Not much tops the versatility of baking soda

Dear Readers: In this day and age, would you think that you could buy something for less than $1 that could have a multitude of cooking and cleaning uses?
It's true! All-natural and inexpensive baking soda can do everything from removing tarnish from silver to getting rid of garage-floor stains. And it's found in some really delicious recipes.
In fact, I'll bet that you might already have a box of baking soda in the pantry or the back of the refrigerator. So, instead of using an expensive, possibly abrasive cleaner, try sprinkling a little baking soda on an old toothbrush, and use it to clean the area where the sink and the stove meet the counter or to remove tea or coffee stains from your favorite mug.
There are far too many baking-soda hints to list in my column, so I have put together a six-page pamphlet that you can have by sending $4 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (60 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Baking Soda, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. But, there is one hint that needs repeating: If a fire should break out while you're cooking, throw baking soda at the base of the flames. Never use water or flour. If it's a grease fire, be careful. Tossing in baking soda can cause the hot grease to splatter, so smother the fire by covering it with a lid. Heloise
Dear Heloise: We have moved many times, both on our own and with moving professionals. Many times we've used this hint: Pack a survival kit that consists of linens and pillows for everyone's bed, a roll of toilet paper and paper towels, a telephone (in the days before cell phones), soap and bath towels for that first shower in the new home. It makes those first few days so much easier. Once the beds were assembled, the kids knew to look for this box so they could get their beds ready. When the box is unloaded from the truck, be sure to place it where you can find it at the end of the day! Martha Disberger, via e-mail
Dear Heloise: For those who crochet, I have a great hint that my sister came up with. Put your skein of thread in the plastic bag that your newspapers come in. It will keep the thread coming out evenly and untangled. Doris Urbaneck, San Antonio
Did you know that it's not a good idea to store your freshly dry-cleaned clothes in plastic dry-cleaner bags? It's OK for a few weeks, maybe, but any longer and you risk problems. Moisture can get trapped in the plastic, causing your clothes to mildew; the bags can also cause what's called fume fading -- where your whites turn yellow and your colors fade. So, to be safe, take clothes out of the plastic as soon as possible. If you're worried about dust, store clothes in garment bags made of cloth. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Years ago, I began shaking out the items I was removing from the washing machine before placing them in the dryer. The result was that everything came out less wrinkled. Rita in Maine
XSend a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, Fax: (210) HELOISE or E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate