Dear Heloise: I have a clear-glass shower door and have tried different methods to remove the SOAP SCUM that accumulates. Hard water seems to accelerate the buildup of soap residue on the door. I thought of shampoo as a possible soap-scum remover, because shampoo is formulated to rinse hair completely. It works like a charm, with little effort. The type of shampoo doesn't seem to matter. Put a small amount of shampoo on a cloth and go over the surface. Rinse, use a squeegee, and you are done. I've also used shampoo to clean a clear-vinyl shower curtain. -- Delores, via e-mail
Delores, this is one of my favorite hints! You are right -- hair shampoo is safe, cheap and perfect to clean many things in the bathroom -- shower doors, bathtub, sink and hairbrushes!
Also, put a squirt on ring around the collar, then rub in and launder. -- Heloise
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Heloise
P.O. Box 795000
San Antonio, TX
78279-5000
Fax: 210-HELOISE
E-mail:
Heloise(at)Heloise.com
Car key travel hint
Dear Heloise: I do a lot of job-related and personal travel. A few months ago, as I exited the car, the wind blew the door shut with my keys on the car seat. Fortunately, I keep a spare set in the office, and a colleague was kind enough to drive the 30 miles to bring them to me.
It occurred to me that this could happen to any of us at any time. Now I keep a spare set of house and car keys with me at all items. They are attached to my waistband or pocket with a mitten clip, and at night I put them with my glasses so they're attached the minute I get up. Given the cost of a locksmith, I figure the effort is well worth it.
Another hint: I have arthritis, so it is hard to reach my upper back to put lotion on. I discovered that a plastic spatula does the trick beautifully. -- Juanita, via e-mail
This happened to me only one time, and I, too, kept a key in my wallet after that. I never get out of the car without my purse. -- Heloise
Bagless vacuum
Dear Heloise: To clean the cylinder in a bagless vacuum, put your newspaper bags to use. Slide the dirty cylinder into the delivery bag that the paper comes in, cinch the top and tap away to knock the dirt out. This keeps the dust from flying everywhere, including on garbage day. -- Janet, via fax
Chrome fixtures
Dear Heloise: We all struggle to keep bathroom fixtures new-looking and shiny. Let's take a hint from our husbands and use auto-chrome polish on bathroom faucets from the time they are new. My husband polishes them for me, and it works like a charm -- they look brand-new forever! -- Connie, Verona, N.J.
Used dryer sheets
Dear Heloise: I save used dryer sheets for reuse in an old tissue box. The box keeps them organized and handy to get at. -- A.J., via e-mail
Handy newspaper bag
Dear Heloise: We travel with antique cars for tours and shows. We use paper towels to keep our old machines looking good. The Sunday newspaper wrappers are excellent for keeping full rolls of paper towels from getting wet during our travels. Be sure the bags are not damaged and leak. Just puff into the bag and see if it holds air; if so, you are good to go. They keep rags and items organized and clean in vehicle trunks, too. -- John Young, San Antonio
