My mailbox is full of great questions from readers — many of whom are battling similar issues. Read on for help with shedding pets, milk carton dates and ways to battle summer heat.

Q: How can I remove stubborn pet hair from the carpet in my car? Not one of my three vacuums can make a dent in the amount of hair that accumulates on the floor of my car from my two longhaired dogs! — Ellen

A: Grab a pumice stone — the kind we use for foot care to exfoliate dead skin or even to scrub away a toilet bowl ring — and use it to “scrub” the carpet. Work on a small section at a time, scrubbing in one direction. Prepare to be amazed. That pet hair will pull out as you scrub it all into one pile, the way you might sweep a floor. Then use one of your vacuums to pick it up. You’ll need to use some elbow grease, but it will work because the hair sticks to the pumice stone more stubbornly than to the carpet. And don’t worry; this will not harm the carpet. Later from Ellen: I used

a pumice stone on a rocker seat to see if the dog hair would come off it (the rocker needs to be recovered anyway; the fabric was damaged). It was AMAZING how quickly and easily the hair just fell onto the floor, making it easy to vacuum away. Next: the car! Thank you so much.

Q: How can one tell if almond milk has gone bad? It does not have an odor like traditional cow’s milk would. It has now passed the expiration date stamped on the carton. How should I proceed? — Patricia

A: Dates stamped on cartons can be confusing. Product dating is voluntary, and there is no standardized system (product dating is not required by federal regulations except for infant formula). What you see could be a “sell by” date to help store management manage their inventory. At any rate, this is what I know about almond milk. It definitely goes bad, and you’ll know that because it starts to taste funny — kinda sour, and it begins to form small clumps. If yours doesn’t taste funny or look weird, don’t throw it out. It’s still good.

Food pros pretty much agree that you should use almond milk within seven to 10 days of opening the carton, and you should store it in the back of the fridge where it is coldest. Almond milk naturally separates, so don’t take that as a sign it is spoiled. It’s not. You should always shake well before using to counter the separating tendency.

Q: What can I put on a window to block the heat from the hot sun on that side of the house from coming in?

A: The easiest and most attractive option would be a drape that you can open and close. As long as the fabric is fairly heavy and a tight weave, this will do wonders. Just make sure you draw the drape so the window is covered before the sun comes up. Another option is to cover the glass with aluminum foil (not the most attractive or functional if you want access to light once the sun is not beating in). Solar blinds do a great job of blocking the heat while allowing light to come through. Lastly, you could apply transparent heat-control film to that window. A product like Gila Heat Control Adhesive Window Film will reduce incoming heat, glare and ultraviolet rays while allowing natural light to enter and maintaining your outside view.

Would you like more information? Go to Everyday-Cheapskate.com for links and resources for recommended products and services in this column. Mary invites questions, comments and tips at EverydayCheapskate.com, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a lifestyle blog, and the author of the book “Debt-Proof Living.”