is fat free & cholesterol free, have started using them. It is available in different flavors like butter, olive oil etc. Can choose whatever u want.

When I was greasing with oil, the idlies sometimes use to stick, but after using this spray, the idly will come out automatically, when I keep the plate upside down without disturbing it. After seeing this, my cousin has started using this spray for idly.

Anyway, it is mainly for greasing purpose. To my knowledge, it is not a substitute of oil.

Need an advise on ironing silk saree/mysore silk saree..

thanks and regards.

Okay R..sounds good...I'll give it a try

Hai,

Could anyone tell me how to clean and polish hardwood floors and how often should it be cleaned?

Thanks

Hello R,
By 'oil stains' do you mean the black stains in 'agal' vilakkus ? Actually I asked some friends also for the solution {hence the delay in reply, sorry }. I get only black stains & they will not completely go away as the mud is porous & absorbs the colour. My husband used to paint the cleaned lamps with 'semman' [ red mud, kaavi, which we put as border for kolams during festivals ] powder mixed with water, dry in the sun & keep. This we do about 10 days before the Karthigai Deepam day. 2 days before, we soak them in 1/2 a bucket of water, alongwith 2 or 4 new lamps [we have to buy new also every year], overnight. After 24 hrs. take them out, wipe dry and next day in the morning itself I arrange thiris, etc. in the lamps & light them in the evening.

For oil marks, one person says to soak in the solution of 1 part warm water, 1/2 part vinegar and 1/2 part bleach . Another friend says she uses a powder called 'Pitambari' which is actually for copper vessels, but even for silver she uses that only !! Yet another aunty is telling to scrub with paste of rice flour, sambal and little rock salt , kal uppu. I have no idea how or whether these suggestions will work. Esp. sambal, where you can get in US ?

Anyways, hope you find the tips useful, Bye.

And yes R, I am a true - blue Chennai lady, at present residing in Dubai, UAE.

Hello sun,

There are many solutions available in American stores to clean the hardwood floors. Mine is murphy brand. When it comes to hardwood floor, monthly once should be enough becoz wood cant take too much of water as it will expand.

As per the instruction, you have to apply the solution directly on the floor and mop it hardly; otherwise, it will stick at our leg. So, it is ok to mix the solution with quarter bucket(depending on yr house size) of water and do the mopping.

About polishing, dont know how old is yr house? And, when we shifted to our new house, we called up a servant maid to do the polishing at the apartment. So, you can check at any maid cleaning service. Hope this helps.

Thanks Indu. Can we dip the used vilakku in water? did not know this..What you meant is, after 24 hrs of cleaning, take them out, wiping and do the painting, right?

My vilakku has more oil stains than the black. I dont think that pitambari is available here just like sambal and rock salt too. But, I can try this vinegar method..will let you know. BTW, which bleach I can use-the one we use for clothes or a different one?

More queries here- my brass vessels's coating is coming out. I didn't notice it till now. I thought that the lifetime is very long. Is there any way to use them ? Is there any alternative to use instead of brass vessels becoz it is meant only for doing pooja purpose; I dont know what are all the things available currently in the market just for pooja purpose.

Take yr time and revert to me back..bye..

Hi,

I used white toothpaste again for cleaning my silver kamakshi vilaku and all the blackness went off....it was really easy to use.jus apply tooth paste on the surface and keep rubbing with fingers. you can see the blackness coming out..This was the second time i used toothpaste for cleaning silver.It works fine...

Am pregnant and in last trimesters and To clean the bath tub it was becoming a huge task. I found this product Mr.Cleans Magic reach for cleaning shower and bath tub very useful.. It comes with a long wand (4feet) and with the scrub pads. Jus wet the pad, scrub the surface of the bath tub and shower tiles. rinse off with water...becomes clean....easy to use ...

Anitha

Hi R,
I Got SoS and Pam spray..SOS works incredible..Thank u for that..Regarding the agal vilakku i'll ask my mother when i call her up and will revert back..

GVB

Good to hear gvb and am waiting to get a response from yr mother.

Can you atleast answer my question about ironing silk sarees/mysore silk sarees?

Bye.

Hi R,

Ironing sari is a back breaking job --- literally! Esp. silk / mysore silk, it is better to use low heat [some iron boxes have switches like low, med. etc. depending on fabric to be used]. Ironing SHOULD be done only when the sari is a little damp, before it fully dries. Sprinkling water or using steam-iron for silk saris is very wrong method, it will spoil the weave, look of the sari. Care should also be taken to keep a cloth [like a towel] over the sari & then iron the cloth -- NEVER use iron directly on silk / expensive sarees.
Regarding your query on brass vessels, am not clear what it is --- you want a good method for cleaning brass vessels ? What is the coating, from the vessel itself ? For worship only brass or silver vessels we use. For pouring water for tulsi plant, I use a copper small pot.

I have read your pm, will mail you shortly ok.
Bye,
Indu.

Hi R,
Well my mom said for "vengala" villakku she uses tamarind(wet) for scrubbing and then washes with regular detergent..For "mann" vilakku she soaks them in medium hot water with detergent b4 rinsing..I will get a detailed explanation and post it tomm..
For ironing i pretty much iron the way Indu had said..I wasn't sure whether its the right way but now am glad..

Thanks, both of you for the tips.

Yes, Indu. The color of the thaambaalam is coming out and can see the inner color(how to call). Initially, thought that am not washing it properly; now, realized that the color is going away. So, I am confused whether to use or not and if I buy a new brass vessel, the same will happen, no?

Have not heard this kind of problem from my folks/friends.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rsankar

Hello,

I just saw the "Hard Anodized" wok, what is this? (this is looks like non stick)and is this best for cooking?

---

Hard Anodized is not a non stick cookware.
It has a semi non stick feature plus better durability than non stick.
that even lets you use metal spatula or stirrer
If you have caution toward non stick, Hard anodized is much safer and durable !!

To learn more facts on Anodized cookware go to -
http://www.perfectpeninsula.com/AnoDeepKadai220.html
http://www.perfectpeninsula.com/AnoC...riddle275.html
http://www.perfectpeninsula.com/AksAnoCoo5L.html

Anodized cookwares gains value for your money.

--Gayathri---