Dear Heloise: Some time ago, and I think it was in your column, there was a procedure to clean gold jewelry to shine like new again.
I definitely could use this hint. So, if you could reprint it, it would be appreciated. —Margaret C. Karda, Newport Beach, Calif.
There is an easy way to clean gold and diamond jewelry right at home. Just mix equal parts of water and sudsy ammonia in a small container, like a glass jar with a lid.
Warning: This cleaning solution cannot be used on turquoise, amber, pearls, coral, malachite, jade, lapis lazuli and opals or any "soft" stones.
Drop in your jewelry and let it soak for a few minutes, then use a soft-bristled brush to gently brush away stubborn dirt. Rinse well and dry with a soft cloth, or drop into some rubbing alcohol, then buff to a shine.
Be sure to label the mixture, and remember, when it gets cloudy or dirty, use it to clean the sink. —Heloise
Dear Heloise: For many years, I used to blow the hair clippings out of my electric shavers by holding the shaver head up to my lips and blowing. But this lets the bits of hair clippings fly all over the bathroom basin.
I now use a baby's ear syringe as a small bellows to direct high-pressure air flow onto the shaver and its heads. This directs the clippings into the basin bowl. It is easier to rinse the bowl afterward, and much easier to be sure I get into the corners of the cutters and the shaver heads. —H.F., Manhattan Beach, Calif.
Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 210-HELOISE (435-6473) or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
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