Vacuum Cleaner

Police logSevern: Someone smashed a rear vent window of a 1996 Isuzu Rodeo parked in the 7600 block of Fairbanks Court overnight Sunday and stole a compact disc player, a remote control, several CDs, a baby stroller and playpen, a vacuum cleaner, and pots and pans, together valued at $1,868.Severn: Someone broke into a vacant home in the 1800 block of Arwell Court overnight Sunday and stole furnace parts valued at $1,500.Pub Date: 11/13/96

POLICE* Jessup8200 block of Glenn Court: Someone cut the plastic covering on a window between 10 a.m. Sunday and 10:37 a.m. Monday. The intruder entered the residence, damaged property and overturned furniture. Nothing was taken.* North Laurel9100 block of Moonshine Hollow: A door was kicked in between 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 11:35 a.m. Monday. A vacuum cleaner was taken.9900 block of Route 1: The screen was removed from a window at Vernon's Auto Repair Shop between noon Thursday and 3:30 p.m. Friday.

Around the house* To speed up cleaning, use a 25-foot-long extension cord with your vacuum cleaner; this will avoid interruptions of searching for an outlet and plugging and unplugging.* Clean a stained mattress with foaming upholstery shampoo. Follow directions on label. Allow mattress to dry completely before putting on sheets.* Scrub porcelain enamel tubs and sinks with a solution of hot water and dishwasher detergent. The mixture is nonabrasive and won't hurt the shiny finish.* Prevent waxed paper from sliding when rolling out dough.

Around the house* Give a stainless steel sink sparkle. Clean and polish surface occasionally with a glass cleaner or a paste made of baking soda and water.* Remove lint from upholstered furniture with pantyhose. This quick procedure avoids getting out the vacuum cleaner.* Keep holiday gift wrap in good condition from year to year. Store rolls of wrapping paper upright in a garment bag or purchase a long box from a florist.* Spread a paper towel over spills on counter tops when you are preparing a meal.

Q. I plan to install a home-size central vacuum cleaner myself. I have allergies, so I need clean, dust-free air. Since these central units are powerful, do they use a lot of electricity and are they efficient?A. A central vacuum system does have a larger, more powerful motor than a standard portable vacuum cleaner. It can still be plugged into a standard electric outlet. Considering the length of time that you run a vacuum cleaner each month, the difference in electricity is insignificant.

Around the house* Clean aluminum storm door. Apply whitewall tire cleaner or aluminum jelly to stains with a soft, damp rag; remove residue with a clean wet cloth.* Save time when cleaning small objects. Assemble knick-knacks on tray and dust with blow-dryer. Submerge tray in solution of soapy water; spray with shower of clear water and let drip dry.* Remove nicotine mist on mirrors with rubbing alcohol on a cloth.* Repair a small rip in a reusable vacuum cleaner bag with iron-on patching material.

* Ellicott City: 8400 block of Graystone Lane: Someone broke into a 1991 Mazda Miata on Tuesday or Wednesday and stole a $125 car hood cover.9000 block of Town and Country Blvd.: Someone broke into a 1986 Dodge Ram truck on Monday or Tuesday, and stole a $60 AM-FM radio cassette player, a $160 Milwaukee drill, a $120 drill, a $220 Milwaukee saw and $500 worth of various tools.3200 block of Normandy Woods Drive: Someone removed a $170 Hoover vacuum cleaner from the rear of a truck Saturday.

Police Blotter is a sampling of crimes in Howard County.Sykesville: 13100 block of Forsythe Road: A thief stole a Kawasaki motorcycle, tags 3709D5, about 9 a.m. Sunday.Oakland Mills: 560 block of Stevens Forest Road: Someone broke a ground-floor apartment window Saturday.Oakland Mills: 10200 block of Wincopin Circle: A thief stole a Toyota Corolla with Virginia tags about 4 p.m. Saturday.Oakland Mills: Wincopin Circle and Patuxent Parkway: A thief stole a gold Saturn with Florida tags between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday.

STAN KANN, 83 Vacuum cleaner collector Stan Kann, an organist with an affinity for antique vacuum cleaners whose unlikely hobby made him a frequent guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and other talk shows, died Monday at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis of complications after undergoing open-heart surgery. While Mr. Kann was known in his native St. Louis for playing the Wurlitzer pipe organ at the city's Fabulous Fox Theatre, he began acquiring a national television audience on June 8, 1966, when he first appeared with Mr. Carson on The Tonight Show.

Around the house* Wipe a small amount of baby oil on a clean, dry stainless-steel sink. This will make it resistant to water-spots and will give the sink a shine.* Spray fabric protector on new ties to help repel spills. This will prevent several trips to the drycleaner.* Check vacuum cleaner bags often. Replace disposable bags regularly and make sure cloth bags are emptied routinely to run appliance efficiently. If dirt scatters from the machine, check the beater bar and belt for possible malfunction.