Use microfiber cloth to remove ‘black soot’ from wallpaper

Dear Heloise: What can I use to remove candle smoke from washable wallpaper? — Pam, by email

Dear Pam: I am guessing that you are talking about the “black soot,” or carbon, and not the smoke smell. Since the wallpaper is washable, you are in luck. But first, always test a small spot before working on the whole area.

Use a dry microfiber cloth or paper towel to dab, and pat and gently rub just one small spot. You should see the black stuff come off. Remove all that you can in this manner.

If some soot remains, put a drop of dish soap in a large bowl of water. Mix well and dip a clean sponge (squeeze it so it’s just damp) into the solution, and clean only a tiny spot. Don’t rub the whole soot mark at one time; you will just spread it around. When it’s removed, wipe with a little water on a paper towel and let dry. — Heloise

MOVING DISHES

Dear Heloise: I am moving for the first time (going by truck) and know you have some hints about packing my china dishes. — A. Anderson in Dallas

Dear A. Anderson: Here’s the low-cost Heloise hint: Use paper or plastic foam plates to place between each dish. Wrap a small stack (no more than five plates) with plain white paper. Don’t use newspaper — the ink might rub off. Pack tightly into boxes cushioned with bath towels, sheets or materials that you are moving. — Heloise

SAFE LIGHT

Dear Heloise: With Halloween over, there will be plenty of glow sticks for sale. Buy some and keep them on hand for times when the electricity may go out because of a storm or other event. Just snap them, and you have enough light to see for several hours without worrying about batteries running down or candles burning. — Kathy M., by email

CARDBOARD PIZZA HOLDERS

Dear Readers: What to do with the circular cardboard that the frozen pizza comes on? Don’t toss it — make it into something else. Cover with aluminum foil and use to put cookies, pastry or a cake on when taking the goodies to a potluck, etc. — Heloise

Hints from Heloise is syndicated by King Features Syndicate. Send great hints to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; by fax, 210-435-6473; or by email, heloise@heloise.com.