Dear Heloise: As an avid garage saler — or treasure hunter, as I prefer — I have a hint for those putting on a sale. Please put the address at the top of your sign in big-enough letters and numbers so that it can be read from a passing car.
Next, you need the date, so that people can know that it is a current sign, and last, the words "garage sale." Some people cut a poster board in quarters and then try to write too much information on it. I don't need that much information! If I can just find you, I will see what all you have for sale. And finally, be a good citizen and remove the sign as soon as the sale is over so it doesn't become clutter and trash on the roadway. It is very annoying to go several blocks out of my way only to find that a sign was left from last week and the person giving the sale just didn't bother to take it down. — Faye, Troup, Texas
Faye, we get complaints about garage-sale signs being left up all the time. Let's hope everyone reads this and follows your advice. Please note that many communities issue permits for garage sales, so be sure to check before posting signs. — Heloise
P.S. Take Faye's advice — use black marker and print large!
Dear Heloise:My husband found a rectangular bird feeder with a barnlike roof. There was no hanger attached, and his attempt to hang it with twine didn't work well. I took two wire clothes hangers and slipped each side of the roof into one of the hangers. With the hooks of the hangers facing opposite directions, it gave the feeder the balance and stability it needed. We love watching the birds outside our sunroom window! — Audrey B., Statesville, N.C.
Dear Heloise:While traveling in Singapore, I wanted to wash out a few pairs of nylons but was without washing soap. I decided to use the complimentary shampoo provided by the hotel. I also had a T-shirt that had a stain on the front of it. I used the shampoo on the stain, and it came right out. Now, I use cheap shampoo as my primary spot remover in the laundry. It is formulated to cut grease and oil, and I have found that it makes an excellent spot remover. — Linda Lohman, Sacramento, Calif.
Dear Heloise: I don't discard the used toilet-paper and paper-towel tubes. They make handy holders for wound-up electrical cords from irons, a curling iron, hair dryer, etc. Works great! — Anita F. Eisenstein, Columbus, Ohio
Dear Heloise:While visiting our county courthouse, I noticed the janitor removing scuff marks from a hardwood floor with just a tennis ball. I tried it at home and was amazed at how well it worked! — Jack C., Sea Girt, N.J.
Send a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; fax: 210-435-6473; e-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com © King Features Syndicate Inc.