HELOISE Check manual before cleaning oven racks

Dear Heloise: How should I clean oven racks? I remember something about hot water and ammonia in a large garbage bag. Can you help me? Hope, via e-mail
Cleaning those dirty oven racks is quite easy, but please check your oven manual first for the cleaning directions the manufacturer suggests. Or you can use the following easy-cleaning method:
UPlace the racks in a large, heavy-duty plastic garbage bag.
UPour about 1/4 cup of household sudsy ammonia into the bag and seal it with a twist-tie.
UPut the bag out of the way of children and pets -- somewhere it can be left to sit overnight safely.
UOpen the bag in a well-ventilated area, because the ammonia fumes will be strong. (Caution: Open the bag away from your face!) Put on rubber gloves, remove the racks, lay them on some newspaper and scrub them clean with a stiff brush.
URinse very well and let air-dry.
Those oven racks should be sparkling-clean once again! And remember, clean up spills in the oven as soon as possible to keep the oven and racks in tiptop shape. Heloise
Dear Heloise: When I visit my dentist every six months, she always gives me a new toothbrush and a travel-size tube of toothpaste. I use these items when I travel, thus eliminating the need to purchase new ones every time. Patricia Blanchard, via e-mail
Dear Heloise: I accidentally dropped a glass bottle on a cement steppingstone inlaid with small rocks. After carefully picking up the larger pieces, I got out the masking tape. The sticky side was perfect for picking up the tiny shards. Mission accomplished, with no cut fingers. Arlene Louden, Laguna Beach, Calif.
Dear Heloise: My 11-year-old daughter was playing with a gallon-size self-sealing plastic bag. She filled it with air and sealed it. She then held it up and said: "Hey, Mom, look! I made a pillow." The quality bag held the air, even with me pushing down on it. That made me think of camping and backpacking, where a gallon-size plastic bag could be an emergency or easily packed pillow!
If covered with a T-shirt or some other fabric, the plastic is more comfortable to the touch. It takes up no room at all in a backpack and can be used for storage during the day as well. We let out a little air to make it softer -- you can adjust it to your own comfort level.
I hope this is a new one -- my daughter would be thrilled! Mary Beth and Shaun Stearns, via e-mail
Tested, tried and loved! Tell your daughter she is one smart girl. Heloise
Dear Heloise: When transplanting cuttings from a jade plant, I was searching for sturdy sticks to support the small cuttings. In desperation, I used some wooden clothespins (not the pincher type) on either side of the cutting. They are working well, and I didn't have to cut up a dowel. Judy, via e-mail
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.
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