Now Here’s A Tip: Solution for stubborn stains

“Readers: I get many requests for a solution to stubborn antiperspirant stains. Here’s one solution for non-set stains — i.e., items that have maybe been washed, but not run through the dryer: add half a cup of ammonia to 4 cups of water; dab the solution on the stain; repeat until the stain is removed; wash and dry. Do not launder with chlorine bleach after treating garment with ammonia.

“Here’s another laundry tip: I keep an old sock handy by the dryer to swipe up stray lint after cleaning the lint trap. In fact, I keep a basket of unmatched socks by the dryer, handy for any cleaning purpose.

“”My son wears baseball caps — all the time. He must have 30 of them. I installed a tension rod in the very top of his closet, about 6 inches out from the top of the doorway. I added a few S-hooks, and he can keep his collection up there. The hats hang nicely from the hooks, and they don’t get crushed like on a shelf. At that height in the closet, it was unused space anyway.” — T.L.’s Mom in Colorado

“”I keep a couple of stamps and a couple of return-address labels in my wallet. This has proven to be a very handy practice many times.” — R.D. in South Carolina

“”To keep track of books I have borrowed, I cut a 1-inch strip of heavy paper, write on it the date and person from whom I borrowed the book, and use it as a bookmark. I know at an instant if I have had the book too long, and to whom I should return it.” — S.L. in Oregon