Clean grill racks by soaking them in ammonia

Dear Heloise: After pulling out the barbecue pit, I noticed that the racks had not been cleaned before it was stored, making cleaning now a little tougher. Do you have a hint to help tackle this job? Willis in Houston
For all of you out there who are sporting shorts and tackling yardwork, it's time to dust off the ol' grill. So, roll up your sleeves, and let's get started.
First, check your owner's manual for specific directions before attempting any cleaning method.
If you can't find instructions, here's a Heloise Hint that will help you get the job done: Remove the racks and put them in a large, heavy-duty plastic trash bag, then pour in 1/4 cup of sudsy ammonia, close the bag tightly and secure. Important: Place in a well-ventilated area away from children and pets.
After 12 or more hours (a good overnight project), put on rubber gloves and open the bag, holding it away from your face. Remove the racks, place them on layers of newspaper and scrub both sides with a good, stiff brush. Then, wash the racks well in warm, soapy water, rinse and dry. Now that the racks are ready to use, here's how you can receive a copy of my eight-page pamphlet full of barbecue and sauce recipes, how-tos and more. Just send $3 along with a self-addressed, stamped (60 cents), long envelope to: Heloise/Barbecue, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. HINT: Anytime you are grilling outdoors, keep a spray bottle of water, jug of water or hose close by. Heloise
Dear Heloise: It's bathing-suit season again. When I travel by air during this time of the year, I carry my bathing suit in my carry-on. I am hard to fit and hard to please when it comes to a bathing suit, and there would be no way that I'd have any luck finding one to my liking in a strange place. Denise Winarchick, via e-mail
You are sooooo right. Always carry important essentials, medicine, jewelry, travel documents, etc., in your carry-on. It's sure to be with you when other luggage might not. P.S. This is especially important if you are going on a trip with children who "must" get in the pool right away. Ask my friend Rip, who insisted that the family (including two kids) pack bathing suits, shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops in their carry-ons. He's glad they did -- their checked luggage spent a day "touring the Mexico City airport." A good lesson for all travelers. Heloise
Dear Heloise: My husband keeps a vegetable garden in our back yard, so on one trip to the nursery, I happened to find a neat little pair of rubber shoes, made just for clogging around in a muddy garden. They are relatively inexpensive and come in a variety of colors and sizes for both genders.
Now I also use them when I shampoo carpets and mop floors. Their rubber soles are perfect -- no water seeps into them. They rinse off easily, and they feel great on my feet. R. Snyder, via e-mail
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
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