Set up a pet trust to ensure good care
DEAR READERS: If you want to make certain that your pet is cared for when you die or become disabled, all 50 states have laws that allow you to set up pet trusts. You will want to talk with a lawyer about this possibility. You can leave money for this purpose and assign a trustee or caregiver to ensure your pet is taken care of for the rest of its life. If you don’t have a trust or designated family member or friend to take your pet, it could end up in a shelter.
DEAR HELOISE: I take my kids to baseball games during the summer and, of course, we have to eat hot dogs. And, of course, the mustard always ends up dribbling on their clothes. How can I get this tough stain out?
— Annie in New Jersey
DEAR ANNIE: The key is to get to these nasty stains as soon as you can. The longer the mustard stays on the fabric, the harder it is to remove. For washable clothing, dampen the stained areas with water and rub liquid laundry detergent directly into them. Soak the garments in hot water with the detergent until the stains are gone. Rinse, then use an enzyme detergent for the final laundering.
DEAR READERS: Our kitchen drains get so much daily use they are bound to retain some smells from food debris. It is important to clean and clear them often so a blockage does not happen. You don’t want to have to pay for a plumber if you can handle the job yourself. Take these steps:
To eliminate that awful odor, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain and add 1 to 2 cups of vinegar. Let it bubble for several minutes. Then run cold water to flush out the drain. To further eliminate the odor, pour 1/2 cup of liquid bleach down the drain and pour in 1 cup of cold water. Let this stay for 20 minutes and then flush with water.
DEAR READERS: If you use pesticides for your garden or lawn, be aware while they can be effective at controlling pests or weeds, they also can be toxic or dangerous to pets and children. Here’s how to handle them:
1. Put them in a locked cabinet and label them “POISON” or “DANGER.”
2. Be sure they are stored up and away.
3. Explain to your children the pesticides are bad and that they should not be touched or opened.
Write to P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000.