Trending
DEAR HELOISE: Pets in hotel rooms are such a problem. I had to give up staying in hotels due to this reason. Not everyone can use medication to overcome this. Hotels, please create rooms without carpets! A famous hotel brand claimed to have the flooring technology to make solid flooring work over a decade ago. This would make carpets, which harbor allergens of all kinds, no longer necessary for noise dampening.
-- Laura B., in Hudson, New Hampshire
Larura, this is a terrific idea! I recommend that you write to the CEO of a few hotel chains and suggest that they try this out. There are thousands of travelers who have allergies, so all the front desk clerk has to ask is whether a client wants carpeting. It might be a profitable marketing strategy.
-- Heloise
DEAR HELOISE: I've been reading your most helpful column daily for over 80 years in the Republican-American in Waterbury, Connecticut. I have a question for you: How can you easily open childproof packaging to remove a single battery from a hearing-aid package?
I appreciate that these are packaged to prevent a child from getting to a battery, as they can be deadly if a child or animal swallows one. For us elderly folks, we're likely to be injured while opening a package. Any solutions would be most appreciated.
-- Betsy B., via email
Betsy, this is a great question. Readers, I'm open to your hints on this matter. Opening childproof packaging has made using various products nearly impossible for many people. I often wonder if manufacturers realize that people won't complain about struggling to open a package; they'll just change brands. This results in lost sales and lost profits.
-- Heloise
DEAR HELOISE: I save my cereal box bags and reuse them. They're excellent if I need to flatten chicken breasts, and they can serve as great marinade containers. They're also good for other dry-storage goods or as containers for ripening tomatoes or fruit on the counter.
-- William F., via email
DEAR HELOISE: How can I get my vinyl floors clean? They have a grain pattern to them, and it's hard to get them really clean. They always look dirty. Thank you!
-- Amee, in San Dimas, California
Amee, first, vacuum the floor on a low setting. Next, use a pH-neutral floor cleaner, mopping in the direction of the pattern or the planks. Do not use steel wool or harsh chemicals on your floor. Do not use a steam mop because the steam can cause the vinyl to warp.
Most vinyl floors today are given a shiny coat, so waxing will cause an uneven wax buildup. After mopping, you might want to use a soft fabric to dry the floor. Do not leave any puddles of water.
-- Heloise
TAKING VITAMINS
Dear Heloise: Are vitamins really good for us to take? — Gigi L., in Tyler, Texas
Gigi, the best person to ask would be your doctor. Some people feel like they're better off by taking vitamins, while others say that they're unnecessary. But this is a question that only a qualified physician can answer after an examination. — Heloise
(c)2026 by King Features Syndicate Inc.