Dear Heloise: You once had a simple recipe to shine silver jewelry, and I’ve lost it. Would you reprint those instructions? I have a lot of sterling silver jewelry that needs cleaning, and some of my pieces have nooks and crannies that I can’t clean by hand. — Mae R., Dallas

Mae, this is so easy and can be done at home with items you probably have in you kitchen. Here it is:

Line the bottom of your sink or a bowl with aluminum foil. In the palm of your hand, make a pile of salt, then dump it onto the foil. Next, make another pile of baking soda in the palm of your hand and dump it onto the foil. Gently mix the two ingredients with the tips of your fingers. Carefully place your sterling jewelry atop of the baking soda and salt mixture on the foil. The last step is to pour hot water over the silver and the mixture, but only enough to just cover the objects. You’ll see the tarnish disappear before your eyes.

Caution: Do not use on antiques, heirlooms, or silver-plated or hollow flatware. Also, this isn’t recommended for jewelry pieces that have pearls or soft stones, such as opals, peridot, etc.

Besides cleaning silver, baking soda has numerous uses for cleaning your bathtub and sinks, doing laundry and more. It’s even used in baking. You’ll find many ways to save money on cleaning products by getting a copy of my pamphlet “Heloise’s Baking Soda Hints and Recipes.” Why purchase dozens of products when one handy, time-tested pamphlet can save you money and time?

To get a copy, just go to www.Heloise.com or send $5 along with a stamped, self-addressed, long envelope to: Heloise/Baking Soda, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. You won’t regret having this handy information at your fingertips. — Heloise

THE PERFECT

PIE CRUST

Dear Heloise: How can I make the perfect pie crust? — Mattie H., Parma, Ohio

Mattie, I can give you my version of pie crusts, but there are hundreds of variations available. You can start with any recipe you want and just follow these steps that I use when making a pie crust:

• Always use very cold butter or fat.

• Add only one egg yolk (do not add the egg whites). The yolk will make the dough taste richer.

• Use ice water to moisten the dough, but only enough to hold everything together.

• Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling out, and be sure you chilled your rolling pin at the same time. Then, roll out both sides of the dough.

• Chill the pan or glass pie dish while you chill the rolling pin and let the pie dough fall into the chilled dish. Handle your dough as little as possible.

• Poke holes in the bottom of the pie crust, unless the filling is very runny. — Heloise

SUMMER BARBECUES AHEAD

Dear Readers: On beautiful summer days, it’s easy to enjoy a backyard barbecue, but occasionally, we do use too much lighter fluid. Please take every precaution before grilling. We don’t want any singed eyebrows! — Heloise