Heloise

Dear Heloise: To open a bottle of nail polish that’s stuck, place a cup of water in the microwave for 1 minute. Then remove the cup from the microwave and place the bottle inside of the cup. Wait about a minute and remove. Presto! — Marty R., via email

TINY HOLES IN T-SHIRTS

Dear Heloise: I’m wondering if anyone has an answer to this mystery. We wear shirts made of T-shirt material every day in our family. Yet, after a short while, they end up with tiny holes in the stomach area. Male or female, belt or no belt, it doesn’t matter; these tiny holes suddenly appear. Any idea where they come from? — Monica T., via email

Monica, the tiny holes are usually caused by a lower quality of fabric, from rubbing against a hard surface (such as the button on a pair of jeans), or from standing against a hard stone surface. Generally speaking, they are most often found around the belly button region. — Heloise

SCALY SHOWER DOORS

Dear Heloise: The best remedy for scaly shower doors is prevention. For years, after every shower, I’ve sprayed my shower doors with this concoction, and they look like they did on the day they were installed:

— 3 cups water

— 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol

— 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide

— 1 tablespoon dishwasher rinse

aid

— 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid.

— Martha C., in Sapulpa, Oklahoma

PETROLEUM JELLY HACK

Dear Heloise: In response to your asking if any readers had a special trick for opening nail polish bottles that get stuck, I avoid this problem when I buy a new bottle. I put a layer of petroleum jelly on the threads. It’s easy to open this way! — Toni M., via email

Toni, this is a good idea. Did you know that placing a thin layer of petroleum on the threads of a light bulb will also make it a little easier to remove when the light burns out? — Heloise

SMELLY DISHWASHER

Dear Heloise: When I open my dishwasher, it has a nasty smell. Is there a good way to remove it? — L.W., in Richmond, Virginia

L.W., this is a sign that bacteria has started to build up in your dishwasher. The best way to get rid of the odor is to use a commercial dishwater tablet designed to clean out the “gunk” that has built up in the dishwasher’s drain and inner workings. You can probably pick up a box of these tablets or powder in your local grocery store. — Heloise

DIY HANKIES

Dear Heloise: This may sound weird, but I have a problem with a constantly runny nose. So, unfortunately, I can end up using a lot of tissues. Having a number of old T-shirts etc that I saved to use as rags, I realized that I could also cut them up and use them as hankies. — Louise W., via email

NAIL POLISH REMOVER HINT

Dear Heloise: I enjoy reading your column daily in the Kenosha News. Regarding stuck-on nail polish lids, when I notice that a bottle cap feels difficult to open, I apply nail polish remover to a cotton ball and clean off the bottle top. I then pour a little remover into the screw top, let it sit for a minute, then wipe it off with a cotton ball. This prevents stuck lids. — Jean H., in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.