Hints from Heloise: Using a sock as a dust rag and more ...

USING SOCKS AS A DUST RAG

Dear Heloise: With four boys in my home, we go through a lot of athletic socks. If one sock gets lost or develops a hole, it becomes a dust rag. But when I’m dusting, I never spray the furniture; I spray the sock and then apply the polish or cleaner on the furniture. This prevents overspraying or spraying the rest of the furniture. -- Lana D., in Peabody, Massachusetts

HANDY TOOLS

Dear Heloise: I think we all appreciate the now-common practice of items that need to be assembled coming with small, throwaway tools to assemble the product, which is usually furniture. I recently ordered a framed picture, and I was happily surprised that it came with an inch-long round level. What a great idea that should become common practice! Thanks for your great column. -- To