Easy-to-make spray from Heloise keeps your windows clean

DEAR HELOISE: Recently, I noticed that the windows in my home were really dirty, and when I went to clean them, I discovered that I did not have any cleaner! Then I remembered that in one of your columns you suggested making your own cleaner, and fortunately I had saved the column. So I mixed 1 cup of white vinegar with 1 cup of water. Then I removed the dust from the windows and applied this mixture. It really worked.

Rebecca in Kansas

DEAR REBECCA: So glad it did. Use these hints to also help clean your windows: Do not wash windows when the sun is shining directly on them, because the cleaner will dry very quickly and leave streaks. Always dry windows on the outside from right to left and then dry on the inside from top to bottom. Check the windows to be sure you have gotten rid of all residue and lurking streaks.

Heloise

DEAR READERS: Waffles are always popular, and now particularly when served with chicken!

You can have them for lunch or dinner at home. But to make certain your waffles are delicious, use these hints:

Season a new waffle iron before you first use it. Here’s how: Grease with unsalted fat and then preheat. Wipe thoroughly with a paper towel before you pour the batter into it.

Grease will remain on the grids. So remove it often by soaking a paper towel with non-sudsing ammonia, put over the grids and leave on overnight.

The batter will be better if you let it stand for 5 to 10 minutes before pouring it onto the grids.

Heloise DEAR READERS: If you discover one of these in your attic or elsewhere, you will definitely want to get rid of this dreadful odor. First, open the chest to let the air circulate out of it. This will help to dissipate the smell. But further steps will most likely need to be taken to completely remove the lingering stink.

Wipe down the inside with household vinegar that’s been drizzled onto a paper towel; do not overly wet the wood.

If the stink remains, use a 400 grit sandpaper to lightly sand the inside wood. Vacuum up the wood residue.

To bring back the cedar smell, rub the inside with cedar wood oil, which is a natural moth repellant.

Heloise

DEAR READERS: If you have extra ice cube trays that you aren’t using, put them to work for other liquids. Pour leftover tea, coffee or stock into the trays. Freeze and store in sealed freezersafe bags. Use the coffee cubes to cool very hot coffee. Use tea cubes to give more flavor to iced tea.

Add stock cubes to give extra seasoning to main-course dishes.

Heloise