HELOISE: How to clean shower curtains

Dear Heloise: I’ve been looking for the hint on how to launder a shower curtain. I recall it included ammonia, detergent and maybe vinegar, along with a couple of bath towels. I’ve used it many times, and it was a perfect solution. Thanks for your help.

D. Tromm, via e-mail

The shower curtain or plastic shower liner can really get yucky — but cleaning it is a breeze! Toss it in the washer with the hottest water possible and 1/4 cup detergent and 1 cup chlorine bleach, if safe for the curtain, or vinegar if not. (Never mix ammonia with chlorine bleach.) Throw in a few bath towels with the curtain to add some scrubbing action.

Heloise

Dear Readers: Here are some uses for cornstarch:

Use as a dry shampoo for your dog. Sprinkle on, rub in and brush off.

Use like carpet freshener. Sprinkle some on your carpet, let sit and then vacuum.

Clean playing cards by placing cards and cornstarch in a paper bag and shaking. Wipe off after removing the cards from the bag.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I buy laundry detergent in the large size (210 ounces), and I find the containers very heavy and awkward to use. I have solved this problem very easily. I just empty the contents into clean plastic jugs. Now it is very easy to pour what I need, and it is easy to see how much is left through the plastic. I have many of your pamphlets and often refer to them.

Millie Mellberg, West Yellowstone, Mont.

Dear Heloise: The slick container that holds cooking spray is difficult to grip. I dropped several, damaged the nozzle and had to dispose of the can. Now I put one of those thick rubber bands (that comes around asparagus or broccoli) about 1/3 of the way down on the can. It gives my hand something to grasp while holding or spraying.

Marjorie Hardin, Wichita Falls, Texas

Dear Readers: Have some candle wax on the carpet? Here’s how to remove it:

Put a metal pan filled with ice cubes over the candle wax to freeze it.

When frozen, use a hammer to break up the wax, then vacuum up the pieces.

If there is still a stain, cover with a paper towel and gently press with a warm iron.

If the stain persists, apply some dry-cleaning solvent and blot.

Heloise

SOUND OFF

Dear Heloise: I wish radio stations would include the city they are in while giving out their call letters, dial position and slogan. Too many times while traveling, we will hear weather reports of bad weather coming, only to find out much later that the bad weather was for a city 500 miles away.

Rita in Dayton, 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