Take time to tighten those loose screws; how to keep keys where they belong

Dear Heloise: One day, I got out some screwdrivers and checked every drawer and every end table, every desk—everything I had to pull to open.

I was shocked to see how many screws were loose! I tightened every loose screw. I don’t know why I was shocked to see loose screws, because in all the years we’ve had this furniture and cabinets, I had never checked them. Who would think of that?

I noticed that when our church had a rummage sale, some of the donated dressers had pulls missing, loose or half falling off. That gave me the idea to check all my drawers, so I’m glad I did.—Dorothy J. in Ohio

BIRDBATH CLEANING Dear Heloise: How do you clean a cement birdbath with built-up mold?— Rick S., Farmington, Ark.

Rick, let’s get those birdbaths in shape for bird-watching! If you’ve got mold in yours, you will need liquid chlorine bleach. Don some gloves, fill the bath with water and add 1 cup or so of liquid bleach. Keep the birds away during this cleaning process.

Let the bleach mixture sit for about 20 minutes or so, then scrub thoroughly with a stiff brush, rinse and dry the bath. Fill with fresh water, and wait for the birds to splash on!—Heloise

SIMPLE STOW Dear Heloise: I sew a pocket inside lots of my jackets large enough to hold a bottle of water or a paperback book. This comes in handy when I have to wait in the doctor’s office.

I also sew a loop of material with a key ring attached inside my purse on a side seam. My keys have a small hook on them and a tiny flashlight.

When not in use, they are attached to the key ring. I also put a loop with a key ring inside my shorts pocket. No lost keys.—Elaine H. in Florida

KNOTTY CHAIN Dear Heloise: I love to wear pendants on fine chains, but they can tangle easily when stored on my dresser. Here’s my hint to help:

I put a drop of baby oil on a piece of waxed paper, and I lay the knotted part on the oil. I use two straight pins to pick at and loosen the knot. This works well, and then I just wipe the chain gently with a microfiber towel.—Jane C. in Pennsylvania