HELPFUL HINTS
DEAR HELOISE: In the wintertime, I spray the outside glass on my vehicle with vinegar. In case it gets below freezing and snows, the ice and snow won’t stick to the windows. When the other cars’ windows are covered with ice and snow, mine are clear. — Marvin O. in Montana DEAR READER: This is an old, classic Heloise hint. You want to mix either white or cider vinegar with water (a ratio of 3 parts vinegar to 1 part water) before using on car windows. I keep a microfiber cloth under the front seat and one in the glove box. When stuck at a loooong (yes, I spelled it loooong!) light, I figure, why waste that time? I dust a window or two, the control panel and any surface I can reach.
DEAR HELOISE: I have the solution for family-photograph Christmas cards. I now have two trees — one traditional and the other with lights and only photographs cut to size. Florist wire makes quick hangers, and you can put on enough lights so you can call it your “family tree.” It’s one-of-a-kind. I have been doing this for years, and during our open house, people spend more time looking at all the pictures.
— Catherine T., Texas
DEAR HELOISE: With our children off to college, we decided to sell our home and downsize. Everything we wanted to keep would not fit in our new house. So we rented a storage unit.
To keep boxes and furniture organized, we used different-color packing tape — red to storage and blue to the new home. We tagged furniture with sticky notes of red or blue. We also organized the boxes in separate areas.
The movers were grateful for our foresight, making their job easier. Also, it lessened the time to load and unload, so we had a lower-than-anticipated bill.
— Theresa C., via email
DEAR HELOISE: Don’t throw away your air mattress once it gets a hole in it and can’t be repaired. Cut it open on three sides, turn inside out and use it as a small tarp to cover outdoor items during winter.
— Sharlene W., Tyrone, Pa.
DEAR HELOISE: I keep a pair of reading glasses in the laundry room for reading washing instructions on garments. Some of those labels have very small print.
— Jodi, via email