Those dirty backpacks

to add several new decals on our cars, so I have to remove the old ones. What’s the best way to do that? — Sheila from Maryland

Dear Sheila: You can apply several coats of a petroleum-based spray or household vinegar to the old decals. Let it stay on the decals for several minutes to loosen them. Then use a window scraper to take it all off. — Heloise

Lamplight seems dim?

Dear Readers: If the light coming from your lamps doesn’t seem as bright as it should be, check the lampshade! If it has accumulated a lot of dust, that can be the cause. For a flat shade, use a brush or lint roller or blow it off with a hair dryer set on high. For a pleated shade, whisk it off with a clean paintbrush or vacuum it off with the dusting-brush attachment. Dust shades often to prevent this kind of buildup. — Heloise

Gum melted in dryer

Dear Heloise: Somehow chewing gum ended up all over the inside of my dryer. What a mess! How can I clean it up? — Kara from California

Dear Kara: This is such a common laundry disaster! It can be an awful, time-consuming task to remove all the sticky stuff from inside the dryer. Take these steps to make it easier:

1. Put several old towels into the dryer and let it run on warm for a couple of minutes. This will make the gum soften.

2. Then mix 1 tablespoon of powdered laundry detergent with water, just enough to make a paste. Apply it with a cloth and scrub over the gum inside the entire dryer and wipe out.

3. Before you place clothes into the dryer again, run it one more time with several damp rags to be sure all of the gum is gone.

4. Before putting clothes in the washer or dryer, check all the pockets!

— Heloise

Smelly sponges

Dear Readers:

Our kitchen sponges get so much use that they get stinky. That stink can come from food particles, mildew or bacteria that gets trapped in the sponge. To eliminate the smell, do this:

■ Soak the sponge in a bowl of vinegar for 5-10 minutes.

■ Rinse the sponge in cool, soapy water and wring it out completely. Let it air-dry.

■ If your sponges still smell bad or are just too ratty, toss them out. Buy sponges when they are on sale.

— Heloise