Friday, February 20, 2009
Dear Heloise: How do I get streaks off stainless-steel appliances? I have bought two brands of cleaner (aerosol and polish) made specifically for stainless steel, but my fridge and oven still look bad. The fridge has streaks from the water dispenser where water has run down the side. Any ideas? The commercial polishes seem to just smudge. Heidi of Punta Gorda, Fla.
You are not alone! I have a stainless-steel refrigerator and am always wiping it down, since fingerprints seem to reappear. Stainless-steel appliances and sinks come in many different finishes, so it’s important to use the recommended method and cleaning agent for your appliance. Check the owner’s manual or online for the manufacturer’s suggestions for cleaning and products to use.
First, do no harm! Test a small area with a cleaner, rubbing with the grain. Cleaners containing sodium chloride (salt) or chlorine (bleach) should not be used. Generally, a mild detergent and warm water will do the job, but if the grime is embedded, a mild, nonabrasive powder is OK. Don’t use anything abrasive on the surface — this goes for cleaners, metal brushes, etc.
Grease can be removed by using a solution of 4-8 tablespoons of non-sudsy ammonia in a quart of water. You must rinse well after any type of cleaning, then wipe dry. If the cleaning agent is not completely rinsed off, it could harm the surface.
Once your appliances are streak-free, try washing and drying the stainless-steel surface frequently or as soon as a spot or streak appears. The longer the stain remains, the harder it will be to remove! Heloise
Dear Heloise: I put stick-on animal decals on our luggage. I put them on all sides and the bottom. They are easy to spot on the airline conveyor belt, and it sure does help with all the different colors and sizes of luggage out there. Everett R. Herbert, San Diego
Dear Heloise: As a mom, it’s hard for me to keep track of my grocery list while keeping tabs on the kids at the grocery store. My answer was to create a document on my computer that lists each aisle. Then I added lines underneath. Every week, I print it off, and when I need something, I write it under the appropriate aisle. Jessica in Munster, Ind.
Dear Heloise: After driving in snow and slush, we drive into our garage, and it falls off and melts on the garage floor, creating a mess and possible slipping hazard. We have an easy solution to clean the mess. We grab a shovelful of fresh snow and throw it on the slushy, watery mess. The new snow absorbs the slush and water, making it easy to shovel or push-broom the mess out of the garage. Carolyn H. from Northern Indiana
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