House numbers hidden
Dear Heloise: Will you please advise people to put their HOUSE NUMBER on the front of their house so that it can be seen from the road? This is a must for the fire department, police and emergency vehicles.
Businesses also should have large numbers, high on the building, to be seen quickly and easily when in traffic.
People living in the country should have numbers on both sides of the mailbox for delivery drivers. — Betty in Mansfield, Ohio
Betty, you did, and thank you for the good reminder! Folks, pretend you don’t know your house and try to find the number. On the mailbox? On the curb? On the front door? Is it blocked by bushes? Is the paint faded? Can you even see it?
Your life (or that of someone you love) could depend on this simple hint! — Heloise
CLEAN SCREEN
Dear Heloise: I’ve found that the best way to clean a digital TV screen is by using those little spray bottles of eyeglass lens cleaner. No streaks!
I read your column in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. — Tim H., McKeesport, Pa.
Tim, thanks for being a loyal reader, and say “Hi” to my friends in Pittsburgh. I like your hint, but please be sure to spray the special cleaner on a soft cloth first, NOT directly on the screen. Do use a lint-free cloth; a microfiber one is the best. Keep sending in your hints. — Heloise
SILICA GEL PACKS
Dear Readers: Here are some other ways to use the silica gel pack found in many products:
n Store with sterling silver to help keep tarnish at bay.
n Stash in a box of envelopes to prevent the envelopes from sticking to each other.
n Put a pack in a plastic zippered bag with important papers to keep them dry.
n Tuck into small containers of nails, screws and pins to retard rust.
Always keep the gel packs out of the reach of children and pets. — Heloise
JEWELRY CLEANER
Dear Readers: Some of you may have received beautiful jewelry or bought some yourself last month. Since you have asked, I’m reprinting my Heloise Homemade Jewelry Cleaner formula so you can keep your jewelry looking new.
Mix equal parts household ammonia and water in a small bowl or jar. Immerse pieces in the solution and leave for a few minutes. Remove and gently clean with a soft little brush. Rinse with warm water, then dip in a bowl of rubbing alcohol and dry with a hand towel or microfiber cloth.
Caveats: This solution is only for genuine gold and diamond jewelry. It is NOT for jewelry with pearls or soft stones. — Heloise
REUSE WREATH
Dear Heloise: The beautiful Christmas wreath does triple duty at my house. After Christmas, I pull anything “Christmas-y” off and add plastic snowflakes and a silver bow. Come February, I tuck in a red heart among the snowflakes. By March, it’s done its duty. — Jackie in Colorado
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(at)Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.