Hard-water stains are easily removed with white vinegar

Dear Readers: Here are some helpful hints to keep soap scum and hard-water stains off your shower head and door. Drying shower doors after every shower is a great idea, but over time, nasty hard-water stains and soap scum still might appear. The best way to get rid of them? White household vinegar!
UJust fill a spray bottle with vinegar and keep it handy. When you see that familiar haze start to form, spray and scrub with a soft-bristled brush or plastic scrubbie. Rinse with water, and your doors will shine.
UThere is no need to take down the shower head when it has a buildup from hard water. Fill a large plastic bag with vinegar and lift the bag up so the shower head is submerged. Then use a rubber band to secure the bag in place. Leave it there for a few hours or overnight. For stubborn clogs, try using a straight pin to loosen the buildup.
Vinegar is my favorite cleaner! It is so versatile and has a zillion uses. Need to clean the coffeepot, deodorize the dishcloth or make a kitchen drain smell fresh? Send for a copy of my six-page pamphlet by mailing $4 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (63 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. And while you're at it, why not pour some full-strength vinegar into the shower-door tracks? Let it soak for a while and then rinse with water. This will keep them from clogging up, too. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Whenever I am traveling, I always pack an extra, empty tote bag. This way I always have room for souvenirs or other items I purchase. Sometimes, if I don't have a bag handy, I just buy one at a store where I am shopping. This works really well for me. Marian R. in Tennessee
Dear Heloise: I have a front-loading washing machine. It is difficult to leave the door ajar when not in use, as it tends to open wider than is safe. To keep the door open a bit to allow for air circulation, I hot-glued two 1-inch tabs of hook-and-loop tape to the front -- one on the door and one on the body of the washing machine -- lining them up. I then cut a strip of tape to the desired length to keep the door open just a few inches. I hooked the loops, and now the door stays just where I want it, and I avoid a safety hazard with a fully open door. Mary Lou Sperry, Midland, Mich.
Dear Heloise: When buying favorite household products that are not carried in most stores, I save time and gasoline looking around for replacements by marking on the package where I bought it. I know right where to go. Rosemary Cowell, Huntington Beach, Calif.
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