HELOISE: Remedy sought for noisy floors

Dear Heloise: Is there a simple remedy for noisy hardwood floors? I have tried baby powder and mineral oil. Thank you.

Chris, via e-mail

There could be several causes. There aren’t enough nails in the floor, the subfloor is weak, or you have too much or not enough humidity in the room.

We checked with the National Wood Flooring Association, and the humidity factor is the most common culprit. Regulate the humidity of your home year-round. Even in northern climates it can get very hot and sticky in the summer. You may be able to just open doors and windows for airflow through the house, but an air conditioner is a good way to dehumidify. In winter or dry climates, add moisture to the room by boiling some water on the stove or opening the dishwasher during the drying cycle. Your home should be at a relative humidity of 50 percent or below.

Baby powder can work temporarily to quiet the floors, but you may want a general contractor to size up the situation.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I keep my dust cloths in one of those plastic-bag storage sleeves that hang up. Then when I need one, I simply pull it out of the bottom. If I wash it for reuse, it goes in again at the top.

Jean in Connecticut

Dear Heloise: To clean Venetian blinds, use a fluffy dust wand, but spray it with an inexpensive duster spray and let dry thoroughly. Dust really sticks, and this cleans both sides at once.

Caroline in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Caroline, you’re right. You don’t have to spend big bucks on cleaners! For some great recipes to make inexpensive cleaners for just about any surface, send for my six-page Heloise’s Homemade Cleaning Solutions pamphlet. To receive a copy, just send $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (61 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Cleaners, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. FYI: Grab a small paintbrush to dust in corners, crevices and tight spaces.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I never put wet garbage in the trash can. If I can’t put it in the garbage disposal, I put it in a plastic bag and store it in my freezer until garbage day. Thank you for all of your helpful hints!

E.K.L. in Colorado

Dear Heloise: For packages I send to my 10 great-grandchildren, I use the plastic bags from grocery stores and drugstores as filler. I fill one bag with enough other bags to make it sturdy, then, if needed, add more bags. Of course, I save all the bags from my shopping.

Stella in San Antonio

Dear Heloise: Shop dollar stores for bargain washcloths, bathroom rugs/accessories, toiletries, food items, pens, pencils, notebooks, cleaning products, laundry baskets and lots of other items for students headed to college.

Betty Elliott, via e-mail

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