Monday, September 19, 2005
Dear Readers: Here are some important hints to keep the plumbing in your home running smoothly:
an old coffee can or other can and let it cool. Wipe any congealed grease from pots and pans before you wash them.
UIf your kitchen disposal is smelly, turn on the cold water, toss a handful of baking soda and lemon peels into it and turn it on for 30 seconds, then run lots of cold water.
UOnce a week, run hot water down the drain to help keep it clog-free.
UIn the bathroom, install strainers in the tub and shower to catch hair and soap chips ... and remember to clean them regularly.
UTest for a leaky toilet tank by putting a dozen drops of food coloring into the tank. Wait 15 minutes. If you see dye in the bowl, it may be time to change out the flapper. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I love taking pictures of flowers and plants. I have orchids and African violets inside and lovely plants outside.
I use the extra photos as bookmarks and enjoy the photos each time I read a book. Marge Alson, Crystal, Minn.
Dear Heloise: If your white porcelain sinks get small chips, they can be repaired using plain white nail polish (not pearl). Mine are undetectable now and have been for some time. Water has not washed away this repair, and I saved money by not buying the commercial repair products.
I enjoy your column so very much in the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram (Arlington Edition). Nejiana Ford, Arlington, Texas
Dear Heloise: Having gotten tired of bleaching face cloths to get makeup off of them, I decided to try the disposable daily facial-cleansing cloths. Not only do they do a great job, but after I have cleaned my face, I rinse out the fabric and drape it over the faucet so that in the morning when I put my makeup on, I can wipe my fingertips clean using the cloth.
I then rinse it out again and, when dry, tuck it into an empty tissue container. The cloths are great for wiping up little spots and spills. Lorraine Linger, Bonita Springs, Fla.
Dear Heloise: A tablespoon of white vinegar added to 1 cup of plain yogurt makes an excellent mock sour cream. Gert, via e-mail
Sound off
Dear Heloise: My pet peeve is the tags that the manufacturers sew on the collars of shirts, blouses, etc. They irritate, itch and at times hang outside of a garment with a low collar. Why wouldn't it be possible to place these tags on the bottom, thereby eliminating the problem? Virginia W. Dornburg, Fort Myers, Fla.
Manufacturers must be listening, because some labels are sewn onto a side seam, and some T-shirts now have the labels stamped on the material itself. Heloise
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.
King Features Syndicate