Hints from Heloise

Dear Heloise: If you want to have a really clean bathtub, use shampoo to clean it occasionally. It will shine like nobody’s business. Rinse well with hot water. – Bea Dodson, Rapid City, S.D.

Absolutely – it’s cheap and safe way to clean shower doors and walls, too. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the shower or tub after using any cleaner. – Heloise

Dear Heloise: I was refinishing some cabinets and wanted to reuse the beautiful hinges. There were about three coats of paint on them, and I had just read about the great things vinegar does. I put the hinges into a bucket of white vinegar and let them sit for 24 hours. Almost all the paint came off using a little wire brush. I soaked them again overnight and then wire-brushed them again. They came out beautifully. – Walt Piantek, Camarillo, Calif.

Dear Heloise: For the black spots on cauliflower, I use a potato peeler and lightly scrape them off with a swiping motion away from me. – Nanci, via e-mail