DEAR HELOISE: I bought a beautiful beige suede bag for fall. I love it, but I'm scared to get it wet, and what if it gets dirty?
-- Holly W.,
Wichita Falls, Texas
DEAR READER: Holly, remember the old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure? Treat your bag with a water repellent, available at the supermarket or drugstore, while it's new and clean.
It's better to apply two light coats and dry completely in between coats instead of using one heavy coat.
If a small spot happens, rub with a gum eraser, available at art-supply stores.
A dry cleaner who specializes in leather can deep-clean. Look online or in the phone book for one, or ask your dry cleaner who he or she would recommend.
To maintain the nap, brush the suede lightly regularly.
DEAR HELOISE: My sister's friend is getting married soon. One fun bridal shower we're planning involves hints. For the party, we are each bringing her cleaning supplies and our favorite cleaning and organizing pointers and preferences.
Not elegant -- it'll just be a casual, relaxed evening, sharing our fave household helpers and how-tos.
-- Nancy B., Hammond, Ind.
DEAR READER: Nancy, I think it's brilliant and a fun way to help supply a new bride with needed and essential -- but not really "elegant," as you say -- items. There are hints about what to do and not do when buying and storing a bridal gown -- very important information.
DEAR HELOISE: My new favorite "cleaner" is chalk. I've lived in my house for 14 years. It was painted white on the inside.
White chalk fills in old nail holes and covers scratches and even large nicks on the wall and trim, including doors and baseboards.
The chalk also worked on my shower's marks, on the grease-splattered wall above my stove and on my light-gray carpet. My house looks like new. Try colored chalk for painted surfaces.
-- A Retiree from
The Villages, Fla.
DEAR HELOISE: When I first moved into my apartment, I made sure it was secure. My apartment has two sliding glass doors (one in the bedroom and one in the living area), and I'm on the first floor.
I checked the doors when I moved in. One wasn't locked. My hint is to check all doors and windows to be sure they are locked.
For extra security and peace of mind, I always keep the safety bar in the "locked" position.
-- Julie D., Bloomington, Ind.
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 on 08/18/2016