HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR HELOISE: We have large, doormat-style rugs at the inside doors of our church for folks to clean their feet as they enter. With all the traffic, the rug mats, once secured by two way tape, have moved, leaving a sticky substance on the church rug. How can we remove the sticky residue?

  • Janis McQuade, Elkin, N.C.

DEAR READER: First try to gently scrape off the stuff with a dull knife or spoon. Then blot the area with dry-cleaning solvent (which you can buy at most grocery stores). Blot the area until the dry-cleaning solvent is absorbed, and try to remove the adhesive. The next step is to mix a solution of 2 cups warm water, 1 tablespoon liquid dish washing soap and 1 tablespoon white vinegar. Again using a clean cloth, blot the residue area with the solution.You probably will have to repeat this step several times.

DEAR HELOISE: When traveling and staying at a hotel, turn one of the plastic sleeves covering the drinking glasses/cups inside out and cover the TV remote control. - A Reader, Merrimack, N.H.

DEAR READER: Good travel and health hint, and one for folks in a hospital, too.

DEAR HELOISE: I recently read the article on how to be a good customer at a new gym. All of the hints were right-on, except I wish you would have added to please leave your perfume and cologne at home. We do a lot of deep inhaling and exhaling during our workouts. Perfumes and cologne intensify while you perspire, and they can trigger asthma and allergy attacks, along with severe headaches.

  • J.R., Huntsville, Ala.

DEAR HELOISE: My son is a member of a Scouting group. I learned a great tip from another mom when it came time to sew badges on his vest. Instead of hand-sewing them, I use fabric fusing tape. Just cut out what is needed and iron to adhere. So much easier and quicker.

  • Helen in Ohio

DEAR HELOISE: My family and I love to have game nights. Whenever we play a game that includes a board, we place the board on a wooden turntable. We easily can spin it to whoever’s turn it is. It is much easier than constantly having to stand up or reach over each other.

  • Sophie in 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 email [email protected]

MovieStyle, Pages 38 on 04/25/2014

Upcoming Events