DEAR HELOISE: I read your hint about carrying a spare car key to unlock a car door when an expensive key fob stops working. There is no need for anyone to have to pay $100 for a new key. Take the key case apart, take out the little battery, get the number off it and go to a jewelry department of a superstore and buy a new battery. The cost is less than $10. I fixed the keys to our two cars.
-- Jane Roger, Fort Smith
DEAR READER: Many readers suggested checking the batteries. However, the reader carried a spare key because she locked the keys in the car. So, a new battery would be of no help in this case.
DEAR HELOISE: Please remind your readers that newspapers are the best for polishing windows and mirrors. I have seen so many people using paper towels, and then they complain about streaks and lint. They need to know that newspaper will pick up all the lint and erase the streaks.
-- Jean Winn in Michigan
DEAR READER: Jean, you are right. It's a classic Heloise hint to use newspaper to wipe off and dry windows and mirrors. However, some are printed with inks that may bleed, and your hands can get smudged, but it washes off. For a homemade window-cleaning solution, mix 1/4 cup of ammonia with a gallon of water, then transfer to a labeled spray bottle. Be sure to wear gloves when wiping the solution off with newspapers. To avoid streaks from the cleaner drying too quickly, wash windows when the sun isn't shining directly on them.
DEAR HELOISE: I cut my family's hair at home and bought a shower-curtain liner to put on the floor under the chair. Works great! I just shake it outside and fold it up for next time. Also makes a cheap dropcloth for painting.
-- Barb W. in Baltimore, Ohio
DEAR HELOISE: I bought a couple of frozen things, but remembered I had other errands to run before I could go home. I had a used big envelope lined with padding in my car. I put the frozen items in and folded the top over. It worked great as an impromptu insulator.
-- Mark B., Waco, Texas
DEAR HELOISE: When I do laundry and use liquid detergent, I keep a bottle of water handy. I rinse out the detergent cap and dump it into the washing machine. This cleans the top so excess detergent does not drip down the sides of the bottle.
-- Pat D. in Florida
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
Style on 04/14/2015