HELPFUL HINTS

By HELOISE

LITTLE ROCK — DEAR HELOISE: I recently bought a house, and the linen closet in the hallway has a musty smell and damp feeling. I placed baking soda in it to absorb odor and dampness, but it’s not working. Help!

- C.M. Jerger, via e-mail

DEAR READER: Yuck! Baking soda is a great odor neutralizer, but first, I’m concerned that you have to open the door to dry it out.If that works, that tells me either there is a water leak or moisture coming from somewhere. You can try these hints:

1. Charcoal - either plain barbecue briquettes or activated charcoal, found in pet stores. Charcoal is great for neutralizing odors.

2. Cat-box filler - claytype cat-box filler in a margarine tub. Litter is wonderfully absorbent and sometimes works as a last resort.

If these hints don’t help, you’ll need to be a detective and try to figure out what the dampness is and where it’s coming from. If it persists, you should call a professional - it’s not going to go away on its own! Also, if left alone, it could get worse and grow into black mold, which is extremely hazardous to your health.

DEAR HELOISE: Wednesday is leftover night, and we clean out the refrigerator because Thursday is garbage day. If food is not eaten, it is tossed. No chance of anything going bad or being forgotten.

- Nancy, via e-mail

DEAR HELOISE: Tackle boxes aren’t just for fishing equipment! They make great organizers for facial-care products, makeup, dusting powders, perfumes, etc. Just store under the vanity, or grab and go! This is especially nice if several girls share a bathroom.

- B. Hayes, Schertz, 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

HELOISE@CompuServe.com

MovieStyle, Pages 45 on 11/06/2009