The Shadow
Dear Heloise: A few months ago, while helping my dad with some things in the house, we could not figure out how to get CALCIUM DEPOSITS off the shower head in his bathroom. The water was barely flowing.
He dismantled the shower head and soaked it in a bowl of vinegar. Within 30 minutes, it was perfectly clean and void of any blockage. My mother, who always used vinegar, and Heloise knew what they were doing!
Our water is full of calcium and leaves showers and sinks spotted! I had tried expensive bathroom and tile cleaners. Nothing succeeded until I started pouring straight vinegar over the calcium buildup. (Heloise here: Do not pour on real marble.)
Vinegar has become my cleaner of choice. I just wanted to thank you. — Sherry in New Braunfels, Texas
Sherry, thank you for sharing how super vinegar is. Vinegar certainly is a workhorse around the home, and it is one of my favorite go-to cleaners! I have compiled a collection filled with money-saving and “green” vinegar hints. If you would like to receive one, please send $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (65 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Fresh cola stains should come out of most washable fabrics after being sponged with white vinegar.
Launder as usual. — Heloise
PET PAL
Dear Readers: Cathy in Madison, Maine, sent us a picture of Duckie, her 130-pound mixed-breed dog, crashed out on the couch next to Zelda, a tortoise-colored cat.
They look like best buddies! To see Duckie and Zelda, visit www.Heloise.com and click on “Pets.” — Heloise
CAREFUL SHIPPING
Dear Heloise: I would like to warn your readers regarding shipping valuable pictures. My mother moved across the country several years ago. To save space in the moving van, she sent her three children’s baby pictures (through high school) to her new address. The boxes never reached the intended destination. Hence, all the pictures were lost! — Sue in Rogers, Ark.
Yikes! Sorry to hear about this, but thank you for writing to warn my readers. Better to carry precious personal items with you when you move. — Heloise
TEST YOUR HINT IQ
Dear Readers: What is the best way to put out a candle?
A) Blow it out.
B) Use a snuffer.
C) Pinch the flame with your wet fingers.
D) Push the wick into the wax with a metal blade.
According to the National Candle Association, the safest way to extinguish a candle is to use a snuffer! If you said “B,” you would be correct! — Heloise
WASHING STATION
Dear Heloise: Put little pieces of hand soap into the toe of a sock that never has a mate, tie a knot, and you can do lots more scrubbing. — L.M. in Texas
This is a classic Heloise hint. Also, you can drop the soap into an old pantyhose leg and hang by the water hose outside for outdoor washing. It’s perfect when camping or grilling. — Heloise
(c)2012 by King Features Syndicate Inc.
