Hints From Heloise: Weeds get whacked by vinegar

Dear Heloise: When there are WEEDS in the cracks of our driveway, I use vinegar to kill them. The next day, they are drying up, and eventually, no more weeds. It works great. -- Lorena S., Plymouth, Ind.

Lorena, this is a cheap, Earth-friendly way to keep weeds not only out of the driveway, but from between cracks in the sidewalk or steppingstones. Just pour or spray full-strength vinegar on any unwanted weeds around your home. This is one of many cost-saving hints in my vinegar pamphlet. Want to know even more? Order my pamphlet by sending $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (65 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Did you know that vinegar can help stop the itch of some insect bites? Simply soak a cotton ball in vinegar and dab it on the bite. -- Heloise

CHANGING COVERS

Dear Heloise: I love my smartphone and the different covers I can use. It can get quite expensive to constantly change the cover. I found a way without the cost. I bought a clear cover and cut scrapbook paper to fit inside it. Now I can easily change it out to reflect my mood or outfit. It works well with photos, too. Just be careful not to cover any ports or the camera! Love your column. -- Wendi, via e-mail

WRAPPING LARGE GIFTS

Dear Heloise: I discovered a good way to wrap gifts, especially children’s, after I was frustrated at not being able to find wrapping paper with my grandson’s favorite cartoon character.

I bought a tablecloth for a couple of dollars and was able to wrap several large gifts and even redecorate a gift bag. My grandson was so excited to see his favorite cartoon character on several of his gifts.

Also, if it is plastic, it won’t tear while transporting gifts. -- Ivana, via e-mail

RECIPE HOLDER

Dear Heloise: I had trouble keeping a recipe book or even a copy of a page from a recipe book handy so that I could easily read it and put the recipe together. At my annual girl’s lunch, I mentioned my dilemma, and my friend Laura came up with the best solution ever!

She suggested that I get one of the skirt or pants hangers from the closet. Use one that is nice and sturdy, whose clips are strong and tight. Then put the hanger over a knob on an upper cabinet and attach the book or page to it! Oh my gosh -- it worked fabulously! -- Marlene R., via e-mail

TRAVEL HINT

Dear Heloise: I save the wire hangers from the dry cleaners and take them with me when I travel. Most hotels provide only a couple of hangers, and between my wife and me, we usually need more than that. There is no stress, either, if they get left behind. -- Tim in Oregon

Send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Tex. 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. Please include your city and state.

2012, King Features Syndicate