DEAR HELOISE: I keep my wet/dry vacuum in the garage near the door. Instead of vacuuming floors, I vacuum grass and debris from gym shoes before coming inside. It makes a world of difference.
-- C. Pinkney,
Indianola, Miss.
DEAR READER: Love it, love it, love it! I also love my (well, my husband David's, really) wet/dry vac for all sorts of chores. Suck away dust along baseboards and in corners, clean up the back of furniture against a wall, get cobwebs that are way out of reach and even take care of debris when I prune and move a passel of potted plants.
DEAR READERS: If you live in a climate where you put away patio and outdoor items for winter, here are a few hints for you:
A. Always clean or wipe off items before storing. Check for mildew or other damage, and take care of it now.
B. Store inside, away from weather, if possible. If keeping items outside, cover with furniture covers, tarps or heavy plastic.
C. Cold, wet weather is harmful to most patio furniture, including aluminum, steel, and most woods and natural materials. Synthetic (or "fake," as I call it) wicker is OK to leave out.
D. Do take the time to clean and prepare outside tables, chairs and umbrellas to store for the winter. When spring comes, you will be so happy to pull them out of storage ready to use.
E. Everyone in the family should help. If they enjoy sitting out, they can help keep the furniture in good shape. Don't waste good money buying new chairs, etc.
DEAR HELOISE: If you want to accommodate outside smokers, use a clay pot. Put sand or dirt in the saucer, and then set the pot on it upside down. The hole in the bottom of the pot is the perfect size to drop cigarette butts through, and the pot keeps the butts out of sight and smell.
-- Jan O.,
Cabin John, Md.
DEAR READER: A good hint, and one that also will help prevent a possible fire, as well as keep the area clean. I use two clay pots, one upright and the other upside down on the first. It's the perfect place to set my coffee cup while sitting outside in the yard. The deer, birds, squirrels, foxes and rabbits don't mind that it's not fancy.
DEAR HELOISE: Regarding the comment on carpet samples helping people in snow: Simply take out the floor carpet mat and put it under the wheel.
-- Rosemarie G., via email
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
HomeStyle on 12/13/2014