Dear Martha: I'd like to send cookies to my nephew, who is serving in Iraq. What types will survive the journey, and how should I package them?
A: Home-baked cookies are a wonderful way to give your nephew (and undoubtedly his friends) a taste of home.
Transit time may take more than two weeks, so look for cookies with a long shelf life. Shortbread is a good bet, and you can add variety with flavors such as chocolate or lemon. Oatmeal-raisin also has staying power, because dried fruit helps the cookies stay moist. Gingerbread men are a sturdy choice around the holidays. Steer clear of chocolate chips, which are likely to melt; candy-coated M&M's are a good substitute. Also, label any baked goods that contain nuts.
For maximum freshness, freeze the cookies until the day you're ready to send them. An efficient and economical way to mail them is in a Priority Mail Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office flat-rate box, which is 12-by-12-by-5 inches; it costs $11.95 to ship.
Wrap the cookies individually if you like, for easier distribution. Place them in a cushioned airtight container, and fit that inside the flat-rate box. (You can pad the space between the two containers with extra socks for your nephew.) Then seal the edges with packing tape.
If you want to send a package but don't have someone in mind, skip the baked goods: Soldiers are required to throw away homemade foods unless they know the sender. But prepackaged treats, as well as magazines and toiletries (packed separately), are certainly welcome. For soldiers' requests and addresses, go to www.anysoldier.com/wheretosend. For more nonprofit organizations that help those in the armed services, visit www.ourmilitary.mil/help.shtml.
Dear Martha: Is there an easy way to remove dried latex paint from my wood floor?
A: Latex-based paint isn't usually a disaster for hardwood flooring, even if the spill has gone untended. You can probably remove it with rubbing alcohol. Apply the alcohol to a clean, white cloth, and test it on a hidden area of the floor to make sure the floor's finish won't be harmed. Then rub the spill. If more friction is needed to remove the paint, switch to a soft-bristle brush or a plastic scraper.
Another option is to use a straight razor blade. Hold the blade almost parallel to the floor, taking care that you don't scrape the wood or its finish. (If you remove some wax, you'll have to treat the area afterward.)
If rubbing alcohol doesn't work, try a product designed to clean dried latex paint, such as Goof Off, which is available at hardware stores and online. Be sure to read the instructions. Test the product on a small inconspicuous area, and use it sparingly, following the methods described above, until all traces of the paint are removed.
Dear Martha: How can I remove the deposits inside my teakettle and coffeemaker?
A: This residue, called scale, is a buildup of minerals — primarily calcium and magnesium — found in hard water. Scale is harmless, but you're not alone in dealing with it: More than 85 percent of the country has hard water, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
To remove the deposits inside your teakettle, boil equal parts white vinegar and water. Turn off the heat, and let the kettle sit for a few hours. Rinse and repeat as needed until the interior is clean.
If you have a drip coffeemaker, it will also need routine cleaning, because the deposits can slow the flow of water and affect the flavor of the coffee.
Once a month, fill the reservoir with equal parts white vinegar and water, and turn on the coffeemaker. Halfway through the cycle, turn it off. Let it sit for an hour, and then let the cycle finish. Afterward, run a few cycles with just water to rinse.
Questions should be addressed to Ask Martha, care of Letters Department, Martha Stewart Living, 601 West 26th Street, 9th floor, New York, N.Y. 10001. Questions may also be sent by e-mail to: mslletters@marthastewart.com. Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number. Questions of general interest will be answered in this column; Martha Stewart regrets that unpublished letters cannot be answered individually. For more information on the topics covered in the Ask Martha column, visit www.marthastewart.com.
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