DEAR HELOISE: I hate the smell of mothballs. I noticed that by placing lemon peelings in mesh bags in my closet, I could eliminate the use of mothballs. It worked like a charm.
-- Lisa W., Lowell, Mass.
DEAR HELOISE: My husband and I travel overseas, for as long as a month at a time. To keep our home safe, we make certain it doesn't look empty by using a few simple tricks:
• We use a timer on our lights all over the house.
• We have the post office hold our mail, and a neighbor we trust picks up anything left on our doorstep, such as flyers and papers of any kind. We have a lawn service keep our yard mowed.
• When we had a pet, we'd have a pet-sitter service feed and water our pet.
• Our car was parked halfway up the driveway so that thieves couldn't back up a truck or van and empty out the house.
-- Betty L., Norman, Okla.
DEAR HELOISE: Whenever our paintbrushes get hard, I soften them by placing them in very hot vinegar until they become pliable again, then wash with warm water and soap.
-- Delores M., Iowa
DEAR READER: Vinegar is my "go-to" cleaning and all-purpose product. Vinegar can make so many chores easier and less expensive.
DEAR HELOISE: Before the cold weather sets in, be sure to give your plants dessert. Just mix 1 teaspoon of a dessert gelatin with a gallon of liquid fertilizer, or with a gallon of water. Mix well, then pour around the soil. The gelatin helps the soil hold water, and the sugar feeds the organisms within the soil.
-- Ashley H., Somerset, Ky.
DEAR HELOISE: After sewing on a button, I like to use a tiny drop of clear nail polish in the center of the button. This ensures that the thread will not become loose and my button will stay on.
-- Nancy O., Derby, Kan.
DEAR HELOISE: While reaching under the bed for my son's socks, I felt something strange. When I pulled it out, I saw that I had a large, green snake in my hand. I dropped it and screamed bloody murder. As my eyes focused on the thing, I realized that it was a rubber snake! I felt relieved as I finally got off the dresser.
-- Valerie F.,
Grafton, W.Va.
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
Heloise@Heloise.com
MovieStyle on 09/14/2018