DEAR HELOISE: To open a bottle of nail polish that’s stuck, place a cup of water in the microwave for 1 minute. Then remove the cup from the microwave and place the bottle inside of the cup. Wait about a minute and remove. Presto!

•Marty R., via email

DEAR HELOISE: We wear shirts made of T-shirt material every day in our family. Yet, after a short while, they end up with tiny holes in the stomach area. Male or female, belt or no belt, it doesn’t matter; these tiny holes suddenly appear. Any idea where they come from?

• Monica T., via email

Monica, the tiny holes are usually caused by a lower quality of fabric, from rubbing against a hard surface (such as the button on a pair of jeans), or from standing against a hard stone surface. Generally speaking, they are most often found around the belly button region.

• Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: The best remedy for scaly shower doors is prevention. For years, after every shower, I’ve sprayed my shower doors with this concoction, and they look like they did on the day they were installed:

● 3 cups water

● 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol

● 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide

● 1 tablespoon dishwasher rinse aid

● 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid.

• Martha C.,

in Sapulpa, Oklahoma

DEAR HELOISE: In response to your asking if any readers had a special trick for opening nail polish bottles that get stuck, I avoid this problem when I buy a new bottle. I put a layer of petroleum jelly on the threads. It’s easy to open this way!

• Toni M., via email

Toni, this is a good idea. Did you know that placing a thin layer of petroleum on the threads of a light bulb will also make it a little easier to remove when the light burns out?

• Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: When I open my dishwasher, it has a nasty smell. Is there a good way to remove it?

• L.W.,

in Richmond, Virginia

L.W., this is a sign that bacteria has started to build up in your dishwasher. The best way to get rid of the odor is to use a commercial dishwater tablet designed to clean out the “gunk” that has built up in the dishwasher’s drain and inner workings. You can probably pick up a box of these tablets or powder in your local grocery store.

• Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: This may sound weird, but I have a problem with a constantly runny nose. So, unfortunately, I can end up using a lot of tissues. Having a number of old T-shirts etc that I saved to use as rags, I realized that I could also cut them up and use them as hankies.

• Louise W., via email