Dear Heloise: Robert L.B., in Vermont, wrote about a ceramic wax cleaner that was newer and awesome, but he didn’t give the name of the product. I would like to know what it is. Thank you! — T.K., in Nebraska

T.K., the author of the letter did not mention the name. However, you can type in “ceramic wax” online and see if there is one that you can order. Or you can ask an antique dealer or a store that sells ceramics what they recommend. — Heloise

THE LAST STRAW

Dear Heloise: Regarding the person reusing straws, do you think if you put them in the dishwasher to clean them that the inside of the straw is going to be washed and clean? All kinds of germs will stay inside the straw. Plus, most dishwashers will melt the straw in the drying cycle. Best regards! — D.M., in Texas

D.M., they now make metal straws, and I’ve bought heavy-duty straws made from thick plastic. You might be able to find them in a grocery store or online. To clean them, just soak them in an oblong dish of warm, soapy water, then run warm water through each straw.

Should you sterilize the straws? No. However, they will be clean this way. — Heloise

A COUPLE OF HINTS

Dear Heloise: I wanted to add a couple additional thoughts on cracked/dry hands and straws:

My manicurist says rubbing olive oil into your hands, especially at bedtime, is the best thing to use.

I save used straws for flower beds and pots to stake up plants. I especially like the green ones from my favorite coffee shop.

Speaking of coffee, I’m still waiting to see additional uses for used coffee grounds. My coffee shop also offers their used grounds and nicely packages them. — Susi E., in Oklahoma

Susi, a reader wrote in recently about his uses for coffee grounds. Here it is:

COFFEE GROUND USES

Dear Heloise: Every year, I had problems with ticks and fleas until a neighbor gave me a simple trick that actually worked. He told me to sprinkle coffee grounds all over my yard.  It can be fresh or used grounds. I saved used coffee grounds in a plastic bag until I asked the owner of a local coffee shop to let me have his used grounds. He’d dump them in a plastic grocery bag, which I would pick up a couple of times a week.

I’ve found that my ticks and fleas vanished once I started doing this early on every spring. I usually do it every other month now, and I still don’t have those disease-carrying little pests. — Jason F., in Houston

PULLED PORK MADE EASY

Dear Heloise: My family loves pulled pork sandwiches, but needless to say, it’s a lot of work. Finally, one day, my daughter-in-law was here and told me to put my new stand mixer to use by having the beater shred the pork. I just take the standard beater, and after the pork is cooked, I place it inside of a large metal bowl. In only a few minutes, I had shredded pork! What a clever idea! — S.P., in Michigan

REUSING OLD PAINT ­THINNER

Dear Heloise: When I clean oil-based paints at home with paint thinner, I use thinner from a gallon can that is labeled “dirty.” I reuse the dirty thinner over and over again to clean my brushes. It may be dirty, but it is still thinner and does the job. Why waste money on new thinner? — J.B., via email

— — —

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.