DEAR HELOISE: I’m a retired senior citizen who became a widower about five years ago. It didn’t take me long to realize that I was a complete novice around the house, especially in the kitchen. Then I recalled that my wife often mentioned hints from your column, and this led to my becoming an avid fan of yours.

I have used many of the hints you’ve published, and most were a godsend, with very few being less than expected. On rare occasions, there have been hints you have published that, in my mind, seem slightly unusual. This leads me to ask if you or your staff research, validate or test the hints that you publish. Please keep your hints coming!

• Tom F., in Los Angeles

Tom, we research a great many answers, and we even cook some of the recipes that people have sent in. There are oftentimes a great number of answers to various questions, such as how to get rid of cockroaches or how to remove certain stains. I have published several books on household hints, cooking and many other questions from readers, some of which go back as far as the 1950s.

From all of us here at Heloise Central, thank you for being an avid reader.

• Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: I read your column every day in the local paper here in Ventura County, California. My hint is regarding weak and split /layering fingernails. I tried so many products to help with this situation, some being very expensive.

The solution that really works is simple: olive oil! I put a few drops on my nails as often as I can after they have been in water, rubbing it around my nails and getting it under the nails.

After a few weeks, my nails became strong and healthy without splitting. Better than any “cure” on the market at any cost!

• Lorraine, via email

DEAR HELOISE: I have seen several hints regarding cellphone calls in your column lately. Readers note that they set their smartphones to silently notify them if a call comes in from a number that isn’t in their contact list. They are assuming that if it’s important, the caller will leave a voicemail.

My concern with this train of thought is that if it is an emergency call from a family member or friend, they could be calling from a phone that isn’t in your contact list. If the call is silenced, you won’t hear the notification right away. Hopefully you have voicemail notifications that are audible! I would be devastated if I missed an emergency call from someone important to me.

I don’t answer calls that aren’t in my contact list, but I do hear the call coming in and watch to see if voicemail is left. This way, there is no delay in me getting an emergency message.

• M.E.G., in Houghton, Michigan

CLEANING PLANTS

Dear Heloise: My mother always had the most beautiful indoor plants I’ve ever seen. I asked her how she made the leaves on her plants look so shiny and nice. She said she took warm milk and a cotton ball to clean each leaf, then patted each leaf dry. She also warned me about over watering my indoor plants. She watered hers about once a week.

Just thought I’d let you know! I love reading your hints in the San Antonio Express-News in Texas. In fact, my mother taught me to read through your column. Later, when I got better at reading, I would read aloud “Hints From Heloise” to her while she made dinner or ironed. — Enid M., in San Antonio