HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR HELOISE: My husband was a mechanic, and he has a lot of tools. He is now retired. I am going through his tools, and a lot of them have rust on them. I would like to clean them up. Can you help me?

  • Beverly in Florida

DEAR READER: You are going to love this easy and cheap hint. It’s one of my favorite products: vinegar! Place small tools in undiluted white or apple-cider vinegar and let sit overnight or longer. Once they have soaked, scrub with a small brush, then rinse and dry well. Vinegar is such a great product to have on hand. Have screws and bolts with rust on them? Soak them in vinegar to remove buildup.

P.S.: Tools are very personal to folks who have used them for a lifetime. So, don’t throw out something you may think is not important without permission.

DEAR HELOISE: I have a separate wallet that I use when I travel. I go through my daily wallet and transfer only what I will need on my trip. That way, I am not carrying everything with me, and if I lose my wallet, I am having to cancel and replace only a few things.

  • Steve in California

DEAR HELOISE: I am a puzzle lover and want to be able to frame my artwork. How can this be done without investing in saws, unfinished (paintable) frames, etc.? I do not have access to websites, and the local library is 45 minutes away.

  • One Piece at a Time, Saltillo, Miss.

DEAR READER: There are mats to work puzzles on. What if you glued the puzzle to that, trimmed it and then bought an inexpensive frame to fit? Readers, do you have any suggestions?

DEAR HELOISE: Fluorescent green numerals on your alarm clock (that shine too brightly) bothering you? Use a “newspaper” plastic bag. Cut to size for the face of the clock and tape in place. Try different colors of bags until you find the one that’s best for your situation. I prefer the blue. It’s easy on the eyes, but still light enough to see the time through it easily. - A Reader in Pennsylvania

DEAR HELOISE: Keep a bar of soap in your jewelry box. Stab earring backs into the soap and the post will slip in easily. If soap is not available, moisten your earlobe.

  • Helen in Angola, Ind.

Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email [email protected]

MovieStyle, Pages 36 on 07/26/2013

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