LITTLE ROCK — DEAR HELOISE: Several years ago, you printed a recipe that removed battery corrosion. Could you reprint that?
- Holly, Hagerstown, Md.
DEAR READER: For flashlights and other small electronic devices, first remove the batteries, then use a paper towel to gently wipe away light corrosion. Use 2 tablespoons of baking soda and a little water - just enough to form a paste. Apply the paste to the battery terminals, and the corrosion should foam up and go away.
Wipe all the areas with a clean, damp cloth, and dry everything well. Remember that moisture causes faster corrosion. To prevent corrosion from forming on seldom-used items, remove the batteries and store separately in a self-sealing bag.
Baking soda has so many uses around the home. An empty shoebox with about 1 /2 inch of baking soda in it will help absorb odors when placed in the bottom of your closet.
DEAR HELOISE: Regarding those products that come encased in hard plastic: It is super dangerous to try to cut through the plastic! I have discovered the perfect solution for opening them: I use my seam ripper. It cuts through easily, and there is no danger of cutting yourself.
- Sally in Fort Wayne, Ind.
DEAR HELOISE: I read about pre-purchasing college items. Mount Union College (soon to be University), which is close to me, had a slightly different idea. It held a “garage sale” of items no longer needed by outgoing students (mostly seniors, I imagine) that incoming (or continuing) students could purchase to furnish their rooms. Anything left over was donated to charities.
- Tim W. Elder, Louisville, Ohio Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or e-mail
ActiveStyle, Pages 28 on 07/26/2010