Dear Heloise: I live in a waterfront home on a lake, and I have a large dock on the water. During the summer, we get hundreds of spiders on the ceiling and walls of the structure. Where there are spiders, there’s poop and black spots that are difficult to remove. But no more! I mix a 1/3 cup of ammonia and 2/3 cup of water in a spray bottle. As soon as the spray hits the poop, it dissolves. Then I just spray it again with a hose, and it’s clean as ever!

— Susan on Lake Anna, in Orange, Virginia

WEED KILLER

Dear Heloise: To kill weeds, just add salt to some vinegar. This will do the trick and kill the root.

— Morris V., Alhambra

Morris, be sure you don’t spray anything in your yard that you want to grow.

— Heloise

CERAMIC WAX CLEANER

Dear Heloise: Having worked as an auto detailer when I was teenager, I’ve always paid attention to products on the market to make detailing easier and make my car look even more beautiful.

I read a letter in your column where a reader contacted a company about using a ceramic cleaner that was intended for cooktops, but the company advised against using it on dishware and other items. For the past three or four years, I’ve been using a newer product that is a ceramic wax for your vehicle and leads to a nice water-repellent finish that shines like crazy.

While I wouldn’t use it on dishes, I have used it on everything in my house and all of my sinks. Stainless steel appliances, countertops, my glass range top, and even my fiberglass stall shower and molded bathtub. A word of caution: Never use it on any floors, or you’ll be skating around like Dorothy Hamill! But it even works on windows without leaving streaks. There really are endless uses for this product.

It is extremely easy to apply and does not leave any white residue like other stovetop cleaners and waxes. It also helps not to have 10 different types of cleaners in your cupboards.

I enjoy your column very much and have far too many tips to share, but this is one of my favorites.

— Robert L.B., in Vermont

PETROLEUM JELLY USES

Dear Heloise: Earlier today, my handyman told me that when I replace a light bulb, I should rub a little petroleum jelly on the threads to make it easier to install and remove. I also found this useful for nail polish bottles where the cap is difficult to remove.

— Diane W., Hillsboro, Oregon

SKINCARE ROUTINES

Dear Heloise: As a dermatologist, I see a lot of people who are careless about keeping their skin clean. Don’t use an oil or a face cream to remove anything but the most difficult eye makeup. Otherwise, just use mild soap and water, and wash your face only using the pads of your fingers in a gentle, circular motion. Rinse well. (Don’t use a washcloth or anything abrasive on your face.) Your skin needs water.

Pat your face dry, and while your skin is still in a dewy state, use moisturizer that is suited to your skin type. Don’t forget your neck when applying the moisturizer.

— A., in Los Angeles

Send a great hint to Heloise@Heloise.com.