By Heloise
Thursday, September 22, 2005 12:00 AM

Dear Readers: SHOWER HEAD spraying everywhere except on you? Here's how to remove those pesky mineral deposits:

Take the shower head off, if possible, and soak it in some warm-to-hot vinegar. The bubbling you see is normal; it means the vinegar is doing its job. If the shower head can't be removed, fill a plastic sandwich bag with vinegar and wrap it around the shower head. Secure tightly with a rubber band and allow it to stay overnight. Afterward, use an old toothbrush to scrub away gunk, then poke a toothpick through the holes to clear them.

Did you know that you can use white or cider vinegar for many jobs around the house? Vinegar is a favorite because it is inexpensive and can do a multitude of cleaning chores, so stock up on it. To receive a six-page vinegar pamphlet, please send $4 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (60 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Black ring in the toilet bowl? Pour in 3-4 cups of vinegar, let sit an hour and scrub away. Also, do you know where 10 percent of the vinegar made goes? The production of ketchup! -- Heloise

Dear Heloise: Packing luggage for a long vacation? Pack your luggage on your ironing board at waist level. It saves a lot of bending over if you have a bad back. -- Peg Rogers, Chapel Hill, N.C.

Dear Heloise: One of my favorite foods is chicken cheese rolls. My mother has made them since I was a kid, and they are delicious! You take chicken breasts and pound them as flat as you can. Then halve them and put 2 tablespoons of cream cheese and a pat of butter on each half. Top with chopped green onion, then roll the chicken halves in bacon. Bake until the chicken is fully cooked. The cheese melts and the bacon browns -- it's delicious! -- Tif, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: Several local stores give out business cards on magnets, but none of the cards is from a place I usually call. I had plain cards from the places I do need to call. So, I bought stick-on magnets at an office-supply store and made magnets out of the cards from the dentist, doctor, vet, hairdresser, plumber, etc. Now I have them on my fridge, and when I make an appointment, I use the card to pin a note to the fridge. The magnets came in packs of 25, so there were enough for both my sister and me. -- Judythe Samter, Thayer, Ind.

Dear Heloise: I found that my feet slid around in sandals I bought. I almost got rid of them but had some leftover bath appliquès and cut one to fit under my foot on the shoe, and voilá -- no more slip. -- Gina in Indiana

©2005 by King Features Syndicate Inc.