Hints From Heloise

Sun., March 17, 1996

King Features Syndicate

Dear Heloise: I find myself in a rather anxious position and you were the first one I thought of who could help me out.

When I started to unscrew a light bulb, the bulb came out, but the rest was left inside the socket.

I’m sure you have given hints on how to fix this situation, but I can’t find it in all of your articles I regularly collect.

Please get me out of this. - A regular reader, Camarillo, Calif.

Make sure you turn the circuit off or, if it’s a lamp, unplug it before attempting to remove the broken bulb. Put a heavy glove on, wad up some newspaper and gently press the paper into the socket. Turn it counterclockwise until the bulb is out.

Don’t try this without wearing a glove, as you may cut your fingers, so be careful. - Heloise

Dear Heloise: How do I remove candle wax from a carpet? - Carol McCraner, Overland Park, Kan.

It’s really pretty easy. If the stain is fresh, be sure to let the candle wax harden before you try to remove it.

Scrape off as much dried wax as possible with the dull edge of the knife. Next, set your iron on the lowwarm setting, lay a few paper towels or an old white cloth over the wax and iron over it. As the wax lifts, move the paper towels or cloth to a clean area and continue until all wax is lifted. If a stain or residue remains, blot with spot remover, being sure to following package directions. Good luck! - Heloise

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.