Dear Heloise:

I am interested in getting rust off garden tools. I think you can use vinegar. Do you have a solution?

Jacquelin L., Short Hills, N.J.

You're right - the answer is my beloved vinegar! Small garden tools, like clippers, can be placed in undiluted white or apple-cider vinegar overnight or longer. Let soak, scrub with a brush or scrubbie, rinse and then dry. For larger tools, you can take vinegar-soaked rags or towels, wrap them around the rusty areas and then cover with plastic wrap.


Dear Readers:

It's inevitable: Jeans get holes, skirts may become too short, and seams fall apart. When your favorites need a patch-up, try something different! Repairs and fix-ups are a great time for using embellishment, creative stitching and fabulous fabrics or remnants. Add fabric trim to a short skirt, or leftover pieces to cover holes in jeans. Spiff up your wardrobe while saving money!

