When red wine meets carpet

Dear Readers: I have gotten several letters asking how to get red wine stains out of light colored carpet. When you are having a gathering, a lively and good time with friends and family, this just seems to happen. And we know it’s not the end of the world! Here’s what to do:

Get to the stain quickly. The sooner you do, the better result you will have. Blot up all of the liquid you can. Then apply a mixture of 1 part mild liquid detergent to 20 parts water. Blot with a microfiber cloth until there’s no color left on the carpet. Last, finish with a mix of half white vinegar and half water for a final blot.

Vinegar is must-have in every home! It is so versatile; it can be used for cleaning, deodorizing and cooking. I’ve put together a six-page pamphlet full of vinegar uses that you can have by visiting Heloise. com or by sending $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (75 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001.

FYI: To freshen your toilet bowl, pour in fullstrength vinegar. Leave in for five minutes, scrub and then flush. — Heloise

Hospital Sleep Hint Dear Heloise: If you have a friend or relative or you yourself are going to spend a night or nights in the hospital, give them soft earplugs to use at night. We know that hearing is the last sense to leave the body, but it is the first sense to stimulate the mind. A good night’s sleep is essential to good health — both mental and physical. There is no harm in trying them. — Joan Brown, Fairfax, Virginia