HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR HELOISE: I have a pet sitter stay at our home to care for our beloved dogs when we travel. For my peace of mind, I change the ID tags on their collars to reflect the pet sitter’s cellphone number instead of mine.

This is especially important when we’re on long trips, sometimes out of the country or on a cruise ship.

— Nancy in California DEAR READER: Readers, what other pet/travel hints can you come up with?

DEAR HELOISE: What’s the difference between white and cider vinegar?

— A Faithful Reader,

Fort Wayne, Ind. DEAR READER: White vinegar and cider vinegar are both made of acetic acid.

White vinegar typically has more acid (between 5 percent and 8 percent), is more sour and generally is more effective in cleaning.

Cider vinegar is derived from apples and has a golden color, and can include a harmless residue in the bottle, from the heating process, called “mother of vinegar.”

Cider vinegar often is promoted as a health agent, although many of these claims are not proven.

Vinegar is cheap, readily available and safe. Freeze any variety of vinegar in an ice-cube tray, and toss a few down the garbage disposal periodically to freshen it. Run the disposal with cold water to chop up the vinegar cubes.

DEAR HELOISE: I go to outdoor farmers markets, and I am astonished how some people act toward vendors and others. I have seen people with $50 or $100 bills expecting change for a $2 purchase. Be considerate of the vendors.

Also, when visiting with friends at the market, step to the side, and don’t extend pet leashes or baby strollers out. This is a tripping hazard.

— A Reader, Ohio

DEAR HELOISE: My friend and I live together. If we’re both at home and she needs me, she calls me on my cellphone. If I’m in a different part of the house, I will know to come help her.

— Guilda M., Florida

DEAR HELOISE: Living close to the beach and with dirty, sandy feet from time to time, I found a way to easily scrub them up, shiny-clean.

I keep a bottle of inexpensive shampoo in the shower, grab a heavy washcloth, load it up with shampoo and scrub away. — Susie in California Heloise@Heloise.com