CLEANING CERAMIC WALL TILES
Dear Heloise: Years ago, I realized that I could clean the ceramic tiles and tub in my bathroom faster and more efficiently with a mop than by hand. I keep a mop in the closet next to the bathroom that is dedicated solely to this task. Fill the tub with a little water and rinse it as I go. – Linda England, via email
POSTCARDS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Dear Heloise: My mother is in a nursing home. She can’t always remember people or their names, but she appreciates any kind of mail. Since I live a few states away and have to travel a lot for work, I send her postcards and sometimes a short letter. The doctor says it helps her remember me and it makes her day.
One of the nurses told me that most residents rarely get visitors. They are lucky if they get a Christmas or birthday card. Unfortunately, too many families view a nursing home as a place to put their elderly relatives. This type of isolation seems to play a large role in their feelings of loneliness and mental decline.
It only takes a few minutes to send a postcard or buy a box of chocolates and bring it to the recipient. A little kindness goes a long way. You’ll not only make the recipient feel good, but you too. – KT, from Philadelphia
Adhesive price labels
Dear Heloise: I know you’re all about the many uses of vinegar. I discovered another one yesterday: spray vinegar on price tags stuck to glass or ceramic. Let it sit for a while, then scrape it off. My fingernails love it! No more scratching, scratching, scratching! Cheers. – DR, in San Antonio
A QUICK SANDWICH FOR KIDS
Dear Heloise: Some kids like toasted cheese sandwiches, but they usually require an adult to prepare them. That’s no longer necessary!
All you have to do is toast a few slices of bread and put lots of grated cheese (or a few slices of cheese) between the two toasted slices of bread. You can place the sandwich on a napkin or paper towel and microwave it for 12-20 seconds. Then just take it out of the microwave and eat it! – AR, in California
Reuse of rubber gloves
Dear Heloise: When my household gloves get holes, I cut rubber bands out of them. I start at the cuff and cut as wide or narrow as needed down to the thumb area. These rubber bands last much longer than regular rubber bands. – R., in Minnesota
Rubbing alcohol as a rescue
Dear Heloise: I had hairspray residue on my white tile bathroom floor. But I put paper towels soaked in rubbing alcohol on the spot and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. To my surprise, the hairspray residue came off. No scrubbing! – EP, in Louisiana
Pet lover
Dear Heloise: Six-year-old Gracie, recently adopted from Georgia, is ready to brave the New England elements… though maybe not willingly. – Nancy Mulvihill (and Gracie), Nashua, New Hampshire
GracieHeloise
To see Gracie and our other pet friends, readers should go to Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.”
Do you have a furry friend you would like to show our readers? Send a photo and a short description to [email protected]. – Heloise
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