Dear Heloise: I don’t like cleaning paintbrushes. If I don’t have time to finish painting something in one session, I squeeze some of the excess paint from the brush and wrap the bristles (up to the narrow part of the handle) snugly with aluminum foil. Then I keep the brush in the freezer (not the fridge) until the next time. This works well with oil-based paint, varnish or latex, and the brushes will keep for a week or more. Just start to paint. They’ll thaw rapidly with use. — T.D.H., Lincoln, Neb.

Dear Heloise: How do I clean slate floors? Soap didn’t seem to work. — Tracy Homer, Boston

Dear Tracy: There are nonsoap commercial cleaners available in most hardware and home-improvement stores.

It’s a good idea to apply a stone sealer to a slate floor, but be sure to buy one with a 10- to 15-year warranty. Never use vinegar, ammonia or soap on slate floors because these will leave a dull, milky film that can become sticky and attract dirt.

Dear Heloise: I use one-quarter- or one-half-inch self-stick foam insulation (for windows or doors) between my stove and cabinet to prevent spills from going down in between them. When it gets dirty, I just pull it off and put on a clean one. — Pat Lavato, Lower Marlboro, Md.

Dear Heloise: I have heard that you can wash feather pillows, but I don’t know how in order not to mess them up. — Thelma Gregg, Palm Beach Gardens

Dear Thelma: They can be washed and dried at home. The first step is to be sure there are no tears or slits in the pillow covering.

It’s best to put two pillows in the washer at the same time in order to keep it balanced.

Use a smaller amount of regular detergent than you would normally. Wash the pillows using the delicate cycle on the machine. It’s also a good idea to give them a second rinse.

Putting the pillows in the dryer after washing will allow the feathers to fluff up. Put a couple of clean tennis shoes or tennis balls in the dryer to help the fluffing process. It will take the pillows longer than a regular load of clothes to dry.

If your pillows smell musty, put them outside in the sun for several hours. You can also re-fluff them in the dryer between washings if you like. — Heloise

Send hints to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or fax to 210-435-6473.