Tried-and-true method removes candle wax

Dear Heloise: I am wondering if you have any advice for candle wax that gets spilled on a tablecloth. How do you recommend getting the wax off? Dede B., via e-mail

The tried-and-true Heloise method for removing candle wax: Place the item in the freezer for a few days to let it harden. Then use a butter knife or spoon to pop the wax off. You must be very careful with lace or vintage tablecloths!

Once you’ve removed as much of the wax as you can, there might still be some wax left. Place paper towels over and under the stain, and turn your iron to medium (NOT hot) and gently press. The wax should transfer onto the towels. Change to fresh ones as many times as needed. Heloise

Dear Heloise: My daughter, Fiona, came up with this idea. You know how some containers of frosting have sprinkles in the lid that you can decorate with? Instead of peeling off the foil lining, Fiona suggested poking a few holes in it. This effectively creates a shaker that you can use to dispense the sprinkles. It works great! Fiona is 10 years old. Elizabeth A. Doherty, Monroe, N.Y.

Give Fiona a big Heloise hug for being so smart! Please write again. Heloise

Fast Facts

Dear Heloise: I have found many uses for colored plastic clothespins:

UHold paperwork that needs attention.

UUse to finish off gift bags.

UPut one on a bundle going to the post office. J.R. Sowell, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Dear Heloise: In addition to keeping track of photos in my travel journal, I use a page to list all my gift or souvenir purchases and their value in U.S. dollars so I can easily complete the customs forms when I return to the U.S. Elizabeth Goza, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I would like to know how to clean my silk plants without buying the expensive spray cleaners they sell in stores. Thank you. Lorraine DeStefano, West Palm Beach, Fla.

This question comes up often, and one of the easiest ways to clean silk plants or flowers is to use cornmeal. Put a small amount of cornmeal in a plastic or paper bag, put the plant in upside down and hold the bag closed around the stems (which are sticking out). Give it several shakes until the dust is gone. To prevent cornmeal dust from getting all over you and your house, you might want to do this outdoors. Heloise

Sound Off

Dear Heloise: I really get annoyed with people who go through the drive-in window at the bank without first making out a deposit slip. It surely would speed things up if they would make out these slips before their turn at the window! Annoyed in Abilene, Texas

SBlt 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