Hints from Heloise

Microwave
Here's a quick way to clean your microwave and leave it smelling fresh, too! Put 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 cup of water into a large (4 cups or more) microwave-safe bowl. Put the bowl in the microwave on "high" for 2-3 minutes or until the water begins to boil and gives the inside of the microwave a "steam bath." This will loosen stuck-on gunk - use a clean cloth or sponge to just wipe it off. NOTE: Be careful when opening the microwave door - the steam is hot.

Coffee Pot
To clean a slow brewing coffee pot, vinegar is the answer. Fill the water reservoir with full-strength household white vinegar, put a filter in the basket and turn the coffee pot on brew. The vinegar helps remove lime deposits. Repeat this process several times if your coffee pot is really slow - you'll see the sediment in the filter. Then run several pots of fresh water through. Repeat - usually 2-3 times is sufficient. F.Y.I.: If your filter basket is stained and "yucky," sprinkle some baking soda onto a damp sponge and scrub the stains away. You can put most baskets on the top rack of the dishwasher (at least once a week) to keep them free of these stains - check your owner's manual just to be sure yours is dishwasher safe!

Garbage Disposal
A quick way to clean and deodorize your disposal is to put some citrus peels (lemon, orange, lime, etc.) down the disposal. Turn on the cold water and then let the garbage disposal grind away. Remember, let the water continue to run for a minute or so longer to "flush" it out. F.Y.I.: Keep your garbage disposal fresh-smelling by adding a couple of tablespoons of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar down the drain about once a week. Let it set awhile, then flush with cool water.

Heloise, author and nationally syndicated columnist.

The New Millennium Bath

From acrylic tubs with contoured headrests to portable aroma spa therapy, the bathroom has become a place of luxury, relaxation and recreation.

Cutting-edge products, convenience and comfort are the drivers of today's bathroom market. Consumers are becoming more educated about bath products and want certain convenience items incorporated in the privacy of

their homes. Multiple showerheads with a range of sprays from massage to pulsating, oversized shower benches, grab bars, offset drains, extended lavatories, hand-held showers, heated toilet seats, grip rails, open seating in showers and safety rails are all combinations of safety and convenience that Americans are willing to pay for.

Could you imagine calling your home from the car, entering a personalized code and having your bathtub fill to a pre-programmed temperature and level? This feature is already available today. Many luxury whirlpools, tubs and showers are already equipped with stereo systems, televisions, VCRs, and telephones - a combination of relaxation and personalization. New products in the market allow individuals to program the exact temperature of their bathing water, both a convenience and safety feature.

Studies have shown that the majority of people are taking longer baths - that might be why one of the hottest crazes to hit the bathroom industry is the air massage or air jet tubs. With 35 to 70 air jets to choose from, a heated liner and speed pump supports for multiple users, this tub is the ultimate getaway after a hard day of work. "Massage or air jet tubs have been a hit in Europe and are making a splash in the U.S., but I don't think they will replace the original whirlpool baths," said Jeff Burton, 1999 president of the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

New millennium bathrooms are being created and personalized with convenience in mind. Products and appliances include built-in hairdryers offered in different watts, colors and finishes, invigorating and calming saunas, and towel warmers designed to take both the chill out of the air and warm your towels. Other features that will be seen in new millennium baths are: electric defogging devices for mirrors; new toilet technology with ventilation systems that eliminate 98 percent of toilet odor; solar reflective tubes providing even, balanced lighting without the problems of skylights; and modular furniture which is portable and available in all options and finishes.