Oily Rag: That'll keep you smiling

Keep your dentures looking like new for pocket change with baking soda or bleach.

This week we have some replies to a reader's question, and lots of yummy kitchen tips. Graeme asked. "I have false teeth and am looking for an alternative to paying $7 at the supermarket for denture cleaning tablets."

Well, there was no shortage of suggestions from frugal followers -- Graeme is obviously not alone when it comes to clean dentures!

Cheryl from Timaru says, "Plain baking soda works better than commercial expensive cleaners. Just put it straight on to a toothbrush and use the same as you would use toothpaste. It works a treat."

Mozzy from Auckland writes, "Instead of expensive denture cleaner, buy a bottle of extra strength bleach from Pak'nSave for $2 to $3 and add a tiny dash (not too much) to a glass of water and soak dentures overnight. Rinse thoroughly before using. Much cheaper, lasts forever and does a better job."

Ronnie from Gisborne uses Clor-o-Gene from his local supermarket (not the lemon one). He soaks his dentures in it overnight then gives them a quick brush with detergent. It produces "a brilliant smile every time".

Annette from New Plymouth says her "dentist recommends dishwashing liquid and a weekly overnight soak in Janola". (Heavily diluted of course.)

Beetle from Whangarei recommends Steradent Active Plus, which comes as a powder in a 200g bottle. He says it works really well and is economical (he buys it from Pak'nSave).

Shar from Wellington says, "I use 1/4 cup of white vinegar topped up with warm water in a container (equivalent to a cup). Soak dentures overnight and brush with a little baking soda the next morning." Shar signed the message with a happy face emoticon with a very white smile.

There you go, a million ways to keep that white smile on your dentures.

Still in the bathroom, C from Auckland writes, "I cut plastic hand cream bottles in half and it is amazing how much is still left in the container that a 'pump' will not let you have (I always get a couple of weeks worth from the cut open bottle). Likewise with plastic makeup foundation/concealer creams etc -- it always keeps me going for a few more weeks."

From the bathroom to the kitchen. Rose has this lemon tip: "Try a splash of lemon on cooked silverbeet just before serving -- it's delicious." Anything to make silverbeet more appetising, especially for fussy eaters, is a great idea.

Nikita from Taupo says, "I like to chop up my silverbeet really fine and add it to home-made meatballs or beef patties. Also boil it up and puree it with my stick mixer and a bit of margarine then freeze it in portions to add to spaghetti bolognaise, lasagne mince, or pasta sauce." Sounds yum! Let us know if you have some suggestions for using silverbeet that have worked for you.

Pseudonym from Napier has this excellent tip for ripe bananas. "To make banana 'icecream', cut up ripe bananas into chunks and freeze them. Take them out of the freezer and straight into the food processor and pulse till smooth and creamy, then serve.

"You would never be able to tell that it was just frozen banana. It has a beautiful creamy consistency. My kids are dairy and gluten-intolerant and they think this banana icecream is fantastic. I also add other fruits when in season -- strawberries go very well with the banana."

SW from Mangonui writes, "In today's edition of The Northland Age someone wanted to know how to remove ballpoint pen marks from wallpaper. Although I haven't used it on wallpaper, I have found methylated spirits gets it off painted walls and also clothing and upholstery. Use a white rag, cotton wool or white kitchen paper and dab or rub gently. If the wallpaper is coloured, test it on a hidden bit first in case it affects the colour. Good luck!"

What a great bunch of helpful people the oily rag community is.

Don't forget, you can send your tips and join the Oily Rag mailing list by visiting www.oilyrag.co.nz -- or you can write to us at: Living Off the Smell of an Oily Rag, PO Box 984, Whangarei.

• Frank and Muriel Newman are the authors of Living Off the Smell of an Oily Rag in NZ. Read our wealth of tips at www.oilyrag.co.nz