Heloise

Dear Heloise: We are using citric acid to keep our dish- and glassware clear. When dishwasher detergents stopped using phosphates, our glassware got cloudy. Additives became readily available at the grocery store; the 12- and 16-ounce containers were pricey but effective. After a few years of the cost, I finally read the ingredients: citric acid. That’s it. A quick search brought up several online options by the pound. It also works super fast to cut through hard water buildup at a fraction of the cost! — Cynthia B., via email

COUNTING BACK CHANGE

Dear Heloise: This may not be in your bailiwick, but I’m so tired of young clerks dumping change in my hand and saying, “There you go.” Obviously they’re not trained well. I expect them to count my change as they put it in my hand and say, “Thank you.” Sales training staff and managers, please take note! — Patricia, in St. Louis

Patricia, I remember when clerks counted a customer’s change back to them. To me, it’s just more professional to count out the change. So, I asked a store manager why they didn’t count change back to the customer, and her answer was that many of the people whom they hire are unable to grasp the concept! Or they get confused while counting.

Does anyone out there believe that counting change back to a customer is difficult? Let us know at Heloise@Heloise.com. — Heloise

TRICKY WOOD FLOORING

Dear Heloise: I love your column. I just wanted to let people know that the vinyl plank floors or luxury vinyl plank floors are great. They’re waterproof, scratch-resistant and more. However, if you get one of the floors that looks like wood planks, take a careful look at the patterns. Some of them have black spots. This is natural in real wood flooring; however, it’s a nuisance when you’re trying to clean vinyl floors and can’t tell the difference between a squished raisin and a spot that’s printed in the floor.

I’m tempted to take some beige/light brown paint and dab it over the spots. Any suggestions would be appreciated. — Joan T., in Eugene, Oregon

Joan, painting over the black spot will wear off over time, so you’ll eventually have to continue repainting it. Placing a sticker over the spots will also come off and might leave a sticky residue. If I were in your place, I’d just leave it alone. But do my readers have any suggestions for Joan’s dilemma? Let us know! — Heloise

DANCING TO THE OLDIES

Dear Heloise: To Paula, in Tucson, Arizona, I, too, am retired and hate ironing. I’ve invested in several “golden oldies” CDs. When it comes time to dust, I play these CDs very loud as I dance around the house, singing while I dust. In my mind, I’m still very young as I enjoy my memories through movement and music. It’s good exercise, too! — Jackie S., in Rapid City, South Dakota

Jackie, I do the same thing. Many times, I’ve vacuumed to Roy Orbison’s songs or dusted to “The Four Seasons.” I usually mop the floors to an opera. I may sing off-key, but it makes housework a lot more fun! Anyone else out there like dancing while dusting? — Heloise

DOUBLE DUVETS

Dear Heloise: My husband and I have been happily married for over 50 years. On our king-sized bed, we’ve always used two extra-long twin duvets and covers. My duvet is heavyweight, and his is lightweight. We’ve never had the problem of one person being too hot or cold — or of someone “stealing” the covers while turning in bed. — K.S., in California

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Heloise@Heloise.com