Unwanted shampoo can be used for cleaning

Heloise

Dear Heloise: How can I use shampoo that I don’t like?

Jerry, it’s a good idea to use the shampoo and not just throw it away. Here are some hints:

Shampoo makes a great laundry pre-treater. It can help remove oily stains and paint. Shampoo can clean the tub if you are out of cleanser, and it will smell fresh. Mix baking soda with shampoo to make chrome sparkle. Shampoo can clean hairbrushes and combs, too!

You can clean or unclog a toilet with some shampoos.

Baby shampoo is so mild, it is great to remove dust from houseplants.

Dear Readers: Does your dog miss you when you’re at work? Of course! But this can be extreme. Your dog may feel nervous and anxious, may pace back and forth in one area, may bark and cry, may go potty indoors or may tear up pillows and chew on the door frame. These are symptoms of separation anxiety, and you can help.

Here are some hints, from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (www.aspca.org):

• Train your dog how to be alone by leaving for short periods of time (no more than a few minutes), and gradually build up to longer sessions.

• Give your dog a “busy toy” (a puzzle that has to be “solved,” and usually has a treat inside) right when you leave.

• Be calm when you’re leaving, and calm when you come home.

• Don’t scold or punish; your dog is afraid.

• Talk to your veterinarian about separation anxiety. In extreme cases, medications can be helpful.

• Finally, remember that your dog loves you and wants to be with you; if it’s possible, take your pooch with you.

Dear Heloise: In addition to my regular salt and pepper shakers, I keep another larger shaker with a mixture of half salt and half pepper. This larger shaker is the one that gets used the most.

Dear Heloise: I have a few skillets that have the rivets for the handle on the inside of the pan. Food seems to collect on them, and it is hard to remove.

I have found that using an old toothbrush to scrub them helps remove the food particles. —

Dear Readers: When you’re washing up in a public restroom, is it better to dry your hands with a paper towel, or use the air dryer?

It’s a big debate, but here’s the scoop: Paper towels come out on top. Why? Hand-washing is critical for healthfulness, but air dryers are generally thought to be ineffective at best for drying.

Rubbing your hands with a paper towel exfoliates the skin and absorbs more dampness than the air dryer. Also, thedryers are loud and can introduce viruses back into the air.

Paper towels are also easy to recycle.