DEAR HELOISE: When cleaning nasty birdbaths, I sprinkle baking soda into the birdbath with a little water and scrub with an old brush. They always come out sparkling-clean. It’s also nontoxic, inexpensive, quick and easy.
- Shirley D. in Ore.
DEAR READER: This hint is just one more way that baking soda comes to the rescue! Birds need water year round, and birdbaths should be cleaned often to keep diseases from spreading. The water can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes as well, so you do want to change the water once or twice a week to keep it fresh.Use baking soda to clean hamster, gerbil, guinea pig and ferret cages. A little water and baking soda will remove odors and leave the glass nice and clear. Rinse and dry, and their home is clean.
DEAR HELOISE: My hint is about the 150-count paper plates that we purchase at the warehouse store. They come in a large plastic sleeve secured with a twist-tie.
I noticed that when family members would remove plates, the next plate could become soiled from contact with unclean hands. To remedy this, I keep the plastic sleeve sealed and move the opening around to the bottom of the stack. The bottom paper plate is now at the top. It also makes it easier to take only one plate off the stack instead of several.
- Ronald A. in Calif.
DEAR HELOISE: I had a question about a product that I use in my home. I went on the computer and started researching the company’s website. I never knew how much information is available. I was even able to “talk” to a representative of the company by e-mail.
I asked my question, got a response, and when all was done, I received $8 in coupons for the product and a recipe book. When I have time, I now go on other websites of my favorite products, and the coupons and offers that are available are amazing.
- Carol D., via e-mail
DEAR HELOISE: Sitting in the veterinary office with my dog, I watched an older woman walk in with her small dog in a stroller. The dog looked so content just sitting there. She told me that her dog was older and had difficulty walking. As she also was older, this was easier than her carrying the dog. I thought this was a great hint.
- Cathy G. in Colo.
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@Heloise.com
Weekend, Pages 36 on 04/11/2013