HELOISE Here's hint for cleaning stainless steel sink
Dear Heloise: Do you have any helpful hints on how to clean stainless-steel sinks? No matter what I use, they still look dull. If anyone knows a solution, I know you will. Nina, Jacksonville, Fla.
According to our friends at the American Iron and Steel Institute, stainless-steel sinks should be cleaned on a regular basis to keep them in the best condition.
Clean with a mild liquid detergent and water, then rinse well and buff with a dry cloth. For greasy situations, make a solution of 4 to 8 tablespoons of ammonia to 1 quart of water. This is a great grease-cutter for stainless steel.
On stubborn stains that don't want to go away, you'll need to use a cleanser designed for stainless steel. Apply on polished stainless steel using a damp sponge or cloth, and be sure to rub lightly in the direction of the polish lines.
For a mill-rolled stainless-steel sink (shiny, mirror finish), Do not rub in the cleanser. Just apply the cleanser with a dampened sponge, let sit, and then carefully wipe up to avoid scratching the shiny surface.
I hope this helps you keep your stainless-steel sinks in tiptop shape! -- Heloise
P.S. You can always use a little vinegar to wipe out the sink and make it shine!
Dear Heloise: When traveling in Europe with my wife and daughter, we found that a small umbrella came in handy quite often -- from afternoon showers to rainy days.
For all the planning and careful packing we did, we just didn't think of an umbrella! From now on, it will be an essential in our suitcase. B.B., Fredonia, N.Y.
Dear Heloise: As I was having a new dishwasher installed, I noticed that the racks that used to hold my dishes had rollers on them and could easily roll under a bed.
One rack is now holding out-of-season shoes, and the other (my husband snipped off the prongs) is holding cookbooks. Both were recycled into instant storage containers! J. Anthony, Waxahachie, Texas
Dear Heloise: Don't throw your old towels away (you know, the ones that have the frayed edges and look terrible). I keep a few of them that I've marked with a permanent marker, signifying that they are for emergency use.
I use them to clean up large spills my little ones make, and the towels also make finger-painting cleanup a whiz. Wash and dry them, and they are ready to use again. There is no need to be concerned with stains on them, and they are much more cost-effective than paper towels. Kimberly Pokalsey, Pendleton, Ind.
Dear Heloise: My mother has congestive heart failure and sometimes needs more than one oxygen tank. She had me buy a sturdy book bag on rollers so she could put an extra tank in it for a spare.
The tank on rollers makes for easy travel for her, with no worries about running out of oxygen and no lifting the tank. Betty A., Via E-mail
XSend a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, Fax: (210) HELOISE or E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate