Unsealed flooring getting discolored
Dear Heloise: I have charcoal gray slate flooring that was never sealed. It still looks good, except the areas around my potted plants. The slate is white around them. Is there something I can apply to the discolored areas to remove this white stuff?
Love your column and your hints.
— Louise A. Lafayette, La. Louise, you’ll need a heavy-duty stone cleaner, which you can probably find in a hardware store or plant nursery. Or, you might first try equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide, which can be applied by using a spray bottle or by soaking a sponge in the mixture. Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes; then use a scrub brush or the rough side of a sponge and scrub.
It might be best if you had your floors sealed or placed something under your pots.
Animal abuse
Dear Heloise: My neighbor’s yard has no shade and no doghouse for their dog. The poor animal is on a chain and can’t really escape the summer heat. I don’t even see a water bowl for him. How do I report this type of abuse?
— Lynette K. Stone Mountain, Ga. Lynette, call the police or a local rescue center and explain the conditions under which the dog is living. Ask them if they can help the dog.
In the summer heat, all animals need shade as well as fresh, clean water. They should be inside with air conditioning. Cities are now cracking down on animal abuse.
Childproof bottles pill
Dear Heloise: Why do pharmacies put such difficult-to-open tops on their pill bottles? Every time I struggle with a hard-to-open bottle, I start cussing and get angry. I’m sure there’s a blue cloud over my house from all my yelling at those hard-to-open bottles. — Harlan B. Bronson, Iowa Harlan, those are childproof caps, but all you have to do is ask your pharmacy not to use childproof caps on your pill bottles. Most will try to make your life easier by accommodating your wish.
Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.