Dear Heloise: I have a chest of drawers that is a family heirloom. My great-grandfather made it by hand as a wedding gift for my grandmother. It’s really beautiful, and I’m proud to have it in my home office. The only problem is that all of the drawers seem to stick together, and it’s become difficult to move drawers in and out.

What should I do to make the drawers move with ease as they once did?

— A.M., in Kentucky

A.M., take a wax candle and rub it along both sides of the runners, which are located in the middle on the underside of the bottom of each drawer. Also, run candle wax along the bottom edges of each drawer. This will help keep your drawers from sticking together.

— Heloise

KILLING GARBAGE ODORS

Dear Heloise: My trash can smells awful! For a few years now, it’s sat in the hot Texas sun, and the smell of garbage just seems to be soaked up by the heat. How can I get rid of trash can odors?

— K.A., in Texas

Kelly, take one or two slices of bread and soak them in vinegar. After they are completely soaked, place them on a paper towel and put them in the bottom of your empty trash can. Leave them there overnight, and the next morning, you can remove them. This should help kill the odor.

— Heloise

LOUISIANA SPICES

Dear Heloise: My wife is from New Orleans and loves to cook. Her dishes are absolutely delicious, but the odor of her cooking can and does last for days afterward. I can be sitting in the living room and still smell dinner from two days ago. How can we get rid of those delicious southern spices?

— F.R., in Pennsylvania

F.R., scented candles can help, but so can taking a fresh furnace filter and adding a few drops of essential oils to the top side of the filter. Then just place it back in the furnace.

When the furnace turns on with heat or cool air, the scent of essential oils will fill the whole house.

— Heloise

BLACK MOLD ON BATH MAT

Dear Heloise: I have black mold growing on my plastic bath mat. I put it out in the sun in hopes of killing the mold, but I swear it just seemed to make the mold grow! How can I get rid of the black mold?

— L.D., in Mississippi

L.D., your bath mat can be washed in your washing machine using hot water, your regular laundry soap, and 1 cup of bleach. If you have white towels or a washable throw rug, you can also toss these in for a little friction. Let the bath mat dry naturally on the patio or hang it over the shower curtain rod.

— Heloise

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