HELOISE: How to clean terra cotta

Dear Heloise: About this time every year, I drag out my terra-cotta planters to start my spring planting. After using them several years, I have begun to notice a yucky white film on the sides of the pots. What causes this, and how should I clean it?

A Reader in Pennsylvania

The white film is actually hard-water deposits. We have a lot of minerals in our water here in San Antonio, so I know how to help you.

Using some dish soap and a hard-bristle plastic scrub brush, give the planter a thorough cleaning, inside and out. Rinse to remove all soap residue. Now, using my favorite cleaner, vinegar, wipe the entire pot with full-strength regular or apple-cider vinegar until all the white mineral deposits have dissolved. Let the pot completely dry.

To keep the white stains at bay, brush an acrylic sealant onto the pot, inside and out.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: As I was giving my face its daily “lube job,” I thought of your mom, whom I found so helpful in every way. She advised readers to clean their faces with baby oil and then wipe away the excess, leaving a residue to keep the skin soft.

She said if this was not practical, to wash the face with soap and then apply baby oil and wipe off — doing this, you can see the dirt remaining despite the “washing.” When I started doing this, perhaps 40 years ago, people asked me what kind of moisturizer I used, and they were amazed at my answer. People still sometimes ask me what I use — my skin is so smooth. And the cost difference between baby oil and expensive cosmetic products is something else to be considered.

Barbara C., Torrington, Conn.

Dear Heloise: Last Thursday, we ordered carry-out Asian meals at work. There were leftovers, so I took a container of broccoli home, but never took it out of the car.

On Monday, when I opened my car door, the odor was, shall we say, not pleasant. After disposing of the broccoli, I poured vinegar into a dish and put the dish in the closed car. I checked in an hour, and the odor was gone. Thank you so much for your reminder to try vinegar first!

Maureen Donovan, Oshkosh, Wis.

King Features Syndicate