Q: How can I safely pack away some of my children’s books?
By Martha Stewart
Q: How can I safely pack away some of my children’s books?
A: Books that your kids really love are likely to become favorites for the next generation as well, so it’s a wonderful idea to save them for future enjoyment.
They should be stored away from light in a pest-free place not subject to major fluctuations in temperature or humidity, says Margaret Tice, coordinator of children’s services for the New York Public Library. A closet is a good choice. Try to avoid an uninsulated room like an attic or basement, although the heat of the former is preferable to the damp of the latter.
Before packing, wipe the books with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust and dirt. Check for moisture. Pages that feel damp or have a musty odor should be aired out completely in a well-ventilated room.
Place books in new medium-size cardboard boxes. Lay the books flat, with the largest, heaviest ones on the bottom and lighter ones on top. (It’s best to avoid standing the books on end, which can stress their bindings.)
Store softcover books separate from hardcover ones, since the pages of paperbacks generally contain more damaging acid, a byproduct of the manufacturing process, says Tice. And be careful not to overfill the boxes, which can also damage bindings.
If any of the books have great sentimental or monetary value, purchase high-quality, acid-free archival boxes (they’re available in a range of sizes at specialty shops) and store the volumes one to a box.
Before you pack your children’s books away, take into account the subject matter, says Tice. “Some books are timeless and their topics age well, but some – like science books – you don’t need to hang on to,” she says. “Consider sharing these with friends or neighbors, or donate them to a library or school.”
MAKING HOMEMADE BABY FOOD
Q: How much homemade baby food can I make at a time, and how should I store it?
A: Preparing baby food at home is easy and makes for nutritious, tasty meals for your little one. However, as simple as the process is (steaming or stewing vegetables and fruits such as carrots, apples or red peppers, then pureeing until smooth), it can still be time-consuming. So it’s wise to make larger batches and store them in the freezer (they’ll keep for up to one month).
Simply divide the puree among the cups of an ice-cube tray (each cup should hold 2 tablespoons to 3 tablespoons), and freeze until solid. Then transfer the cubes to a resealable plastic bag to protect them from freezer burn and keep them clean and safe. Label the bag with the date and type of food.
To thaw the cubes for serving, place one or two in a small bowl set in a pan of water, and heat over low heat until just barely warm to the touch.
If you use a microwave, be careful of dangerous hot spots – stir your baby’s food well, and test it in a few places with your finger.
How much food should you cook? As a general rule, 2 pounds of fresh produce yields 2 cups to 3 cups of finished puree, or about 24 to 30 frozen cubes. Visit www.marthastewart.com for baby-food recipes.
CLEANING BATH TOYS
Q: Do bath toys need washing?
A: Despite regular bathing, tub toys need their own special washing at least once a month to remove dirt, bacteria and mildew, which thrive in warm, moist places like bathrooms.
A soak in a diluted white-vinegar solution will get them clean – vinegar is safe, inexpensive and highly effective at getting rid of soap residue. It also acts as a disinfectant. Simply fill a bucket, large bowl or even the tub with warm water and add 1/2 cup white vinegar per gallon of water. Toss in the toys and leave them for about 10 minutes before scrubbing them gently with a sponge.
To clean the insides of squeezable toys, which may contain trapped bath water, immerse them in the vinegar solution and gently squeeze a few times.
Then empty them and lay them out on a towel or wire baking rack to dry.If stains persist, clean the toys again with a solution of 1 part chlorine bleach to 100 parts water (approximately 1 tablespoon bleach to 2 quarts water) and rinse well afterward.
Martha Stewart is a well-known domestic diva who has written several books on homemaking. Questions should be sent to ms********@***********rt.com or to Ask Martha, care of Letters Department, Martha Stewart Living, 11 W. 42nd Street, New York, N.Y. 10036. Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number. Questions of general interest will be answered in this column; unfortunately, unpublished letters cannot be answered individually.
