Dear Readers: When washing your walls, dust them before washing and wash them from the bottom up so that the drips won’t leave their marks. Clean one small area at a time, then rinse and dry before moving on to another area. — Heloise

COOKING OATS

Dear Heloise: I have found that using my rice cooker for old fashioned oats is very easy. I put 2 1/4 cups of water and a dash of salt in my 6-cup rice cooker and let the water warm up. I then put a crumbled nut granola bar and 2 tablespoons of peanut butter in, then let it melt while stirring. Next, I add 2 cups of old fashioned rolled oats. After the oats start to boil, I turn off the rice cooker and let them sit for 10 minutes. Then I serve and enjoy! — J.B., via email

HIGH-TECH WAYS TO TRACK YOUR PETS

Dear Heloise: There are a number of new gadgets to monitor your precious pets, such as collars with a GPS and a video camera. Boarding and day care places have doggie cams so that you can check on your pooch from your laptop or smartphone. — Betsy, Bellingham, Washington

REMOVING MILDEW

Dear Readers: You can remove most mildew from the grouting between tiles by rubbing it with an old toothbrush dipped in laundry bleach. Don’t use abrasive powders or steel wool pads because they will scratch the tile. Rinse with clear water after cleaning. — Heloise

MASHING PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

Dear Heloise: I love peanut butter cookies, and so does my family. I often used a fork to mash a crisscross pattern in the middle. Then I sprinkled some brown sugar on top, and they always turned out delicious. But I had another idea:

I now use a potato masher. It works just as well. I dampen the masher, then dip it into brown sugar. Then I just press the pattern into the cookies. Works like a charm! — L.B., Dallas

DISPLAYING FLOWERS CREATIVELY

Dear Readers: Want to display flowers, but don’t have a vase? Just about anything that holds water can work as a vase. For example, you can display flowers in a crystal ice bucket, fluted champagne glasses, mugs or cocktail pitchers.

Don’t throw away your favorite crystal water glass or pitcher when it has a chip in it. Use it to hold fresh or artificial flowers. Silk flowers can be arranged in your favorite containers that don’t hold water. — Heloise

JOB FAIR TIPS

Dear Readers: If you are looking for work, going to job fairs can be very helpful. There may be lots of employers and companies attending, so try to make contact with as many as people you can. — Heloise

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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.