HELOISE: Cover up a gouge on enamel, porcelain

Dear Heloise: I took some enamel or porcelain off my sink. I think I must have knocked it hard with my cast-iron skillet; otherwise, I don’t know how I did it. Anyway, the black gouge looked unsightly. I took some correction fluid, the kind you use for mistakes when typing, and covered the gouge. It looks great! The sink looks good as new.

Jane M. in Hot Springs Village, Ark.

Jane, this is my secret hint, too! I just shared this in my Good Housekeeping magazine column (February issue). For small chips in porcelain, correction fluid is a great fix, or even plain white nail polish (not polish with a shimmer or pearl finish). It’s a cheap Heloise hint to keep your porcelain sinks looking great! It may take a few layers to build up, and clear polish is a good base. Visit my website, www.Heloise.com, to see the column and other great hints!

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I have a down jacket that is in great shape, except that the zipper doesn’t want to work properly; either it won’t move at all, or if it moves, it will zip fine for an inch or two, then the “teeth” don’t lock like they should. Any ideas on how to fix this problem, or do I just get a new zipper?

Terrie C. in Fredericksburg, Va.

How frustrating this can be! Try using one of the following: a piece of paraffin (small birthday candle will work in place of paraffin), a bar of unscented soap, or the lead of a pencil. Any of these can be rubbed over the stubborn zipper and hopefully solve this issue. However, these may not work on a plastic zipper. If that’s the case, you may have to replace the zipper.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I have found that the small rings left on milk jugs after removing the lid are great for keeping rolled-up papers such as maps, posters, etc., in a compact roll for storage in tubes. I like these much better than rubber bands.

If larger rings are needed, there are several larger plastic jars (like mayo comes in) that have rings remaining under the lid. The rings are easy to remove, and I save several of various sizes.

Wilbur K. in Parkersburg, W.Va.

Dear Heloise: Fill those empty 64-ounce fruit-drink containers or 78-ounce liquid laundry-detergent bottles with sand. Place them in the trunk of your vehicle, over your axle area, adding needed weight for snow season. When you get stuck in snow, or your tires are spinning, just pour out some sand in the area of your tire. They are not so heavy that women would have trouble lifting them.

Doreen P. in Folsom, Calif.

Send a 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