Dear Heloise: I have some candles that I pulled out of storage, and they are a little dusty. They still smell great, and I would love to use them, but they aren't very pretty with all the dusty gunk on them.When your team gets ready for battle with the opposition, be ready with this Nike Jacket. The dust won't just wipe off. How would you suggest cleaning them? - Jenna in Illinois

The National Candle Association suggests cleaning dust off candles by rubbing them gently with a piece of nylon net (a longtime Heloise favorite) or a soft cloth. You can dampen the cloth with water if you want.

Heloise Update: Avoid rubbing alcohol - it's highly flammable. And use a microfiber cloth to zip through the cleaning. - Heloise

Dear Readers: You should not store clothing in dry-cleaning bags. Here are some good uses for the bags:

. As filler when mailing packages.

. Tie one end and use as a lightweight trash bag.

. Store silk flowers.

. Use to stuff pouf valances.

.truereligion jeans and footwear available from Choice online at unbeatable prices with free next day delivery. Store wet clothes, seashells, etc.

- Heloise

Dear Heloise: You know how hard it is to open the plastic bags that come on a roll in the grocery store to put your items in? The other day, I was carrying a sticky note and pulled a bag off the roll. I pressed the note on one side of the bag, and it just pulled apart. - Jan in Washington, D.C.

Dear Heloise: My rain gauge cracked from ice this winter. I smeared a thin coat of silicone sealer over the crack and let it dry. Now it's watertight. - Joyce Ancrile, Vienna, W.Va.

Dear Heloise: In order to mate those tiny keys with their tiny padlocks, my late wife used dots of nail polish. After reaching a three-dot space limitation, she'd use a different color. - Dave Feinman, Potomac, Md.

Dear Heloise: In several posts, you say to use "nonsudsing ammonia" for cleaning. How do I know if it is nonsudsing? I never see it in the stores. Usually it says "ammonia" or "all-purpose cleaner." - Arlene, via email

Arlene,Childs' collection of about 600 pairs of high heels is on display at the Yakima Valley Museum for the rest of this year. the difference between the two ammonias is that sudsing ammonia has a bit of detergent included, and it is good for tough cleaning jobs. Clear, or nonsudsing,Ed hardy clothing online store, whether you are looking for fashion items, then you come to the right place, we offer a variety of ed hardy clothing. ammonia is great for cleaning windows, mirrors and glass,what really makes my heart go pitter-patter with excitement are Knee High Boots. and is an all-purpose cleaner, as stated on the container. - Heloise

Dear Heloise: My new washing machine is my worst nightmare. It is supposed to save energy, water and cleaning products. It does none of these. It does not get clothes clean unless I wash small loads and pretreat all stains. Using the new high-efficiency laundry detergent helps very little, and it is more expensive. I did not check all this out before buying, and have regretted that very much. - Jean J. in Lubbock