Helpful Hints

DEAR HELOISE: How do you kill dust mites? I just moved into my first house, and I don't want any dust mites in my house.

-- Juliana L.,

Blacksburg, Va.

DEAR READER: Juliana, dust mites love our homes because they live on dead flakes of skin and dander shed by people and pets. They can live about three months, and are found in every home worldwide. They live in mattresses, pillows, blankets and other soft items. The best way to kill dust mites is with high-temperature cleaning. Wash all bedding in hot water and soap. There are some things that will not kill dust mites:

• Sunlight will not kill them.

• Vacuuming helps get rid of some mites, but does not remove ones deeply embedded in carpeting or mattresses.

• Washing in cold water will not get rid of dust mites.

Dust mites don't bite, but many people have an allergy to dust mite dirt. Since they are only as big as one-tenth of a human hair, you won't see them, but they are present. A gram of dust in a house can hold over 1,000 dust mites. You can't completely get rid of them, but by regular cleaning you can reduce their numbers in your home.

DEAR HELOISE: How do you clean an electronic screen on a computer, cellphone, iPad, etc.? I ruined my computer monitor by using the wrong cleaner on it.

-- Bonnie V.,

Grand Forks, N.D.

DEAR READER: Sorry to hear that, but it's easy to safely clean those screens. You need to remember that these newer screens are not glass, and you shouldn't use ammonia or other harsh cleaners on them. Do not use paper towels, either. A microfiber cloth, very lightly dampened, should help keep your screen clean. When you need something stronger, try this do-it-yourself cleaner:

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup white vinegar

1 spray bottle

Microfiber cloth

Spray the cloth, not the screen, and gently wipe the screen in circular motions. Never press hard on an electronic screen.

DEAR HELOISE: When I take my cats to be boarded at the vet's, I also take along their food and a "comforter," which is a T-shirt and a favorite small rug -- anything that smells of home or "Mom" to soothe them during their stay.

-- Frances B.,

Kerrville, 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 on 06/23/2017

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