Stainless steel scratches
Dear Heloise: I have SCRATCHES on my stainless-steel stovetop and refrigerator. Is there any way I can remove them? The scratches were made when I used a hard dish towel to clean instead of using a soft cloth. — Irene C., via email
Well, sad to say there is no easy way to repair scratches on stainless steel, according to The Stainless Steel Information Center.
I’m curious: You said you used a “hard” dish towel? I really can’t imagine that scratching stainless steel, unless you also were using some sort of abrasive cleaner.
You can use a multipurpose metal polish, which just might work if the scratches are very light. I use this on my stainless-steel stovetop and the refrigerator at our getaway place at the South Texas Coast. A professional may have to fix it if the scratches are really deep. — Heloise
CALL BEFORE VACATION
Dear Heloise: Before leaving on a vacation out of the country, I asked my husband and daughter to call their credit-card companies to let them know the dates we would be gone. I always do this so the credit card is not declined.
Well, my husband forgot to call, and his card was declined. No big deal. He called and resolved the matter while having a good laugh with the representative. I remind my friends and relatives to make that call and avoid the potential embarrassment of a declined credit card. — Jessica W. in New York
PEACE OF MIND
Dear Heloise: My mother has early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. She refuses to wear a medical bracelet or necklace, and pulls them off. She is on a couple of medications, and it worried us that she would not have any identification or information if she wandered off or was in an accident.
We ordered some custom temporary tattoos. They are really cheap and stay on a long time. We put her name, our phone number and her medications on three lines. She wears it on her upper arm, and it doesn’t bother her a bit. — Yvette, via email
This is a brilliant hint that gives you peace of mind. This idea will help a lot of my readers! Thanks for taking the time to share. — Heloise
CARE PACKAGE
Dear Heloise: Here’s a hint for parents with children in college: When sending a care package, use packaged noodle soups to pad items.
These noodle soups are lightweight, inexpensive and a college-student staple. If the noodles break during shipment, it’s really not a big deal. — Joann F. in Texas
This is a two-for hint, as you are sending food, too! — Heloise
SAVE BATTERIES
Dear Heloise: To save battery life on the wireless mouse used with the computer, turn it off when not in use and flip it upside down.
The next time you use it, you will be reminded to turn it back on first. — Jerry P. in Georgia
Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.