Back pain back
Dear Heloise: I have a BAD BACK and do a lot of flying for work. I have tried several types of items to add lumbar support to the airplane seat.
A couple of trips ago, I had an empty 16-ounce water bottle that I decided to try putting behind my back for added lumbar support. It worked perfectly. I’ve used a water bottle like this several times now, and it really makes a huge difference.
One of the nice things about the bottle trick is that you can let air out of the bottle to adjust how much lumbar support is needed.
The reason I’m sending you this hint is that the flight attendant noticed and said that she’d never seen anyone do this, so I thought it would be helpful to others who have back problems.
I really enjoy your column. — Mitch C., Omaha, Neb.
Mitch, you are brilliant! As someone who has logged more than 2.5 million miles (one airline alone) sitting on planes, I’ve never seen this! It was tested in Heloise Central, and it’s fantabulous!
I filled one with hot tap water and am using it in my office chair right now. Thank you, thank you, and oh, my back thanks you! — Hugs, Heloise
P.S.: Readers, I just got off the phone with Mitch to tell him I love this hint! He said he wanted to pass it along to help others. He did!
SEND A GREAT HINT TO:
Heloise
P.O. Box 795000
San Antonio, TX 78279-5000
Fax: 1-210-HELOISE
Email: Heloise@Heloise.com
HANDHELD PHOTO STICK
Dear Heloise: I live in a college dorm. When I want to watch a movie and not disturb my roommate, I use my cellphone and earphones. I put the phone on a selfie stick to view the movie. I watch the movie without disturbing my roommate and without stress or discomfort to me. — Bill T., via email
HARDWOOD CLEANUP
Dear Heloise: A rug with a nonslip backing was stuck to the hardwood floor. I pulled it up, and there were tiny dots of rubber or latex stuck on the wood.
What is the best way to remove these? They can be scratched off with a fingernail, but there is still a sticky substance left behind. What cleaning solution would be best? — Wanda A., Hickory, N.C.
Ouch! This is why you should NOT use a rubber-backed rug on wood floors unless you move it often so it does not adhere to the wood. Easy answer: a slightly damp (use warm tap water) microfiber cloth to clean off the tiny dots. The cloth won’t hurt the floor at all and is great for removing all kinds of “stuff” from wood, tile and painted floors. — Heloise
RECYCLE PUMP BOTTLES
Dear Heloise: I have arthritis in my hands and asked my hairdresser if she had empty pump containers I could have. She happily obliged.
Now I buy my favorite shampoo and conditioner and put it into the pump bottles. That is so much easier for me. — Peggy J., via email
CLEAN INSIDE BOOTS
Dear Heloise: My husband wears steel-toe work boots for hours each day, and they cause him to sweat. He changes socks and washes his feet, but the insides of the boots have become filthy. The lining isn’t removable, and buying a new pair before these wear out isn’t practical.
Do you have suggestions for cleaning these boots? They’re expensive! Thank you. — Micheline, via email
Yes, I do! This is a very common problem, and not a new one at that. If you mean that the inside is sort of “dirty,” then put a squirt of hair shampoo into a cup of water and use that to clean the inside. Dampen a small scrub brush or sponge and scrub, pat and rub the inside. Use a clean sponge to “rinse off” the shampoo, doing so several times. It may take a day or so to dry. Turn them UPSIDE DOWN to dry. Hint: Stuff with crumpled-up newspapers, and change when damp.
To prevent the problem, sprinkle baking soda inside BEFORE putting on the boots. When clean, spray with a foot spray, which kills bacteria and odor. He can spray his feet with antiperspirant/deodorant, too. Let me know how this works out. — Hugs, Heloise
P.S.: I do this with the boots I wear when riding my motorcycle, and they are over 35 years old! No smell either, although they are a little beaten up.