Dear Carrells: I tried something last year that really worked, and I wanted to share it with your readers. We have had problems with icy steps in front of our condo and have tried a lot of things, but they still remain treacherous. If you mix a little dishwashing liquid into some hot water and pour this over the steps, it will melt the ice and won't refreeze. I don't know why it works, but we had pretty good results last year. — J.R.

A SUPER HINT — To save money on replacing your carpet, remove the old carpet yourself. Cut it into smaller pieces, maybe 3 feet by 3 feet, and take the smaller pieces outside. Your garbagemen will appreciate your actions as well.

Dear Al: We needed to add a handrail to our back steps. We didn't have any way to install it directly into the concrete, but had a post at the bottom of the steps and the side of the house at the top. We installed a large eye bolt and ran a thick nylon cord between the two. It's great to hold on to, and it does the job that we need it to do. Maybe one day we can afford to hire someone to install a permanent metal rail, but this one works fine for now. — W.H.

Q: I'm confused when looking at wallpaper for my kitchen. What or why would anyone use "strippable wallpaper"? — D.R.

A: Strippable wallpaper is made to come off easily when you decide to take it down. It isn't any less permanent than the rest, so don't think it is going to peel off your wall after only a week or two. It just means that when you do decide to remove it to redecorate or paint, it won't be a major production, like it can be for some papers.

A Tip From the Super HandyMom — I've seen some really nice (and expensive) ways to store ribbon for wrapping packages in my local crafts store. But I created my own that works quite well. I used a plastic storage holder for CDs (100 discs). I placed the ribbon reels on the center spindle and then carefully made slits along the side of the plastic case to feed the ribbons through. The holes line up with the ribbon on the spindle, and the end sticks out of the container, which I keep closed to keep the ribbon under control. When I need a particular color, I just grab the end, pull out what I need and snip it off, leaving the end ready for my next project. This would work great for sewing trim, too.

SHOPTALK — Safety glasses are required for so many DIY jobs, but a lot of people find they are a hassle because they tend to fog up when you are working in average DIY conditions, like hot, cold or humid. Clarity Defog It Dry Cloths should be in every shop and toolbox. The reusable cloth will prevent fogging on many surfaces, and the results last for a long time. It's amazing to think that one tiny cloth can make such a difference, but it can. Look for it at discount stores, auto-supply stores and many other outlets. To learn more about this product, as well as the rest of the line, visit the company's Web site at www.nanofilmproducts.com.