What to know about buying homeowners insurance

Dear Readers: When you are buying a home, getting the right insurance is important, so take time to research your options. Become informed about what you will need to protect your home. First, go online for information. Talk with friends and family members to see what insurance they have. Then contact your agent. It's always a good idea to shop around. Get estimates for several different insurance companies, so you will have a basis of comparison before you make your decision. If you have any remaining questions, you can go to the Insurance Information Institute's website at www.iii.org. -- Heloise

Microfiber Cloths

Dear Readers: Microfiber cloths are essential and effective cleaning tools that we use almost daily in our houses. And, of course, they do get dirty and need to be cleaned. Here's how to clean them: Machine wash in warm, soapy water, but not with towels or anything that gives off lint. Do not use chlorine bleach or fabric softener with these cloths, because they will damage the cloths. Always dry on low heat or air-dry. Never iron, because microfiber will melt at high heat. -- Heloise

What Your Trash Reveals

Dear Readers: When you are gathering items for the trash, be aware of what you are going to put into garbage bags and then place into trash cans outside your home. People can access trash before it's picked up. So think about what someone could find out about your family, such as financial, personal or medical information. Use these hints to prevent identity theft. Take off the labels of medicine bottles before you put empty ones in the trash, so your medical/health care information cannot be accessed. Cut up or shred copies of your bills, so people cannot access credit card numbers or other data. -- Heloise

Using Old Newspapers

Dear Heloise: Being a car guy all of my life, I was introduced at a young age to using newspaper to clean the glass on my automobiles. Prepping hot rods for a car show involves thorough attention to the details because of the high standards of judging. Using newspaper with your favorite window cleaner gets rid of pesky water spots and leaves any kind of glass (and mirrors) with a clean and clear finish. -- Chuck Kuentz Bulverde, Texas

Dents In Hardwood Floors

Dear Readers: When you notice that furniture or chair legs are damaging beautiful hardwood floors, here are two hints on how to lessen the damage or prevent it from happening in the future. Fill those existing dents with clear nail polish or shellac. To prevent more dents, put adhesive-backed moleskin on the bottom of the chair legs. Periodically check the furniture to be sure that the nail polish is still doing its job and that moleskins are still on the chair legs. -- Heloise

Repurpose Old Bedsheets

Dear Readers: When bed sheets get old or worn, don't throw them out. Instead, wash and then reuse them in other ways in your home, such as tents for a child's rainy day, a tablecloth for picnics, making costumes or as dust covers for furniture. -- Heloise

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to [email protected]. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.

King Features Syndicate

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