The top five hints for using vinegar are reprinted

heloise

The top five hints for using vinegar are reprinted

Dear Readers: Have you ever wondered what the top five Heloise vinegar hints are? Well, wonder no more, because here they are:

U Coffee maker ¬≠— Use to clean and remove mineral deposits. Just fill the reservoir with undiluted vinegar, turn it on and let it go through the brew cycle, turn off, pour the vinegar back in and let sit 20 minutes. Repeat if necessary. Follow by running water through several times. Bonus hint: Put 1‚Ñ2 cup baking soda down the sink drain, then pour in the hot vinegar. Let sit 10 minutes and flush with 30 seconds of cold water.

UCloudy drinking glasses — Soak in warm to hot, full-strength vinegar for half an hour or so, and scrub with a ball of nylon net. If they still look milky, unfortunately they are etched.

UTenderize tough cuts of meat, like pot roast — First, pierce the meat with a sharp knife, then marinate in 1 cup of apple-cider vinegar mixed with enough water to cover the meat. Cover the container and let the meat marinate in the refrigerator overnight or up to 24 hours. Remove meat, pat dry and cook or broil.

UMake a great money-saving window cleaner — Mix equal amounts of household vinegar and water. Put in a spray bottle and label clearly. Along with newspaper, use this cleaner to make those windows sparkle.

UWeeds be gone — Pour full-strength vinegar onto weeds growing around curbs or sidewalk cracks.

If this list whets your appetite and you want to know more money-saving ways to use vinegar around your home, send $4 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (58 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001, and you will receive a six-page pamphlet chock-full of vinegar uses. Bonus Heloise vinegar hint: Help eliminate lingering odors when cooking cabbage by adding a small amount of vinegar to the water. Heloise

Dear Heloise: For years, I have sprayed perfume into my hair each morning before dressing. It doesn’t get on my clothes; it clings to the natural oils in my hair and lasts for hours. I have had people ask 10 hours later what fragrance I am wearing, when I can no longer smell it. Margie in Kerrville, Texas

This is probably OK, since many hairsprays contain alcohol, and spray colognes do also. I sometimes do this with a light spray on the back of my neck. Heloise

Dear Heloise: We travel with antique cars for tours and shows. We use paper towels to keep our old machines looking good. The Sunday newspaper wrappers are excellent for keeping full rolls of paper towels from getting wet during our travels. Be sure the bags are not damaged and leak. Just puff into the bag and see if it holds air; if so, you are good to go. They keep rags and items organized and clean in vehicle trunks, too. John Young, San Antonio

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