HELOISE It should take more than a VIN to get a key made

Dear Heloise: My co-worker George shared this hint with me. He noticed the vehicle identification number printed on the dash near the windshield of my car and on the sticker (required) and asked me why I didn't have it covered up. He told me that potential thieves could jot down the number, go to that car dealership and tell the dealer they lost the key to "their" car, and the dealer would make a duplicate key for them!
Please tell your readers to block auto VIN numbers with pieces of tape that you can't see through to avoid giving their cars away to thieves who are smart enough and patient enough to steal your car this way. Avid reader in D.C.
This was a bit startling to think about! We called several auto dealerships to ask about having a key made if all you had was a VIN number. They all said that they would need proof of ownership and a driver's license. So, it's good to know that it's not that easy. But it can't hurt to play it safe. Heloise
Dear Heloise: A simple solution to relieve clutter: Once a week, toss out one item that is gathering dust or just doesn't thrill you anymore! After a year, you will have disposed of 52 items! The trick, of course, is not to replace them! Sally Brown, Costa Mesa, Calif.
Dear Heloise: I wanted to tell you how I solved this scouring-powder problem: The open container allowed clumping, and the amount remaining was a mystery.
I placed the scouring powder in large, empty spice containers with shaker tops. Now I have a supply of scouring powder in each bathroom and the kitchen. I can easily see the amount, and the screw-top lid keeps the product from clumping. Make the transfer, using a funnel, in the kitchen sink so that if a little spills, you are ready to use that to clean the sink.
I really enjoy the column and frequently find very useful ideas. Thanks for being there for all of us. Edith, Sacramento, Calif.
Dear Edith: Love your idea, but please label the container clearly. Manufacturers suggest that you not transfer cleaning products to other containers. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Freezing grapes is not new to me. However, when retrieving some from the deep freeze recently, I found they were still good but wrinkled. So I rinsed them again and sliced and pitted them before blending them in the blender until very smooth. The sauce was delicious. Margaret Firman, Greenville, Texas
Dear Heloise: Don't you just hate it when you are mopping a floor and you have to dip the mop in the dirty water? What I do is this: I use two buckets. One has clean water in it, and the other has the squeezed-out dirty water. I feel like the floor gets cleaner this way, and it really isn't any harder. Anita R., Minneapolis
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
King Features Syndicate