Dear Readers: Here are some helpful hints to keep soap scum and hard-water stains off your shower head and door. Drying shower doors after every shower is a great idea, but over time, nasty hard-water stains and soap scum still might appear. The best way to get rid of them? White household vinegar!

• Just fill a spray bottle with vinegar and keep it handy. When you see that familiar haze start to form, spray and scrub with a soft-bristled brush or plastic scrubbie. Rinse with water, and your doors will shine.

• There is no need to take down the shower head when it has a buildup from hard water. Fill a large plastic bag with vinegar and lift the bag up so the shower head is submerged. Then use a rubber band to secure the bag in place. Leave it there for a few hours or overnight. For stubborn clogs, try using a straight pin to loosen the buildup. Vinegar is my favorite cleaner! It is so versatile and has a zillion uses. Need to clean the coffeepot, deodorize the dishcloth or make a kitchen drain smell fresh? Send for a copy of my six-page pamphlet by mailing $4 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (63 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. — Heloise

Dear Heloise: Whenever I am traveling, I always pack an extra, empty tote bag. This way I always have room for souvenirs or other items I purchase. Sometimes, if I don't have a bag handy, I just buy one at a store where I am shopping. This works really well for me. — Marian R. in Tennessee

Dear Heloise: I have a front-loading washing machine. It is difficult to leave the door ajar when not in use, as it tends to open wider than is safe. To keep the door open a bit to allow for air circulation, I hot-glued two 1-inch tabs of hook-and-loop tape to the front — one on the door and one on the body of the washing machine — lining them up. I then cut a strip of tape to the desired length to keep the door open just a few inches. I hooked the loops, and now the door stays just where I want it, and I avoid a safety hazard with a fully open door. — Mary Lou Sperry, Midland, Mich.

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