Dear Heloise: R.J. of New Orleans wrote about a stuck key lock. Home improvement stores sell small tubes of powdered graphite that have a tiny nozzle to fit into the offending lock. A short squeeze or two pumps of powdered graphite into the lock, and voila! Problem solved. No more having to shave lead pencils and trying to blow graphite into the offending lock as you suggested. — E.J.R., in Laguna Hills, California

SHREDDED PAPER

Dear Heloise: In a recent Arizona Daily Star, M.K. said they put their shredded paper in a box and put it out on recycling day. Shredded paper is not acceptable for recycling! It may be used in gardens that are mixed with soil or compost, used in packing fragile items, or put in the trash.

So many sources exist for recycling. Everyone must learn what can and cannot be recycled. If in doubt, throw it out! — Judy A., Green Valley, Arizona

COMPOSTING QUESTIONS

Dear Heloise: I just started a compost pile behind our barn. We recycle everything we can, but there are a few items I’m not sure about, such as bones, dead plants, manure, hair from haircuts, my daughter’s parakeet, and wood shavings. — Vera S., Albuquerque, New Mexico

Vera, here is the list:

— Bones: No.

— Dead plants: Depends on how they died. If they died from neglect, it’s OK but not if they died from a disease.

— Manure: Risky. Animal manure can carry parasites, so the answer is “no.”

— Human hair: I’d have to say it’s OK.

— Parakeet remains: Probably not. Dig a small hole in the earth and give the parakeet a funeral.

— Wood shavings: Yes, you can put them in the compost file.

Things such as healthy plant material, leaves, grass cuttings, vegetable peelings, and fruit that’s gone bad are all good for a compost pile. Old medication, motor oil, dead animals and plastic are no-nos. — Heloise

GENDER REVEAL PARTIES

Dear Heloise: I hate the gender reveal parties so many people are having. First, it’s an excuse to have a party, which is fine, but too often, I’ve seen pregnant mothers drinking alcohol while knowing that it’s wrong. Sometimes there’s disappointment when the gender isn’t what someone hoped for or there’s more than one baby on the way. But the worst argument I ever saw was about relatives arguing over what to name the baby, and it wasn’t even their child!

My daughter-in-law wanted a gender reveal party, and she asked if she could have it in our backyard because it’s landscaped beautifully. We had the usual cake, coffee, finger sandwiches, and fruit-and-cheese trays. After everyone left, my spoiled daughter-in-law broke down sobbing because no one brought any gifts!

You can keep these gender reveal parties! — Marie F., in Macon, Georgia

Well, readers … what do you think about gender reveal parties? Sound off to Heloise@Heloise.com. –Heloise

HAPPY PLANTING

Dear Readers: In many parts of the country, people are getting their gardens in shape for spring planting. If you’re planting something new that you haven’t used before, you can go online, type in the name of the plant, and get instructions on the do’s and don’ts of that particular item. Happy planting! — Heloise

LAUNDRY HINTS

Dear Heloise: Your reply to J.T. in Wisconsin was spot-on! I learned the tip of using less laundry soap and white vinegar from a popular social media app a while back. I only use about 2 tablespoons of liquid detergent (skip the pods) and about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of white vinegar (in the fabric softener container) when doing the wash. My towels are much more absorbent.

Another tip: Instead of using fabric softener sheets in the dryer, use wool balls. (Three work well.) And to help minimize static from clothes, secure a safety pin to each dryer ball. I also keep an antistatic spray on my dryer for when I wash several synthetic garments together. I give a quick spray as needed when I unload the dryer. — Kim, in North Carolina

CHEEKY READER

Dear Heloise: By applying a tiny bit of petroleum jelly and a bit of lipstick to my cheeks, it makes for a great cheek color and always matches my lipstick. I can make it as dark or light as I like. I can even dig it out of the tube and put the lipstick in an old powder cheek-color container, along with a bit of petroleum jelly.– Dotty, via email

SEND A GREAT HINT TO: Heloise@Heloise.com