Dear Heloise: How should I clean oven racks? I remember something about hot water and ammonia in a large garbage bag. Can you help me? — Hope, via e-mail
Cleaning those dirty oven racks is quite easy, but please check your oven manual first for the cleaning directions the manufacturer suggests. Or you can use the following easy cleaning method:
1. Place the racks in a large, heavy-duty plastic garbage bag.
2. Pour about 1/4 cup of household sudsy ammonia into the bag and seal it with a twist-tie.
3. Put the bag out of the way of children and pets — somewhere it can be left to sit overnight safely.
4. Open the bag in a well-ventilated area, because the ammonia fumes will be strong. (CAUTION: Open the bag away from your face!) Put on rubber gloves, remove the racks, lay them on some newspaper and scrub them clean with a stiff brush.
5. Rinse very well and let air-dry.
Those oven racks should be sparkling-clean once again! And remember, clean up spills in the oven as soon as possible to keep the oven and racks in tiptop shape. — Heloise
Dear Heloise: I accidentally dropped a glass bottle on a cement stepping-stone inlaid with small rocks. After carefully picking up the larger pieces, I got out the masking tape. The sticky side was perfect for picking up the tiny shards. Mission accomplished, with no cut fingers. — Arlene Louden, Laguna Beach, Calif.
Dear Heloise: My 11-year-old daughter was playing with a gallon-size self-sealing plastic bag. She filled it with air and sealed it. She then held it up and said: "Hey, Mom, look! I made a pillow." The quality bag held the air, even with me pushing down on it. That made me think of camping and backpacking, where a gallon-size plastic bag could be an emergency or easily packed pillow!
If covered with a T-shirt or some other fabric, the plastic is more comfortable to the touch. It takes up no room at all in a backpack and can be used for storage during the day as well. We let out a little air to make it softer — you can adjust it to your own comfort level.
I hope this is a new one — my daughter would be thrilled! — Mary Beth and Shaun Stearns, via e-mail
Tested, tried and loved! Tell your daughter she is one smart girl. Hugs. — Heloise
Send a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; Fax: 210-HELOISE; E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com. © King Features Syndicate Inc.