Making a new house your pet's home
How can I make the transition to a new home easier for my two cats?
First, purchase ID tags for your pets with your new address and phone number on them. This is especially important if your phone number will change. On moving day, put on the tags, then place the cats in their carriers.
If you can, drive your pets to your new home before the movers start working. Then, if you have the space, put food, water, a litter box, and any toys in an out-of-the-way room, such as an office or bathroom. Place a sign on the door to warn anyone who might try to enter, then let the cats out of their carriers and keep them in the room with the door closed for the duration of the move. If you don't have an extra room, you also may set the cats in their carriers in a cool, quiet spot; they won't be happy, but they'll be safe.
Once the move is over, let your pets explore their new surroundings. "Some cats will meow a lot and run around, and others will hide," says Marc Morrone, host of "Ask Marc, the Petkeeper" on Martha Stewart Living Radio, Sirius 112. "Let them get comfortable on their own terms." If you set up a temporary room for the cats, leave the food, water, and litter box there for now, Morrone says. You can place a second set in what will become their permanent location, but keep the two sets out until you're sure the cats are comfortable using both: Give them about a week.
Restrict outdoor cats to the house or garage for 10 days after the move, no matter how much they cry to go out. Morrone says that when cats get to know their surroundings, they develop a sense that will actually help them find their way home once you let them out.
How should I clean and store vintage beaded tops and evening bags?
Because of the intricacy of beaded pieces -- and because many vintage items don't have care labels -- it's best to take them to a dry cleaner who has experience with vintage clothing. Avoid any cleaners that post signs stating the business is not responsible for damaged items, says Steve Boorstein, a dry cleaner and the author of "The Clothing Doctor's Ultimate Guide to Shopping & Caring for Clothing" (Boutique; 2002).
Always ask if the cleaner will work with vintage clothes. If you cannot find someone in your area to do the job, seek out a specialty cleaner that accepts pieces through the mail. (Look for one at leadingcleaners.com.)
Depending on the type and condition of your item, the cleaning may cost $25 to $40; ask for an estimate. Before cleaning, inspect the pieces for stains and loose beading (so you can point them out to the cleaner), seams, zippers, buttons and hooks. Cleaning can aggravate pulls and tears.
Tops should be cleaned after each time you wear them, even if you can't see any marks -- invisible stains from perspiration, perfume, and the like will attract insects and can cause permanent discoloration over time. If there are no visible stains, you can wait a week before cleaning; treat items with visible stains as soon as possible. If you wash an item at home, place it in a lingerie bag and soak it in cool water and mild detergent; lay flat to dry to make sure it doesn't stretch or tear.
Adapted from Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Questions should be addressed to Ask Martha, care of Letters Department, Martha Stewart Living, 11 W. 42nd Street, New York, N.Y., 10036. Questions may also be sent by electronic mail to: mslletters@marthastewart.com. Please include your name, address, and daytime telephone number. Questions of general interest will be answered in this column; Martha Stewart regrets that unpublished letters cannot be answered individually. For more information on the Ask Martha column, visit marthastewart.com. 