DEAR READERS: Some parts of the country are getting into colder weather. Preparing your home for winter is important, especially in areas with extreme weather. It not only can help reduce your energy bill, but also prolong the life of your house. Here are some hints to help:
Check doors and windows for drafts. Replace weatherstripping if needed. Be sure to check electrical outlets, too. Seal if they’re letting in cold air.
Cover pipes where they are exposed to the elements.
Have the chimney cleaned and inspected. Remember to keep the vent closed when not in use to keep cold air out.
Inspect the roof and exterior of your home for loose shingles, cracks or other repairs that need to be made.
Have a professional inspect your heating system to make sure it is working properly.
DEAR HELOISE: I keep a small bottle of dish soap by the sink because I hand-wash my pots and pans. Recently, I squirted a few drops of soap into the empty sink and used my plastic pot scrubber to wash the sink. After rinsing, my sink looked as clean and shiny as my pots, and it was a lot easier than getting out the specialized sink cleaner and sponge. (Plus, it rinsed a lot easier than some sink-cleaning products.) - B.P. in Texas
DEAR HELOISE: My husband and I keep a couple of nut picks in the car for cleaning our shoes after we take a walk in the park. The park we favor has a lot of tiny, rough stones that catch in the treads of our shoes. The nut picks are a great way to get all of these stones out of our shoes so that they do not damage our floors when we get home.
Also, to make sliding glass doors run more smoothly, run an old white candle on the runner. This waxes it without making it gummy or leaving any discoloration behind.
- Cecilia B., via email
DEAR HELOISE: I save the tiny plastic cups that salsa comes in from restaurants and use them to dispense my father’s morning and nighttime meds. Dad can lift the cup and pour all the pills right into his mouth without dropping one.
- Rachel in San Antonio
DEAR READER: I, too, save the little cups and use them for all kinds of things, from salad dressing for dipping veggies in to ketchup for french fries.
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 Heloise@Heloise.com
Weekend, Pages 38 on 10/24/2013