Brick surfaces can be tricky to clean

Dear Heloise: How do I get wax off of my brick fireplace? I have tried heat, scrubbing and a household cleaner. Help! —Janet Anderson, Garden Ridge, Texas

Janet, we took your question to a brick manufacturer, which said the first thing it would need to know is the color, type of brick and even the age to determine the best cleaning method. A note: Textured brick is harder to clean than smooth.

It is a good idea to check with a brick manufacturer or supplier in your area, which should be able to help you.

Keep in mind that the brick might have absorbed some of the color from the wax itself, and that might prove to be hard to completely remove.

Also, older brick might be more fragile or softer, and powerful cleaning might damage it. Before trying any cleaning solution, test on a small area first to make sure that more damage won't be done. Good luck! —Heloise

P.S. A hint from the Brick Industry Association: Don't use acid solutions to clean light-colored brick, because it could cause greenish stains.

Dear Heloise: After a lifetime of never being able to find a button to match a garment, I found an easy way to ensure that it is always with the garment. I just take a small safety pin (I keep a good supply of all sizes) and pin that extra button to an inside seam. —Marge, New Caney, Texas

Dear Heloise: Whenever we travel, I only carry one credit card and a small amount of money. My husband carries the other card and some of the cash. This way, if one of us falls victim to loss or theft, the other one will still have a card and some money. —Delores in Arizona

Delores, this is called "splitting the risk" and indeed is a very good travel hint. Travel safely! —Heloise

Dear Heloise: I read the hint about having bridal-shower guests address their own thank-you-note envelopes. I agree that it is not in very good taste.

My hint would be to have everyone address an index card (include phone number and e-mail address) and give it to the bride-to-be, and she can put it in a cute index box and have a great "address book."

When someone moves or has a phone-number change, she can throw out the old card and start a new one. It always stays neat and updated! —Sharon Koontz, Via Fax

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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.