HELOISE Turn old rubber-backed drapes into dropcloths
Dear Heloise: I have a great hint for those do-it-yourself folks or professional painters. I go to thrift stores or secondhand shops and buy old rubber-backed drapes for a couple of bucks, then cut off the top part that has the gathers. The old drape lies flat on the floor or carpet and becomes a paint dropcloth. Place the fabric side up to soak up spills and drips. The rubber side down prevents spills from soaking through and also will not slip when you walk on it to move your ladder. This is an economical way to keep your floors and carpets paint-free while also recycling old drapes. I use them several times before discarding them. Harriett Walker, Boardman
Dear Heloise: A gallon of milk spilled in my wife's car (due to a defective lid) under the front passenger seat. The resultant smell (and we really cleaned up immediately) is unbearable. What can we do to eliminate this offensive odor? Help! Thanks in advance. Neil Garrin, via e-mail
One of my assistants had this problem. She had to take her car to a carwash/detail shop. The workers removed the carpeting and cleaned it, as well as cleaning the entire inside of the car. They told her that if she had waited longer, the carpet would probably have had to be replaced, because once liquid soaks completely into the carpet it is difficult to remove -- and spoiled milk stinks!
Always check the cap on milk containers so that you don't have to deal with a situation like this. Good luck! Heloise
P.S. If the lid was really defective, call the store and ask to speak to the manager. The manufacturer might be responsible and could reimburse you.
Dear Heloise: Try sifting a box cake mix to get the lumps out. I tried it, and it makes the cake so nice and fluffy! Lou Stoker, Bakersfield, Calif.
Dear Heloise: I keep a master grocery list on my computer so I can look up each item's store location. I also keep a list of what I need each week by its location, putting an asterisk beside items I have coupons for. It's easy at the store to see if the item I've listed with a coupon is a saving over the bargain or sale brand.
I also keep my coupons sorted by expiration date, throwing away unused ones as they expire. Each coupon is filed in one of 12 business-size envelopes with the month written on the outside. When the envelope is emptied, I stick it at the back of the other 11. It only takes minutes to check for appropriate coupons after I make my grocery list. Linda Amick, Columbia, S.C.
Dear Heloise: I needed to put new shelf paper in my kitchen and found a really cheap way to do it. I bought a felt-backed plastic tablecloth at a store that sells items for a dollar and cut it up to fit. It's better than unlined plastic because it doesn't stick and damage the paint. I was able to line all the shelves for a dollar! V.J., via e-mail
King Features Syndicate