HELOISE: Rub oil into hair to remove glob of gum

Dear Heloise: Oh, no! My daughter got a big glob of gum in her hair! What can I do besides cutting it out? Help!

Viane in Texas

Stop! Don’t cut — reach for the veggie, baby or mineral oil instead.

The old hint involved peanut butter, petroleum jelly and real mayonnaise, which works, but the Heloise update is to use vegetable, baby or mineral oil. It’s really the oil in the other products that does the job. Just work the oil in really well until the gum comes off easily. Then wash your hair well to remove any traces of the oil.

FYI: If you use real mayonnaise, it makes a great conditioner! Before you wash your hair, rub in a tablespoon or so of real mayonnaise, paying attention to the ends, where it’s needed most. Put plastic wrap or a plastic bag around your hair so the mayonnaise won’t drip. Put a towel in the dryer, and when it’s warm, wrap it around your head for about 30 minutes so the heat can help the mayonnaise do its magic. Follow up with a couple of shampoos using cool water to remove the mayo, and your hair will be in tiptop condition.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: This is in response to the letter regarding liquid versus powdered laundry detergent in a washing machine.

We have our own well and septic system, and because of the septic system, we have to be very careful about what goes down the drain. About a year ago, the septic system required maintenance due to clogging. When the gentleman opened up the system, it was totally clogged with nondissolved powdered laundry detergent that I had been using. My washer and dryer are front-loaders, only about three years old and in good operating condition.

It was advised that I use only liquid detergent. He made a believer out of me.

Kristine in Missouri

A good hint to consider! Also, if you have a front-load washer, remember to use a high-efficiency detergent. If using a powder (or liquid), use only the recommended amount. More is not better!

Heloise

Hi, Heloise: I have some old glass hand-lotion bottles that I like to refill, and it is hard to get lotion into those small openings. I take a turkey injector, remove the needle, and the opening at the top is large enough to pour my favorite lotion into. Then I put in the plunger and inject the lotion into the bottle. This does not make such a mess or waste lotion. I place the injector into a zippered plastic bag and save until the next time.

Beverly in Bastrop, La.

Dear Heloise: I thought I’d share my method for removing stems from strawberries. I use a grapefruit spoon. It works like a charm.

Lila McGuire, Temple, Texas

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