Dear Heloise: I have a pair of dressy flats in a sort of silvery-black color. I noticed that they had become scuffed and looked worn, with some of the color getting muted. It occurred to me to try putting some petroleum jelly on them. I was astounded at the difference! They were almost as good as new — no black polish needed! — K.G., in California

HIDDEN DRAWER

PANELS

Dear Heloise: I had an important document that I needed to keep handy, so I put it on top of a pile of papers in my long desktop drawer. Minutes later, I went to retrieve it, but it was missing — simply gone!

It took me a bit to figure out that it must have slipped over the back of the drawer and, of course, landed on the floor. But it was not there either! This desk drawer, unlike many, had a panel under it where things could get lost forever. Unfortunately, the whole drawer had to be removed to get underneath it.

Now that I’m aware of this panel, I’m on a quest to check under similar drawers in the house. Who knows what treasures are going to be found! — A Reader, via email