Dear Heloise: After suffering from an awful bout of poison ivy as a child, I learned a trick: Pretend every plant is covered in red paint. Even dormant leaves can harbor the urushiol oil. If you get any “paint” on you, even invisible traces, wash everything thoroughly within 3 hours of contact. Clothes, gloves, shoes, tools — all of it needs a deep cleaning. Touching something that has the oil, then touching yourself can cause a breakout. Early exposure might not trigger one, but future contact likely will. And it often worsens with each encounter.

After I found myself in a patch of poison ivy, I went to my garage and took off all my outer clothes, including my sneakers, and carried them to the washing machine. I put them and the rest of my clothes into the wash. I then took a long shower and soaped up from head to toe. My trick kept my three kids poison-ivy-free!

Even pets can spread the oil, so wash them with pet shampoo before touching them and clean everything that comes into contact with them. — Carl Andrade, Nashua, New Hampshire

STOVETOP REPAIR

Dear Heloise: A large pepper mill fell from an overhead cabinet, causing a rather large chip in my black stove. Calls to local repair shops and manufacturers revealed no options for repair. So, my fix was black enamel nail polish. It worked perfectly, without any evidence of damage. — Cindy, Palm Coast, Florida

WEDDING MUSIC

Dear Heloise: I hope you are having a wonderful summer! I wanted to write in with a hint in regard to Joan, who did not enjoy all the music choices at the lovely wedding that she attended:

My daughter and son-in-law, who married last fall, had their guests enter two of their favorite songs along with their RSVPs! It was so fun watching people jump up when their song was played!

From younger guests to older guests, everyone got at least one or two of their favorite songs to enjoy! Also, it exposed all of us to a variety of music and dance styles! It is always fun and special to see everyone enjoying this part of the celebration! — Susan E., Brea, California

BASIL AND

GINGER ROOT

Dear Heloise: Every year, I grow 6-7 basil plants. When they are large enough, I take cuttings of them, wash them well, and put them into my salad spinner to dry. Then I pack my food processor full, add 1/4 to 1/2 onion, 4 to 6 cloves of garlic, and 1/4 cup each of olive oil and wine vinegar. I process this until it’s a fine texture.

Then I spoon this into ice-cube trays that have been sprayed with cooking spray and freeze. When they’re frozen, I pop them out and put them in bags inside of the freezer. I usually get 3 cuttings per season, and they last until the next season. They still taste and smell as fresh as when they were made.

For storing fresh ginger root, I’ve found that putting it in a jar of white wine, covered and placed in the refrigerator, keeps it for a very long time. — Mary N., Etowah, North Carolina

VINYL TABLECLOTHS

Dear Heloise: If you have a vinyl tablecloth or protector, you should fold it differently every time you put it away. Otherwise, it will begin to crack at the folds. I never miss your column. — S.W., in California