Dear Heloise: I have a pair of dressy flats in a sort of silvery-black color. I noticed that they had become scuffed and looked worn, with some of the color getting muted. It occurred to me to try putting some petroleum jelly on them. I was astounded at the difference! They were almost as good as new — no black polish needed! — K.G., in California

HIDDEN DRAWER PANELS

Dear Heloise: I had an important document that I needed to keep handy, so I put it on top of a pile of papers in my long desktop drawer. Minutes later, I went to retrieve it, but it was missing — simply gone!

It took me a bit to figure out that it must have slipped over the back of the drawer and, of course, landed on the floor. But it was not there either! This desk drawer, unlike many, had a panel under it where things could get lost forever. Unfortunately, the whole drawer had to be removed to get underneath it.

Now that I’m aware of this panel, I’m on a quest to check under similar drawers in the house. Who knows what treasures are going to be found! — A Reader, via email

PAPER GROCERY BAGS

Dear Heloise: Plastic grocery bags have been found in some of the deepest parts of the ocean and even on mountaintops. It’s becoming a real problem for this planet! To help this rock we call Earth, let’s ask for paper bags and insist that stores give us paper instead of plastic.

In the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, stores usually gave customers paper bags that could be reused to carry trash out or other items. Let’s get away from this plastic bag use. — C.W., in New Jersey

MEDICATION ­PRECAUTIONS

Dear Heloise: As a pharmacist, I’m very much aware of the hazards of medications that get left in medicine cabinets. Here are a few hints to keep in mind when you’re cleaning out old or used medications:

— If the label is peeled off the bottle or box, toss it in the wastebasket.

— Never flush medication down the toilet. When in doubt about what to do, call a local pharmacy and ask them what the state recommends.

— If the medication is more than 2 years old, please discard it.

— Never give your medications to anyone else. If they have a bad reaction to the medication, you could find yourself on the wrong side of the law.

— Discard any liquid medication that has separated.

— Does your aspirin smell like vinegar? If so, discard it!

— Keep all medication in a cool, dark place with very low humidity.

— Always take medications as ordered by your doctor. When in doubt about how or when to take your meds, just call your doctor’s office and ask. — D.S., in Illinois

CANDLE REMINDER

Dear Readers: The holidays are just around the corner, and most people like to light candles to set the holiday mood or drown out other odors. If you have candles lit at home, be sure to extinguish all of them before you leave the house or go to sleep. — Heloise

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Hints from Heloise run occasionally in Lifestyles. Readers may send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE, or email: Heloise@Heloise.com. Letters won’t be answered personally.