Cleaning hairbrushes and combs can be quick and easy

Dear Heloise: You have mentioned a hint on how to clean hairbrushes and combs. It had to do with baking soda, I think. Can you please reprint this hint again? Joe, via e-mail
Joe, I'd be happy to repeat this hint, and it's quick and easy, too!
All you need to do is fill a container --a glass canning jar works well -- with some warm water and add a couple of tablespoons of baking soda, then stir the mixture well. Now clean any hair out of the brush's bristles and then add the brush/comb -- make sure that the solution completely covers the teeth or bristles (this cannot be used on wooden brushes). Allow it to soak for an hour or so, then rinse well in hot water, and all the "gunk" should come right off. Heavier residue might require a little scrubbing, and an old toothbrush works great for this. Routinely clean your brushes and combs so that buildup from hair products doesn't get too bad. Heloise
Fast facts
Here are some uses for an empty check box (separate the top and bottom, and you have two):
Put in a drawer to hold paper clips, etc.
It's great for carrying coupons.
Handy for keeping business cards in one place.
Use to hold packets of seeds for flowers, vegetables, etc.
Dear Heloise: I photograph racing events, especially amateur motocross, and post selected pictures on my Web site. Most of these events do not publish programs or entry lists, so I had trouble matching names to the riders. But all events post race lists with riders and numbers so that riders know which race they are in. I now take pictures of these race lists so I can easily match rider names with their numbers in the pictures. This hint would work for any number of similar-type events. Jim R., Monticello, Ark.
Dear Heloise: I could never find lipstick, mascara, etc., when I needed them. I had lots of cosmetics and always had to spend so much time looking for this or that. So, I bought a fishing tackle box for my makeup. It is wonderful -- it has lots of compartments and is just perfect. Now all my makeup is in one place and easy to find. Alma in Texas
Sound off
Dear Heloise: I have a beef with catalog-order shipping charges. I just cannot understand how a company can justify charging for shipping based on the dollar value of what you have ordered. If your order is relatively lightweight but costly, you will be charged based on the value! I don't understand that theory. Just give me a justifiable charge based on the weight of the item or don't charge for shipping. Judy Verheggen, Bakersfield, Calif.
Send 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