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Dear Heloise: I also have plank-style vinyl flooring, and the nonslip textured coating makes it difficult to clean effectively. After sweeping or vacuuming, I spray the floor with a cleaning agent and scrub it with a long-handled, stuff-bristled brush (like a deck brush). It’s the only way I’ve found that gets it really clean, short of getting on my hands and knees with a scrub brush.
Many thanks to all your great hints over the years! -- Patti W., in East Texas
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Heloise@Heloise.com
WEED-KILLING METHOD
Dear Heloise: I use paper towel tubes to kill weeds that come up in my plants. I feed the weed through the tube, which protects the rest of the plant as I spray the weed with weed killer. I leave the tube in place until the weed killer dries. -- Grace O., via email
NO ROLLS FOR PETS
Dear Heloise: Please don’t use cardboard paper rolls for dog or cat toys; this can result in a life-threatening blockage and a very expensive surgery for your beloved pet. -- D.T., in Colorado Springs, Colorado
POTATO CHIP CANS
Dear Heloise: Empty cans that stack potato chips are great for storing knives in the kitchen or garage. I also use one in the garage to hold the little trowel that I use as a pooper scooper! -- Linda S., via email
PET-FREE HOTELS
Dear Heloise: In response to Janice, who has allergies and trouble traveling due to so many pet-friendly hotels, she might find the following resource helpful: PetFreeHotels.com. However, all hotels must allow service animals as required by law. -- Marilyn M., via email
SYRUP IN A BOWL
Dear Heloise: I put about 1-2 tablespoons of syrup in a small bowl when eating pancakes or French toast. I dip the bite-size morsel in the bowl of syrup before I eat it. This way, I always have the morsel with plenty of syrup to taste. And the use of syrup is minimal compared to pouring the syrup over the food, which never seems to be enough. It also helps with saving money because syrup is expensive.
I enjoy reading your column in the Times of Northwest Indiana. -- Patricia P., via email
Patricia, this is a very clever way to cut calories, too. A Hollywood actress once told me that she liked to dip the fork tines into syrup or salad dressing, then into the lettuce or whatever she’s eating. This way, she still got the taste of the dressing but fewer calories. -- Heloise
CAUTION WITH TUNG OIL
Dear Heloise: Bill, in Chesterfield, Missouri, recently suggested using tung oil on cutting boards. Although pure tung oil is safe for food, many tung-oil finishes that are sold commercially contain toxic additives. Also, tung oil requires a 30-day cure to become safe for food. -- Pete, in Ohio
SERVICE DOG QUESTION
Dear Heloise: I have a beautiful service dog, and the other day while I was grocery shopping with Ranger, my golden retriever, the store manager demanded to see paperwork showing that Ranger was a trained service dog. I was told that he couldn’t make a demand to see his paperwork. Or can he? -- Mike B., in Oklahoma
Mike, no one can demand to see proof or toss you out of public places if you use a service dog. The store manager had better brush up on state laws. -- Heloise