Removing calcium-scale deposits

Dear Heloise: I’m hoping you can help with my problem. My shower door frame has calcium scale in places, and the popular calcium and lime spray remover says not to use it on anodized aluminum. Do you have any hints on how to remove these deposits without doing any damage? Thank you. I read your column daily in the Press Enterprise. — John, in Murrieta, California

John, I recommend that you speak to someone at a hardware store concerning the calcium buildup in your shower. There are a number of products on the market that can do the job, but I know of no home-care solution that can safely remove calcium buildup.

No matter what product you choose, be sure to wear safety gloves that are thick to protect your hands from chemical burns. — Heloise

SEND A GREAT HINT TO:

Heloise@Heloise.com

ENLARGE IT

Dear Heloise: I follow your column in the Winchester Star as I travel around the country. My hint is about trying to read tiny print. Often magnifying glasses just don’t do the trick. So, I grab my cellphone and use the camera to enlarge it, or I take a picture of it and enlarge the image — whichever suits the situation the best. I hope this helps someone else. Best wishes. — Diane Hobbs, via email

A SAFER WAY TO POLISH FURNITURE

Dear Heloise: Lana D., in Peabody, Massachusetts, wrote in that she uses spray polish or cleaner on her wood furniture. Over time, the spray polish will dull the highlights in the wood grain or make them disappear. Fire department experts also say that polish on furniture makes fires burn hotter and makes them more difficult to put out.

Use a high-quality automobile paste wax as a replacement for furniture wax. Clean the wood furniture with warm water and mild detergent, rinse thoroughly, and let dry for 24 hours.

On damaged areas, use a touch-up stick that is available at most hardware stores. Let dry for 24 hours as well. Apply a thin coat of premium automobile paste wax and hand-buff until shiny. You can do it twice if you are picky.

You’ll never have to wax the furniture again. Use a damp dust cloth to remove dust and spills. — Tony E., in Mission Viejo, California

REPURPOSED DRYER SHEETS

Dear Heloise: I repurpose used dryer sheets by placing them inside footwear. They work well by eliminating foul odors, and your wife will thank you! I love reading your columns every day in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. — D.G., in Chino Hills, California

LOCKBOX HINT

Dear Heloise: A reader mentioned that they attached a lockbox to their front door, then gave the code to 911 when they were called. Many municipalities’ fire departments have an internal department that will supply a lockbox. (This might entail a small fee.) They will place it in an obvious location, and the code is then attached to the premise through their computer dispatch system.

This code is made available to the fire department, medical personnel, and the police so that they can enter the premises if necessary. If a 911 call is placed to the residence, it automatically comes up for the dispatcher so that the dispatcher can advise the responding units.

Anyone interested in this feature should definitely reach out to their local fire department to see if it’s available. — Andi M., via email