Readers seeking help with cloudy shower doors, expensive hair dye, bigger paychecks

HMAT oaty » How can I get the hard water marks off my glass shower doors? I’ve tried vinegar, and that helped some, but the marks remain. Thanks!

— Julie

HMAT JULIM » There’s a chance the glass has become permanently “etched” due to hard water sitting on it over many years. But I’d give it one last try with the mother of all hard-water mark removers: oven cleaner.

I’d go with Easy- Off maximum-strength fumefree oven cleaner, available in most supermarkets and stores such as Walmart and Target. Be sure to put on rubber gloves, and then apply with a sponge.

Leave it overnight, and rinse in the morning. Good luck!

HMAT oaty » For years, I have been coloring my hair with an $8 name-brand product. It looks pretty bad, and I need profesgreat! And you are smart sional help. But how can I to think of this now besave money on this? Salons HMAT OALDOLO » Here’s cause without specific diappear to charge at least the scoop on all those rection, that $200 could $100 per session for color laundry labels: The word easily evaporate into thin and highlights. Thanks, “ultra”air.meanstheproduct from a grateful reader. Whas been concentrated to — Sheila fit into a smaller box. The problem is that unless you carefully measure, you’ll probably dump in the same amount as you have in the past, so go easy!

A product that has fabric softener added isn’t going to clean or soften as well but generally is cheaper than buying two different products.

Liquid detergents are more expensive and work better on greasy stains, but the cheaper powdered detergents are better on clay, dirt and mud stains.

HMAT ucmila » If I were you, I would look for a college of beauty or a community college with a cosmetology department that offers services to the public. (Actually, I have!) Typically, you will pay for materials only, plus a gratuity. Students perform services under the close supervision of instructors. Try to get a recommendation from a satisfied customer, or request a senior student who has demonstrated excellent colorizing skills.

HMAT oaty » The laundry aisle at my grocery store is overwhelming. Is “ultra” detergent worth the extra money? What’s the difference between liquid and powdered detergents, besides the price? Is one brand better than another?

HMAT oaty » I just got a raise that translates to about $200 a month spendable. I have no savings and am working hard to rapidly repay my credit card debt. How should I use this money?

— Daniel

HMAT HANIML » Wow, this is

hile your debt is very expensive for you, I do not recommend you use these new funds to repay the debt more quickly.

Instead, you should build a contingency fund, commonly known as an emergency fund, with your raise. Without money you can get your hands on in a true emergency, you will be forever running to credit cards when the car breaks down or you experience a temporary lapse in employment.

Just make sure you park it in a safe place where it is safe from you and can earn some amount of interest.