May 23, 2013 3 min read

Dear Heloise: This hint is for mothers and fathers walking on HIKING OR BIKING TRAILS with their children — or walking anywhere, really. Please remind them to keep their children in front of them, where they can see them, and not let them trail behind. Little ones have trouble keeping up. I see this all the time on the trail in front of my house. Parents quite often are charging ahead, pushing the baby carriage for exercise, while their 4- and 5-year-old children struggle to keep up. It’s unsafe and exhausting for the children.

Also, when taking a walk on public walkways, take a plastic bag and pick up cans and bottles along the way. Toss them in your recycle bin when you return home. — J.D. in Maryland

How right you are! This is good advice for grown-ups, too! When my husband, David, and I are riding motorcycles (or walking on a crowded sidewalk), he always wants me in front so he can keep an eye on me. — Heloise

PERSONAL POLISH

Dear Readers: Have you purchased nail polish and then decided you didn’t like the color? You can still use it to make your own! Mix shades of nail polish to create one-time, one-of-a-kind colors just for you. Just be sure the polishes are regular or quick-drying, etc. I made the mistake of mixing two different types — what a big, gloopy mess! — Heloise

HARD WATER

Dear Heloise: I had hard water build up on the element of my tabletop humidifier. Vinegar to the rescue again! I don’t know how I would have removed it otherwise without damaging it. Thanks for all the great hints. — Elinor S. in California

Hard-water stains don’t stand a chance against apple-cider or plain white vinegar! There are so many uses for vinegar that I wish I had invented it. I always keep it in the house, and I even wrote my Heloise’s Fantabulous Vinegar Hints and More pamphlet to share all my vinegar hints with you! To receive a copy, please send $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (66 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Get sliding glass doors working well by pouring some vinegar into the tracks. Let stand for a short time, then rinse with water. If needed, apply a little spray lubricant. The doors should slide with ease once again! — Heloise

REMINDER NOTEBOOK

Dear Heloise: Keep a notebook next to you (and a pen) wherever you read newspapers and magazines. You can keep names, addresses or websites that interest you for future reference. — Jeanne B. in Pennsylvania

BRUSHING CURLS

Dear Heloise: I use hot rollers to curl my hair. I found that if I immediately brush it after taking the rollers out, it goes flat and loses most of the curl. Now I take the rollers out and go do something else before brushing my hair. The curl stays much better. — A Reader in Pennsylvania