DEAR HELOISE: How do I get lipstick out of my favorite T-shirt?

• Kay E., in Frankfort, Kentucky

Kay, rub the area with cold cream or shortening. Afterward, place a few drops of dish washing liquid on the area and let soap rest there for 10 minutes. Next, hand wash with club soda. There are also stain-removing cloths that are commercially sold and usually found in the laundry detergent section of your grocery store.

• Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: I love my two dogs, but I’m distressed when they have fleas. I have them bathed with flea shampoo, but fleas always return. Is there any way to keep the fleas away and/or stop them from infesting my sweet doggies?

• Steven F., in Mississippi

Steven, as a dog owner myself, I can relate to this problem. There are a few things you can try:

● Pennyroyal oil, which is usually found wherever essential oils are sold, works well enough. Ticks and fleas hate this oil. Place a few drops under the dog’s collar and a few near its tail. Then place a little on your hands, rub them together, then work your hands all down the dog’s back and chest.

● Sew a tube made of very thin material, then stuff it with crushed tansy and catnip or eucalyptus and small, thin shavings of cedar wood. Sew up both ends and tie this around your dogs neck. (Not too tight!) Each day, pinch the contents of the cloth collar with your fingertips to activate the scent of the herbs. This usually works for up to two months.

● If you are building a doghouse, use cedar for the floor and roof. You can make a pillow for your dog with cedar shavings or cedar sawdust for added protection from fleas. Every so often, take a piece of sandpaper and rub the cedar floor with it to activate the oils in the wood.

• Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: In response to the person who answered her phone every time it rang, she can go to her settings and scroll to the “phone” tab. Go to “screen unknown callers” and check “silence.” She will only get calls from her contacts this way. Other calls will be visible, and she can return them only if she chooses. I take this feature off if I’m expecting a call from a doctor or an appliance delivery.

• Jenny R., via email

Jenny, there is a serious problem with this method. A new doctor or pharmacy might try to contact someone who forgot to add these numbers to their contact list. People get new phone numbers all the time and might not be able to call a friend to let them know that they changed phone numbers.

• Heloise

AN ACT OF KINDNESS

Dear Heloise: We use heated water dish for dogs in the winter and set it in the bird bath. The birds, squirrels and deer use it all winter. — Marsha, in Iowa

Marsha, this is a very thoughtful thing to do. We sometimes forget that animals need water in the winter months as well as in the heat of summer. — Heloise

ONION TEARS

Dear Heloise: Here’s another tip for avoiding tears when chopping onions: Just stand at arm’s length while you’re chopping. — Carole F., via email

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