HOT TIPS : `DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS' UNCOVERED.

Byline: Barbara De Witt 

Miz Hot Tips had an aunt who liked to give the ``white glove'' test to the furniture. It made us live in fear.

A freak of nature? Nah, she was just more honest about her dislike of dust - a dislike that's more prevalent than you might think, according to the recent ``America's Dirty Little Secrets'' survey.

The survey of 1,000 people across the country conducted by an Illinois marketing company for Pledge Furniture Spray showed 55 percent of the nation's women and 41 percent of its men notice dusty furniture in other people's homes.

The pollsters also learned that more than a third of the country thinks Barbara Bush and Nancy Reagan were probably the most likely first ladies to keep the White House clean. Apparently first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton isn't thought of as a neatnik; she received a mere 7 percent of the vote.

Mall patrol:Finally the Valley is getting its own Wal-Mart.

The popular mass-merchandise store will open May 20 in the former Broadway location at the Panorama Mall, 8401 Van Nuys Blvd., Panorama City, but you can get a sneak peek.

On May 19, there's a preopening soiree at the store to raise money for LAPD Jeopardy, a gang prevention program for local youth. Tickets are $25, and the number to call is [phone].

Shopper's alert: If you're on a shopping safari, stop at a JC Penney store to see the new Raquel Welch wig collection. Yep, wigs are stylin' again (so are fake ponytails and chignons), and you can try one on at the store's hair salon. Price range is $99 to $299.

Sears stores have something new, too. It's a gift registry service where you can list all kinds of things, including Craftsman tools, which should come in handy for Father's Day.

Miss those classic American T-shirts with a pocket? The Gap is celebrating the shirt's 14th anniversary with a nostalgic collection in 15 colors, priced at $10.50 each.

Nifty '50s: By now, you know everything from the '50s is way cool, from Ricky's club shirts to Lucy's housedresses. But wait, there's more. Now you can buy ``I Love Lucy'' checks with scenes from popular episodes, including the show featuring the Vitameatavegamin commercial. They cost $15.95 for 200 and can be ordered by calling the Styles Check Co. at [phone].

Movable feasts: The Hollywood Bowl season is coming up, and that means picnics under the stars. If you're tired of noticing how the folks next to you are dining in style with gourmet goodies and linen napkins while you sit with a box of chicken wings, check out Urban Epicuria, a new concept in boxed dinners. The company offers several picnic choices, including ``Rite of Spring,'' with shiitake mushroom and goat cheese canapes, duck salad, tuna with an Asian slaw and lemon cake for $37.50 a person. Urban Epicuria is at 8315 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; call [phone].

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Photo: Show how much you really love Lucy with checks, inspired by her sitcom, from Styles Check Co.