Don’t delay with termites

Dear Readers: Check your home often for termites, because they can be dangerous to your house. Termites eat wood. So check the porch, decks, steps and other wood structures for termite damage. You may see a pile of fine powder under furniture, or holes along stud lines in walls. Call a professional exterminator ASAP. Don’t delay, because termites could be eating into the supporting structure of your home. Take these steps as well:

Try to keep termites away from your house. They constantly dig dirt tunnels, looking for water. Do not place wooden planters or piles of firewood next to your home — the wood and water attract termites. — Heloise

EASIER WAY TO CLEAN PAINTBRUSHES

DEAR READERS: After you have finished painting, cleaning the paintbrush can be a messy ordeal.

Here’s a neater way to contain this problem. Pour cleaning solvent in a heavy-duty, clear plastic bag. Put the brush bristles inside. Shut the bag while holding the handle outside of the bag. Work the solvent through the bristles by pressing the outside of the bag. Mission accomplished and less mess! — Heloise

PET ACCIDENTS ON CARPET

DEAR HELOISE: We just brought home our first puppy and are dealing with our new pet’s accidents on the carpet in our living room. We know that we are going to have to train him and get him outside to do his business. But for now, can you give me some ideas on the best way to clean up his accidents? — Beth in Texas

DEAR BETH: First, get to the mess right away.

For solids: Scoop up solid material ASAP. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of mildly warm water. Apply to the stained area. Rinse several times with water to get rid of all the soap residue and blot dry.

For liquids: Soak up as much of the urine as possible by using old bath towels. Stand on the towel to really absorb the urine, then rinse the area with cool water and blot well with a clean, dry towel. Next, apply the above mixture, rinse completely with warm water and blot well.

However, if this problem continues, buy an enzyme-based pet stain and odor remover. — Heloise

CLEANING COMFORTERS

DEAR READERS: Whether you have cotton, rayon or synthetic blankets or down comforters, they get dirty and need to be cleaned regularly. First, read the care labels to learn what to use to clean them and the best way to do so. Here are some Heloise Hints to get the job done well:

For a quick fix, fluff the blanket in the dryer on the cool-air setting ONLY. Add a fabric-softener sheet for freshening.

For a really thorough cleaning, first pretreat and soak stained or soiled blankets. Then wash for around five minutes in cold or warm water on the delicate cycle with detergent and oxygen bleach (check the label first). Dry blankets on low heat, gentle cycle or hang to dry.