HINTS FROM HELOISE

DEAR READERS:

A spring weekend affords the opportunity to boost the curl appeal of your home! There are lots of areas you can spruce up; here are a few hints: ≤ Repair cracks in the driveway. Pull and kill weeds, and remove any staining. Sweep thoroughly.

≤ Freshen up, polish or replace hardware: house numbers, doorknobs, light fixtures, etc. Maybe a new color for the front door?

≤ Take a look at the mailbox: Fresh coat of paint, new flag, new plants around the base? All good choices. The style of your mailbox should coordinate with the look of your home.

≤ Cut away dead overgrowth and brush in front of the house. Consider renting a power washer to deep-clean the concrete.

Experts agree: Symmetry is key (matching flowerpots on either side of the entry, for example) and will make your home stand out this spring!

— Heloise DEAR HELOISE: My wife of 30 years came up with this nifty trick at lunch. When you are served bread with cold, foil-covered butter pats, instead of smooshing the hard butter into your soft bread, hold the butter pat in your closed hand for a minute.

Open the foil and spread nice, soft butter onto your bread. Works like a charm!

— Big Mike, San Clemente, Calif. DEAR HELOISE: Most of the suitcases at airport baggage claims are black. While a traveler can tie a bright ribbon to the suitcase handle, it’s difficult to spot one’s luggage if it arrives upside down. I solved that problem by applying brightly colored stickers to the bottom of my checked bag.

— Sally T. in Minneapolis DEAR HELOISE: By applying a tiny bit of petroleum jelly and then a bit of lipstick to my cheeks, it makes for a great cheek color and always matches my lipstick.

I can make it as dark or light as I like. I can even dig it out of the tube and put the lipstick in an old powder, cheek-color container along with a bit of the petroleum jelly.

— Dotty, via email DEAR HELOISE: During a cold spell last month, I became Ms. Clean for a few days. I disinfected doors, cabinet knobs, phones, keys, wall light switches, the refrigerator, microwave and stove handles, water spigots and handles on toilets.

I did the car steering wheel, the gearshift and all the buttons and door latches, too.

— Elaine H., Port Charlotte, Fla. THANKS FOR SHARING!

— Heloise DEAR HELOISE: When I bought my house a few years ago, the appliances in it were brushed aluminum. They were dull and waterstained. Wiping and washing didn’t seem to help them. Finally, I saw a video of a woman who said to put olive oil on a clean cloth and wipe them down. Afterward, wipe with a cloth dampened with vinegar. WOW! My appliances look new. This also can be used on stainless steel. — Barbara E., Dayton, Ohio

Copyright 2019

King Features Syndicate Inc.