DEAR READERS: AS WE ALL KNOW, DRAPES AND CURTAINS GET DUSTY AND DIRTY. THEY SHOULD BE DUSTED AND CLEANED ON A REGULAR BASIS TO PREVENT PERMANENT STAINING. BUT DRAPERIES THAT HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THE

Dear Readers: As we all know, drapes and curtains get dusty and dirty. They should be dusted and cleaned on a regular basis to prevent permanent staining. But draperies that have been exposed to the sun for a long time, or are really old, might need to be replaced.
To keep them looking good, take these steps:
For a quick fix, freshen curtains in the dryer. Set it to the "air only" cycle and run for several minutes.
For dealing with sheers (and to avoid ironing), wash them (as the label indicates) and then dissolve a cup of Epsom salts in hot water. Dip the sheers into the mixture and hang them in the shower to dry.
For washable curtains and drapes, vacuum or shake off dust and loose dirt. Soak badly soiled curtains in warm water and fabric-safe bleach -- if the label says it's OK for the fabric. Then wash in warm or cold water, whichever the label allows, along with regular detergent. Select a high water level so the drapes can move freely in the washing machine. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I saw you on television recently. You have a recipe for window cleaner that contained water, alcohol, vinegar and some essential oil. I've looked and cannot find the recipe. Can you please print it? Connie Taylor of Granite Shoals, Texas
Connie, this is an updated window cleaner, and it is so cheap to make and works just like expensive commercial products. Just mix 12-16 ounces of water, 1/2 cup white or apple-cider vinegar, 1/4 cup (70 percent) rubbing alcohol, 1-2 drops of blue or green food color (if desired) and 1-2 drops lavender or orange or your favorite essential oil. When cleaning windows, I use newspaper because it doesn't leave lint behind, you are recycling and newspapers are almost free. Spray the newspaper first (not the window), then wipe down the window. If you wipe in one direction on one side, then the other direction on the other side, you can see which side has streaks. All this costs is a little elbow grease and a few cents. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I read the hint from the person in Indiana about tying knots in stained clothing before putting it in the laundry. If you tie the knots too tight, you could damage the fabric. My clothes stay good for years and years, but I take good care of my "dirty" clothes as well as the clean. Why not teach the children to pretreat their own spots? You can buy spot remover in spray, gel, rub-on, etc. Place some near their hamper or the laundry chute. Jimmie Hubbard, Big Stone Gap, Va.
Good advice, but be sure to read the directions, as some laundry-stain products should not sit on the material for too long. Heloise
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