HINTS FROM HELOISE

Dear Readers: I received an e-mail from Betty Kyle asking for a nonstreaking FORMULA FOR CLEANING WINDOWS. She said nothing has cleaned them properly.

Well, Betty, I have just the thing for you! Try mixing 1 cup plain household ammonia or 1 cup cheap vinegar with a half-bucket (about 1 gallon) of hot water. Using a clean sponge, go over the window a couple of times and then wipe clean with crumpled newspaper. This should do the trick.

You can also use full-strength vinegar (9 percent is great) on outside windows that have hard-water spots from the sprinkler system. Just spray the window with the vinegar, let sit for a few minutes, then scrub with a nylon-net scrubby or brush. Rinse wi th water, then dry with newspaper. This works on light deposits. If the water marks are heavy or old, you might need to treat the windows several times.

Remember, don't clean windows if the sun is shining right on them. Cleaning solutions will dry too fast, and you won't be able to get the windows clean and streak-free. -- Heloise