HELPFUL HINTS

— DEAR HELOISE: When we moved into our home 23 years ago, we placed “stickers” in the bathtub to prevent slips. How do we remove them now?

  • Sharon S., Thousand Oaks, Calif.

DEAR READER: Startby using a hair dryer, on high heat, to warm and soften the adhesive. If this doesn’t work, start peeling up a corner of the sticker. Then spraysome pre-wash or lubricating oil underneath and let sit for an hour or more. Using a plastic tool, like a spatula, start scraping as you pull up the sticker. Most of the sticker should come off.

If there is glue residue remaining, sprinkle cornmeal over it when dry. Using a nylon scrubber, carefully scrub the glue until it comes off. Of course, depending on how long the stickers were in the tub, you may need time to get it all off.

DEAR READERS: When a plumber, heating-and-airconditioning specialist, electrician or tech expert comes to your home, be sure to make a copy of the work order once the service is completed. I attach the copy near the repaired area by taping it inside the door, cabinet or even under the kitchen sink! If another repair is needed, or more work needs to be done at a later date, I know where theinformation is and will have the billing and explanation of what was done available.

DEAR HELOISE: If there is a power outage and you need to light up a room, use those large candles that come in glass jars. Place one or more in a large, stainlesssteel pot for safety. Place the pot on top of a wooden cutting board for light in a large space. If you want to light up a kitchen table, then put the candles in a pot with handles and place on the table.

You can carry a pot with a candle in it from room to room, but always place the pot on your wooden cutting board to prevent any heat from possibly damaging where the pot is sitting.

  • Beverly G., The Woodlands, Texas

DEAR HELOISE: When you are doing embroidery and don’t have a particular floss color, you can substitute regular sewing thread. Just take the sewing thread and double or even triple it.

  • Doris G., Bloomfield, N.J. Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or e-mail

Heloise@Heloise.com

Weekend, Pages 38 on 11/29/2012

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