Dear Heloise: For the past 23 years, we have set shampoo and conditioner bottles on the marble seat of our shower in the same corner. A ring shows where each bottle sits, and we have never been able to remove them. I believe it is caused by the oils in the shampoo and conditioner that remain on the bottle after being handled. It simply leaks to the bottom of the bottle after the shower.

I have tried baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine bleach and biodegradable cleaners. Nothing has worked. Do you have a suggestion?

— Roger R., A Faithful Reader

Roger, mix together baking soda and water until you have a thick paste, then apply this to the affected area and cover it with a plastic wrap. Wait at least 24 hours so that the baking soda can draw out the oils, then rinse the affected area and dry it thoroughly with a microfiber cloth or a very soft towel.

If the stains have been there a long time, you might have to go to a shop or a professional cleaning company to see what they suggest.

— Heloise

SPRAY-PAINT CLOGS

Dear Heloise: Do you or any of your many readers have a tip on canned spray-paint clogs? Every time I pull a partially used can out to spray-paint something, I end up spending time with toothpicks and straight pins trying to get the paint to come out!

Thanks in advance! I read your column daily in the Springfield News-Sun.

— Charlie M., via email

Charlie, to unclog the can of spray paint, you need to remove the nozzle if the nozzle is removable, then soak it in either a paint thinner or mineral spirits. Let it soak for about 24 hours.

If you don’t have either of these things, you might want to use acetone (nail polish remover). Next, take a very thin needle, such as a sewing needle, and try to get all the dried paint out of the tube. Some people prefer to soak the can in hot water to open up the clogged nozzle.

— Heloise

PAINTBRUSH care

Dear Heloise: When I wash my paintbrushes after painting, I “shampoo” them with a dish detergent, then “condition” them using a hair conditioner. Afterward, I rinse them really well and let them dry. I’ve been using the same brushes for years.

— J.N., via email

MAYONNAISE HINT

Dear Heloise: I have a kitchen hint. Mayonnaise now comes in squeeze bottles, which are great for making sandwiches. However, it’s difficult to get the last few teaspoons out. So, I add just a splash or two of buttermilk to the bottle. It gets all of the mayo out of the bottle or jar and still keeps it tasting delicious! Hope you like my hint.

— B., in Washington

MISSING SCREWDRIVER

Dear Heloise: The other day, I needed to tighten a screw in our screen door and couldn’t find a screwdriver in the house. Finally, I used the tip of a pair of scissors, and it worked perfectly!

— L.W., in South Dakota

L.W., I had the same problem one time, and I used a dime to tighten a screw. Readers have written about using the tip of a dinner knife, a vegetable peeler, and a pair of tweezers. Thanks for the hint!

— Heloise