The Health Blog

Oven Cleaners

Most oven cleaners are based on caustic soda and are highly corrosive and irritant, even to normal, healthy people.

The best way to keep your oven clean is never to allow grease and spills to become encrusted. Wash it down each time you use it while it is still warm with a solution of sodium bicarbonate in hot water (one tablespoon to 300 ml/1/2 pint water), or clean with washing-up liquid. Never allow grease to build up. It is hard work, but make it a habit and it will save you using a noxious cleaner.

If the oven is already dirty, sprinkle salt or sodium bicarbonate on to the moistened surfaces when the oven is warm, and allow them to stand for some time. Rinse and wash thoroughly.

Washing soda is a very effective oven cleaner, but it cannot be used on self-cleaning liners or on certain enamels as it will damage the surfaces. Read your cooker’s instructions or contact the manufacturers to find out if you can use it.

Silver Cleaners

Most silver cleaners are solvent-based and give off fumes. To clean tarnished silver, make a solution of one part washing soda and 20 parts water in a washing-up bowl. Put in a piece of aluminium foil. Immerse the silver and leave for about one minute. This causes a chemical reaction (non-hazardous) and the tarnish from the silver is transferred to the foil. Rinse well, dry and buff with a dry cloth. Chrome can be polished with a solution of sodium bicarbonate.

*309\117\8*

Here you will find instructions for cooking the following foods for weaning:

• Amaranth • Rye

• Buckwheat • Sago

• Millet • Tapioca

• Oats • Vegetable and fruit juices

• Rice

If your baby is chemically sensitive, use filtered or bottled water.

Amaranth

Serve puffed amaranth, mashed with a little water.

Buckwheat

40 g (1 1\2 oz) buckwheat flakes 300 ml (A pint) water

Stir the flakes into the water in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

To cook in a microwave, put the flakes and water in a large, covered bowl. Heat at full power for VA minutes. Stir, then heat at full power for a further VA minutes. Leave to stand for 10 minutes. Make sure that the mixture is cool enough before serving.

Millet

65 g (2 1\2 oz) millet flakes 300 ml (1\2 pint) water

Mix the flakes into the water in a saucepan. Bring to the boil, stirring all the time, until the porridge thickens. Turn off the heat. Cover tightly and leave to stand in a warm place. Thin with water if necessary before serving.

To cook in a microwave, follow the instructions for Buckwheat (above).

Oats

40 g (11\2 oz) porridge oats 300 ml (1\2 pint) water

Stir the oats into the water in a saucepan. Bring to the boil and boil for 1 minute, stirring.

To cook in a microwave, follow the instructions for Buckwheat (above).

Rice

Either cook ordinary rice (white, for preference) in water and liquidise with boiled water to a fine puree, or give ricecakes or plain rice puffs, salt and sugar-free (Kallo brand available from wholefood shops). (Baby must be able to chew to take these.) Alternatively, cook 50 g (2 oz) rice flakes in 300 ml (1\2 pint) water, following the instructions given for Buckwheat (above).

Rye

Give Ryvita Original Crispbread if the baby can chew, or soak the crispbread in water, mash it a little and give it by spoon.

Sago

25 g (1 oz) pearl sago 300 ml (1\2 pint) water

Mix the sago and water in a saucepan. Bring slowly to the boil, stirring constantly, then cover and allow to simmer gently for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently. The mixture will turn clear and soft when ready. Add more water if necessary.

Tapioca

20 g (3\4 oz) pearl tapioca 300 ml (1\2pint) water

Follow the instructions given for Sago. Vegetable and fruit juices

You can make your own vegetable and fruit juices by simmering a 25-50 g (1-2 oz) piece of vegetable, or 50 g (2 oz) dried or fresh fruit in 600 ml (1 pint) water, then straining for a thin, flavoured drink, or liquidising for a thicker juice.

Fennel, carrot and parsnip can be popular drinks. Try also apricot, fig or prune fruit drinks.

*241\117\8*

If you have intractable problems with damp or are in a very mouldy location, say near a river or canal, you may have to consider moving house to a drier situation. If you cannot move, or have very specific damp problems, you could consider using a dehumidifier to keep down humidity and mould levels. If you do use one, you need to take great care that the dehumidifier itself is not a source of moulds. Mould spores can grow on the inside, and in the collecting containers of dehu-midifiers; they are then blown back into the room with the drier air. If you use one, you must empty it frequently and keep it scrupulously clean, often wiping it down inside with a Borax solution.

If you have an intractably damp cellar, porch or cupboard, keep its door closed as much as possible, and seal it with draught-proofing material. Mould spores can seep through a house from such an isolated source, and opening a door frequently or leaving it open will blow moulds constantly through the house.

Moulds are found in house dust wherever it collects. Using filters on a vacuum cleaner can prevent moulds being dispersed around the room in the vacuum exhaust.

*172\117\8*