HELOISE: Yellow stains meet match

Dear Heloise: I had yellow stains on the arms of a white long-sleeved cotton shirt and I found a good way to remove them. I used hydrogen peroxide and cotton balls first, but that got the stains off only one sleeve (the stains on the other sleeve were a little worse). I mixed one part hydrogen peroxide, one part water, and one part baking soda, and with that solution scrubbed the stains a little harder. The yellow is gone; my shirt is as good as new!

Heather in Texas

How smart, and I hope others will benefit from your hint. Just be aware that hydrogen peroxide acts like a slower, milder bleaching agent. So you should test a spot, particularly on colored material.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: My way of cleaning those dirty metal miniblinds: Put some laundry detergent (about 1/4 cup — Heloise) and a scoop of oxygen cleaner in the bathtub, add warm to hot water and soak for about 30 minutes. Lift them up and down in the water several times. Rinse in the tub, or hang on a clothesline, if possible.

Phyllis, via e-mail

Phyllis, cleaning never takes a break! I have compiled some of my favorite cleaning solutions in a handy pamphlet. Readers, if you would like to receive one, send $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (61 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Cleaning Solutions, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Clean your window while your blinds are off using 1/2 cup of white or apple-cider vinegar and 1/2 cup of water. Spray on and wipe to a shine with newspaper.

Heloise

Dear Readers: How to repurpose cloth drawstring bags that cheeses come in?

Use to carry makeup in your handbag.

Hold loose CDs in the car.

Make a small first-aid kit with bandages, tape, gloves and small scissors.

Store a portable GPS or cell phone in one.

Store markers in for kids to use at a restaurant.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: Cleaning the racks in the oven has always been very hard for me, but then I came up with this idea. I put a large towel on the garage floor and placed the rack on it. I poured baking soda with water over the rack, folded the towel and left it until morning. All I had to do then was use a soft brush. The gunk came off, easy as pie. I won’t dread this job anymore!

S.O. in Kansas

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate