Dear Heloise: I hate the smell of MOTHBALLS. Recently, I noticed that by placing lemon peelings in mesh bags in my closet, I could eliminate the use of mothballs. It worked like a charm! — Lisa W., Lowell, Mass.

AWAY FROM HOME

Dear Heloise: My husband and I travel overseas, sometimes for as long as a month at a time. To keep our home safe, we make certain it doesn’t look empty by using a few simple tricks:

* We use a timer on our lights, so that when the kitchen light turns off, the bedroom light goes on. We do this all over the house.

* We have the post office hold our mail, and a neighbor we trust picks up anything left on our doorstep, such as flyers and papers of any kind. We have a lawn service keep our yard mowed and hedges trimmed.

* When we had a pet, we’d have a pet-sitter service feed and water our pet.

* Our car was parked halfway up the driveway so that thieves couldn’t back up a truck or van and empty out the house.

— Betty L., Norman, Okla.

HARD PAINTBRUSHES

Dear Heloise: Whenever our paintbrushes get hard, I soften them by placing them in very hot vinegar until they become pliable again, then wash with warm water and soap. — Delores M., Webster City, Iowa

Delores, vinegar is my “go-to” cleaning and all-purpose product. There are so many things you can do with vinegar. If you’d like to see the many ways we use vinegar at the Heloise household, get my pamphlet Heloise’s Fantabulous Vinegar Hints and More. Send $5, along with a stamped (71 cents), self-addressed, long envelope, to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Or you can order it online at www.Heloise.com. Vinegar can make so many chores much easier and less expensive. — Heloise

GIVE YOUR PLANTS DESSERT

Dear Heloise: Before the cold weather sets in, be sure to give your plants dessert. Just mix 1 teaspoon of a dessert gelatin with a gallon of liquid fertilizer, or with a gallon of water. Mix well, then quickly pour around the soil of the plant. The gelatin helps the soil hold water, and the sugar feeds the organisms within the soil. — Ashley H., Somerset, Ky.

BUTTON MAGIC

Dear Heloise: After sewing on a button, I like to use a tiny drop of clear nail polish in the center of the button. This ensures that the thread will not become loose and my button will stay on and not need to be sewn again. — Nancy O., Derby, Kan.

LETTER OF LAUGHTER

Dear Heloise: While reaching under the bed for my son’s socks, I felt something strange. When I pulled it out, I saw that I had a large, green snake in my hand. I dropped it and screamed bloody murder. As my eyes focused on the thing, I realized that it was a rubber snake! I felt relieved as I finally got off the dresser. — Valerie F., Grafton, W.Va.

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Hints from Heloise run occasionally in Lifestyles. Readers may send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE, or email: Heloise@Heloise.com. Letters won’t be answered personally.