Dear Heloise: The person who wrote in about putting baby oil on microwave hinges had a great idea. You can use a syringe with the oil in it to do this kind of job. There are also things called “needle oilers” that have lightweight oil in them and a very small metal, needle-like tube on the end that works good for getting into small, tight places.
Don’t ever try to work on a microwave oven if you don’t know how! There are very high voltages in there around the magnetron tube. I once had a door latch break and I found a company that had the parts. They were reluctant to sell me the parts to fix it until I showed proof that I did this kind of work.
I also have a microwave leak detector to ensure that none of the harmful microwaves would leak out the door. Those waves can harmful to people, which is why the inside of a microwave is a ferrite cavity. The microwaves are contained within the unit.
— D. Hansel, in Houston
OPENING JARS
Dear Heloise: If you have trouble opening jars, a pair of rubber strap wrenches are very helpful. Use one to turn the jar clockwise and the other to turn the lid counterclockwise. Hold the jar down with your chin so that it doesn’t go flying when the lid releases. These wrenches are available online and at hardware stores.
— R.S., Charlottesville, Virginia
MEDICARE AND LYMPHEDEMA
Dear Heloise: In the past, Medicare has covered physical therapy for someone with lymphedema. Starting this year, Medicare now covers compression garments at no charge when prescribed by a doctor. Medicare recipients are eligible for three sets of garments every six months at no cost to the patient. In my case, that’s three pairs of compression stockings every six months. Others might need compression sleeves or wraps. Thanks for letting people know!
— Pat S., in Fort Wayne, Indiana
PLASTIC CLOTHING BAGS
Dear Heloise: Whenever I get clear plastic clothing bags from department stores or the cleaners, I fold them up and place them in one of three plastic bags that are labeled either 36-inch, 50-inch or 72-inch. I then use these bags to put my patio cushions in for the winter and store them in the garage so when I want to get these items out, the items are clean. I also store my monthly front door floral arrangements in these bags, although clear bags don’t prevent the fading of the flowers as much. In addition, I keep smaller but heavier plastic bags in my suitcase so that I can pack dirty clothes in them.
— Marilyn Burres, via email
DRYER FILTER CLEANING
Dear Heloise: To clean the pull-out screen filter on my dryer, I have always use a dryer softener sheet that has already been thrown in the dryer. It takes the lint right off.
— Mary Goodenough, Camarillo
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