Today's linoleum flooring is a step up

And now more on flooring: Don't you hate to clean up that dirt and mud tracked into your house? You can do a lot to prevent it from getting inside. Do you realize that 80 percent of the dirt on floors comes in from the outside? To prevent extra cleaning, get several walk-off mats. Cleaning experts say that a good mat can reduce cleaning time. Who isn't happy about that?

Dear Heloise: I've moved all loose hardware, like screws, bolts, etc., from plastic bags (they always pierced the plastic) and put them in old prescription bottles. I'm not getting poked anymore!

-- Lisa, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I read the article about moving where items were lost due to no inventory. This is the difference between a budget and a full-service professional mover.

A professional mover will provide numbered stickers and place them on all furniture, boxes and any items that are loaded onto a truck/trailer. The professional mover will provide an inventory form where all numbered stickers will be noted along with a description of each one's contents (e.g., sticker 101 -- dish-pack box with dishes).

At delivery, the customer will check off each item as it is unloaded off the truck/trailer so that if there is anything missing or damaged, it will be noted at that time.

Since most customers select a mover based on price, it only emphasizes the old saying: You get what you pay for.

-- Maria D., via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I always seem to lose baby socks and other small items in the laundry. I decided to take a lingerie bag with a clip-on hanger (the ones you get with baby clothes) and hang it on the side of the hamper. I put the socks, mittens, hats and anything that is small into the bag. On wash day, I just zip the bag and put it into the washer and then into the dryer.

-- Kathy B., Shippensburg, Pa.

Dear Heloise: Our bakers rack sways a bit, and the wineglasses we hang on it kept bumping against each other. To keep them from accidentally cracking, I put a fat rubber band (like the ones that come on broccoli) around the widest part of each glass. Now they just bounce a little and won't crack or chip.

-- Candy Tutt, Woodland, Calif.

Dear Heloise: To clean the cylinder in a bagless vacuum, put your newspaper bags to use. Slide the dirty cylinder into the delivery bag that the paper comes in, cinch the top and tap away to knock the dirt out. This keeps the dust from flying everywhere, including on garbage day.

-- Janet, via fax

Pet corner

Dear Readers: What to do when your dog gets skunked? Dogs and skunks, unfortunately, come in contact with each other, usually with stinky results. Getting rid of that odor can be challenging. In the past, people have used tomato juice or vinegar to try to neutralize the awful smell. These can do a pretty good job, but here's the update:

Veterinarians today recommend this formula to do an even better job: Mix 1 quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide with 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of mild dishwashing detergent (check to make sure it does not contain bleach or ammonia). Rub this solution into your dog's coat. Don't let any get into the eyes or ears. Then bathe with a mild pet shampoo. Rinse well.

If your pooch still has a skunky aroma, repeat the process.