A reader wonders what’s the best way to clean up dog hair

DEAR HELOISE: My new longhaired dog is shedding all over my carpet. What’s the best way to remove it all?

Beth in Texas

DEAR BETH: If you have a pooch, this is a common problem. Here are several ways to deal with it:

Vacuum the carpet extremely well, going over the hairy areas a couple of times. Use the brush attachment to really get the hair up.

Wipe a lightly dampened sponge over the hair to lift it off. You can purchase special pet sponges geared for this task at pet stores.

Swipe the rubber bottom of a sneaker over the carpet to pull up hair.

Roll several lengths of masking take around your hand (sticky side up) to pick up small amounts of hair.

Vacuum your pet, very carefully, to remove loose hairs. It may take some time to get your dog used to this.

Finally, to prevent this hairy problem, brush your dog often!

Heloise

DEAR READERS: If you keep furniture in the same place or position in your living room or elsewhere, it will make dents in the carpet. To prevent this, move your furniture around. Here’s how to remove the dents:

Put an ice cube in each dent and let it melt slowly. Allow the moisture to stay until melted. Blot up any leftover moisture in the dents. Then use your fingers to fluff up the carpet.

Heloise DEAR READERS: When you are inviting guests over for a dinner party, you can make it really memorable with this fun place card hint. It certainly will stimulate lots of amusing conversation.

Ask each guest to bring a baby picture. Have your children put the pictures at each plate. Then have them match each guest with the baby picture and seat them accordingly.

Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: I fry a lot of food for my family, and I hate the odor that lingers in the kitchen after cooking. How can I get rid of it?

Kate in Florida

DEAR KATE: Turn on the exhaust fan while you are cooking, and boil 1 cup of water with 1 to 2 tablespoons of vinegar in a pan on the stove. Watch it to make sure the pan does not boil dry.

To make the area smell even better, add a cinnamon stick or a sprinkle of powdered cinnamon to the pan of water.

Heloise