HELOISE: Solution makes jewelry sparkle

Dear Heloise: When I got married, my jeweler told me about a great way to clean diamonds, some gems and gold jewelry. Do not use this method on silver, opals or pearls.

Get a small jar and put in 1/3 ammonia, 1/3 dishwashing liquid and 1/3 water. Shake well and insert jewels into it, and let sit for a few minutes. Remove and use an old toothbrush to scrub, then rinse with water.

Erin R. from Ventura, Calif.

This is one formula that works well. Here is the Heloise version: Just mix equal parts of sudsy ammonia and water in a small jar. Drop the jewelry in, let soak for a few minutes, then brush away gunk, if needed, using a soft-bristled brush. Rinse well and dry with a soft cloth, then buff to a shine.

Caution: Do not use either of these two cleaning solutions on turquoise, amber, pearls, coral, malachite, jade, lapis lazuli, opals or any other soft stones. Don’t scrub too hard if there are loose stones, and definitely not over the sink!

Label the jar “jewelry cleaner,” and keep it out of the reach of children and pets. When the solution looks cloudy or dirty, it’s time to make a new batch.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: Another use for the newspaper plastic sleeves: No more replacing lost or taken-home Christmas stockings! When filling Christmas stockings, first insert a plastic sleeve into the stocking, then put the “goodies” into the sleeve. On Christmas Day, the plastic sleeve can be taken out of the stocking, and the “goodies” can be checked out and put back into the sleeve. I fix 10 stockings for our children, their spouses and our grandchildren, and they can take their sleeves of “goodies” home and leave the stockings here for next year.

Helen Yoscak, Laytonsville, Md.

Dear Heloise: Love your column and look forward to it daily in the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald. I see on your website you recommend salt and some baby oil to exfoliate your skin. I recommend sea salt for that concoction. I stopped using lotion by using sea salt in my baths two to three times a week.

Cindy Long, via e-mail

Sea salt generally contains more minerals than regular table salt.

Heloise

King Features Syndicate