LITTLE ROCK — DEAR HELOISE: I have a hint about keeping track of the name and paint for a room. I write the name and formula of the paint under the switch-plate cover of the lightswitch. When the switch plate is installed, it protects the information and keeps it out of sight. Now, when it comes time to repaintor there are new owners, all the information for each room is right there under the switch plate.
- Sherry from Arkansas
DEAR HELOISE: We have a relatively new dishwasher. It quit working. I called the serviceman, and he took apart the inner workings. The spinner that threw water had stopped, and there was a gummy substance clogging up the mechanism. I realized I often put jam or peanut-butter jars in the dishwasher, and what was gumming up my dishwasher was the glue and paper from the labels. Now I never put anything with a label on it in my dishwasher.
- Janet in Missouri
DEAR HELOISE: If you have a pin or brooch you want to make into a necklace, cut a drinking straw, run the piece onto the pin and fasten. You have a loop for the necklace to go through.
- Corrinne, via e-mail
DEAR HELOISE: The wet mop I have requires pricey pads. For spot-mopping, I affix about two to three paper towels by poking the four corners into the places where the pads go. Because the mop base has a spray feature, I fold the paper towels down below the spray head so that the liquid is unimpeded.
- Patti in Texas
DEAR HELOISE: Cleaning brass with ketchup is quick, easy and practical. It surpasses using the thick residue that cakes in the crevices of the souvenirs.
- Margarette Mattern, Temple, Texas 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
MovieStyle, Pages 38 on 10/29/2010