Make sure to clean, disinfect surfaces around the home

DEAR READERS: With the pandemic and COVID crisis continuing, experts recommend that we keep our homes clean and disinfected for our families and their safety.

You can first clean these surfaces — kitchen tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, phones, keyboards, faucets and more — with just the usual hot, soapy water.

But then you will want to apply an Environmental Protection Agency-registered household disinfectant or a diluted household bleach solution (5 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water), which can be used on certain surfaces and left on for at least a minute.

Keep hand sanitizers around the home, and make sure that all family members wash their hands frequently during this trying time.

DEAR READERS: If you notice that your carpet is stale or stinky, try this easy carpet deodorizer. Pour baking soda into a clean spice container with a shaker top and lightly sprinkle it over the entire carpet. Allow it to remain on the carpet for at least 30 minutes, then vacuum up. It will be fresher.

Baking soda can be used in so many ways around the house. If you want to find out its many uses and more hints, order my sixpage Heloise’s Baking Soda Hints and Recipes pamphlet by sending $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (75 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Baking Soda, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 782795001.

Heloise

DEAR READERS: While we all have cellphones, the batteries do die at inconvenient times, or you cannot locate your cell fast enough in an emergency. So, to protect your family, create a master list of numbers — fire, police, doctors, nearest hospitals, poison control and vet — along with the numbers of family and key friends and neighbors. Explain this to all family members, including the babysitter.

Print out copies of the list, including extra copies for your files. Put the lists into picture frames and place one next to each phone in the house. Point out the lists to all family members.

DEAR READERS: If you are going to be away and don’t want to board your dog, you can hire a professional sitter to pet-sit in your home. Here’s what to look for:

1. Contact a bonded pet-sitting service, which will be licensed, insured and happy to provide references.

2. The service will charge by the day or visit.

3. The service will maintain your dog’s normal routine.

4. To find a service, ask your vet or local pet shop or go online.

Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you fax it to 210-HELOISE. Email heloise@heloise.com.