DEAR HELOISE: Residue from red wine has built up in my lead crystal decanter, and I cannot find a way to remove it. I have tried vinegar, salt, baking soda and lemon juice, but nothing helps.
– Nancy H., via email
DEAR NANCY: Sure can! Start with hot water and powdered dishwasher detergent. Let soak for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing. If this doesn't work, fill the decanter with warm or hot white vinegar and let sit overnight. Scrub, wash and rinse.
If neither hint works, fill the decanter with hot water, drop in a couple of denture-cleaning tablets and let sit overnight. When cleaning a vase that you cannot fit your hand into, pour in vinegar and a teaspoon of uncooked rice. Shake to get the vase clean.
DEAR READERS: Recycling paper is a great way to help the environment. With the U.S. Postal Service having announced changes to the mailing and shipping rates, which took effect in January, consider making unique, personalized postcards to keep in touch with friends and family.
The cost of a first-class postcard is now 32 cents. The minimum size of a postcard is 5 inches long by 3 1/2 inches high by 0.007 inches thick, and the maximum size is 6 inches long by 4 1/4 inches high by 0.016 inches thick. A postcard larger than the maximum size will be charged as a letter or a large envelope, so keep this in mind when making your own.
DEAR HELOISE: During a hurricane one year, I came up with a new use for the solar lights along my walkway. With the electricity out, I brought them inside at night and put them in a vase to light the room. In the morning, I put them back in the sunlight to recharge.
– Sue E., Woodbury, Conn.
DEAR HELOISE: This hint is for college students coming home on break and needing some extra money.
A few weeks before you get home, text or email all the families that you used to baby-sit for and send them the dates you are available for watching their kids while on break. I did this and had numerous jobs already lined up before I even got home. I went back to school with a good amount of cash!
– Kayla D., Albany, N.Y.
© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.
Send a great hint to Heloise, P.O. 79500, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "Report Abuse" link below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.