Helpful Hints

DEAR HELOISE: I have a heavy wooden rocker and four wooden chairs on a light-colored linoleum floor. Nothing keeps the wood from marking my floors. I've tried all the self-adhesive pads -- they just come off. Do you have any suggestions?

-- Gail D.,

Fountain Valley, Calif.

DEAR READER: They make chair-leg tips now that cover the entire foot of the chair instead of just sticking to the bottom. You could see if those stay on better. Another thing to try: Wrap the foot of the chair in some leftover fabric. This would work when it is just you at home, and it can be quickly removed when company comes over. You also could place a rug under the rocker and chairs to protect the floor. I hope one of these suggestions works.

DEAR HELOISE: As I was getting ready for my breakfast of sausage and eggs this morning, my eggs looked so drab with the same old salt and pepper. I looked at my little seasoning jars and decided to sprinkle on some spices that I like the best. What a difference in the taste of the eggs.

-- Jean in Ohio

DEAR READER: The same foods and seasonings can get boring in a hurry. But you knew exactly what to do -- experiment and substitute other favorite spices and seasonings for the regular salt and pepper. Take a good look at your spices to make sure they are still fresh. They should have a vibrant color. Loss of color could be an indication of loss of flavor.

DEAR HELOISE: My faucet started dripping one day, and I couldn't get it to stop. Of course it was the weekend, and I couldn't get anyone to come out until the next week. The sound was annoying, and I didn't want to listen to it all weekend. I remembered a hint of yours I had read once. I tied a string around the faucet and let it fall into the sink. The water ran down the string instead of dripping and didn't make any noise. I got some sleep, and the sink was fixed the next week. Thanks!

-- Y.E. in New Mexico

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 07/19/2014

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