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Tips for unwrinkling a new rug

Dear Heloise: We recently purchased a 6-by-9-foot rug and pad online. The rug showed up folded tightly inside a small box! We put it on the floor, and after a week, there was no change — the wrinkles were still there. We rolled it up for a month, and there was only a very small change. We called the company we purchased it from, and the lady on the line told me what another customer had done. So, we tried it, and it worked!

We put the pad down on the patio outside, then put the carpet on top with the top side down. We left it in the sun for half a day, and all but one wrinkle disappeared. We put it in the sun again the next day, and there were no more wrinkles! Thanks to the lady who thought of this, whoever she is, because we really liked the rug. — Karen Greding, Thousand Oaks, California

STORE GARBAGE BAGS SEPARATELY

Dear Heloise: I would like to offer a tip to your readers: Store scented garbage bags separate from your kitchen storage bags to avoid baked goods that taste like perfume.

I continue to get homemade baked goods that taste like perfume, and it has got to be from the scented garbage bags. I’ve had to throw away a lot of goods, which is so sad.

I enjoy your column, as always, — Simone, in Spokane County, Washington

CARRY A FANNY PACK ON WALKS

Dear Heloise: When taking walks around the neighborhood or park, use a fanny pack to hold your phone and ID. My neighbor was holding her phone when she fell on the sidewalk, and her phone went flying. Thankfully, a good Samaritan came along to assist.

A fanny pack will ensure that your phone stays close and doesn’t fly out of your hand or pocket. — Vonda Morton, Union, New Jersey

GETTING RID OF DIRT FROM SHOES

Dear Heloise: A reader recently wrote in about wanting something to remove the dirt from shoe soles. Before I retired from my dental office, we would get a product that consisted of a bunch of sticky plastic mats made for that purpose.

They were placed inside the entrance door and worked well. I don’t know the name, but you can probably find them online from a big retailer. — George A., via email

Starting at $2.99/week.

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