Clean Fireplace Screen

Dear Heloise: What is the best way to clean a wire mesh fireplace screen of dust? – Brenda Choy, San Francisco

Dear Brenda: You should take it outside to give it a good cleaning.

First, lay the screen on a large towel to protect it from getting scratched, then spray with your favorite household cleaner or wash with 3 tablespoons liquid dishwasher detergent in 1 gallon hot water. Next, scrub with a soft cloth or soft-bristle brush then rinse well with hot water. Be sure it dries well so it won’t rust.

Dear Heloise: To keep trash bags from slipping into the trash can, I secure the part that folds over the rim with the elastic waistband from an old clean pair of men’s underwear. – Elleen Gooding, Hondo, Texas

Dear Heloise: I bought an old kitchen clock at a yard sale for $1. It’s white with black numbers. The background has a black grid and the outer white part was discolored. So, to spruce it up, I took a bottle of nail polish that didn’t look good on my nails and painted the outer white rim of the clock. – N.A. Big Cove, N.B., Canada

Dear Heloise: I have always used glass jars in my shop for storing screws, bolts and nuts. This works fine but can be dangerous if you have butter fingers like yours truly. Thanks to my friend’s advice I now use the clear plastic containers that tennis balls come in and give the glass jars to our city’s recycling people. – Ward McCurtain, Beaumont, Texas

Dear Heloise: Don’t take any desk accessories to work that you don’t want broken. After 22 years of office work I have seen many fancy broken coffee cups, flower vases and picture frames. – Ilena Holder, Hollywood, Ala.

Dear Heloise: When trying a new recipe, attach the recipe to a recipe card with a paper clip. Usually the recipe will be advertised with coupons on products that are needed to complete it. Attach all coupons to the recipe card also. – Shirley Divelbliss, Hagerstown, Md.

Send your hints to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas, 78279-5000, or fax them to 1-210-HELOISE.