Friday, October 30, 2009
Dear Heloise: I’m going to paint my living room, and I want to wash the walls first. What’s the best cleaning solution to use? Thank you. Martha Brooks, via e-mail
Probably the easiest thing you can try is a mild solution of baking soda and water. For large jobs, mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 quart of warm water in a small bucket. You don’t want to use anything too acidic that will react with the paint or primer.
Do you want other homemade, low-cost cleaning solutions that will save lots of money? I have just the six-page pamphlet you need! To order, send $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (61 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Cleaners, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. I’ve got solutions for carpets, microwaves and even grout!
Painting a room is a good project to freshen up your home without spending too much. Here are some wall-prep hints:
•Empty the room or use dropcloths to cover large pieces of furniture.
•Clean the walls so the paint will go on smoother.
•Use primer to cover stains.
•Repair drywall and plug any nail holes. You may need to use sandpaper and fresh spackle a few times to make the wall smooth.
•Vacuum windowsills and baseboards to minimize dust that could get in the paint pans or rollers.
•Use masking tape or green painter’s tape to mask off trim work, windows, doors, light-switch faceplates, etc. Heloise
Dear Heloise: When traveling, I dislike the folds in clothing (which require ironing), so I’ve created an easier way to pack without the fold lines.
Choosing the clothes I intend to pack, I lay the longest item (usually my robe) on the bed. Then I lay my slacks on top in layers. Next, I lay my pajamas or nightie, followed by blouses and sweaters on top of it all. Then I fold the pile in three sections to fit entirely in the suitcase.
Plastic bags with shoes, underclothing or toiletries are easily tucked into the sides of the suitcase. Rose Baiardi, Florida
Dear Heloise: While mending torn edges of small bath towels, I broke the needle of my sewing machine. It was Sunday, and I knew the specialty sewing center would be closed, so I went to a large department store. I taped my broken needle to a paper with my model number, etc. With the store’s help, I found a universal needle that fit my machine perfectly! Martha Dean Cagle, Tyler, Texas
Dear Heloise: You recently ran a letter from a person who thought she was the only one in the world not to know about the “press here” tabs located on the end of aluminum foil. I bolted from my chair to look at my rolls and instantly found the tabs. And now my rolls do not escape from their boxes. Carol, Fort Wayne. Ind.
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