LITTLE ROCK — DEAR HELOISE: I have an antique, handmade wedding dress that needs to be cleaned. Since there are no tags, what would you suggest I wash it in? It looks like mostly lace, sheer and taffeta.
- Rhonda, via e-mail
DEAR READER: Since you don’t know what all the materials are, your best bet is to take it to a professional dry cleaner who has experience with heirloom garments and understands antique materials. I’d hesitate to try to “wash” it, especially since there are different types of materials.
There probably are several cleaners in your area who can take care of it and check for needed repairs. Be sure to store your gown in a cool, dry place. Periodically, check the garment and refold with a different crease so one place doesn’t wear and weaken.
DEAR HELOISE: I am always mixing up the cords to my computer and unplugging things I don’t mean to. I take the square, plastic package closures from bread, label them and place them on the cords near the power strip. I now no longer have to search to try to figure out which cord is which.
- A Reader, via e-mail
DEAR READERS: As a fan of homemade salad dressings, store-bought vinaigrettes just aren’t the same. When traveling by RV or going to a picnic or other outing, the glass containers may not survive the trip. Here’s a “neat” hint: Pourer necks such as those on wine bottles also can fit in small or large plastic soda bottles. Put the dressings in a plastic bottle, then use the pourer when it is time to dress the salad. You also can put oil in one and vinegar in the other.
DEAR HELOISE: Here are some hints for taking better photographs:
Be on eye level or higher with human subjects.
For under-the-shade outdoor pictures, use a flash, if necessary.
Check the background. Make sure it will not look like a tree is growing out of someone’s head, etc.
For indoor portraits, shoot several pictures so you can experiment by using different lights, flash or no flash.
When using a flash, make sure there is no mirror or glass door/window in the background. The flash will bounce off it.
- Winnie R., via e-mail 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 03/23/2012