LITTLE ROCK — DEAR HELOISE: The plastic container that flushable wipes come in can be used:
For storage of trinkets.
To hold desk supplies, such as paper clips, rubber bands and staples.
As a makeup case when vacationing.
- Margarette Mattern, via e-mail
DEAR READER: Thanks for these handy reuse hints. Please see the following for another makeup hint:
DEAR HELOISE: I work in an office and have an extra makeup bag in my desk for some of my personal items, such as travel sewing kit, clear nail polish, eyedrops, mirror, lipstick and some other small items.
- A Reader, via e-mail
DEAR HELOISE: We have several ornamental flowering crab apple trees that bear fruit. These tiny crab apples can be a danger to walkers and are a messy nuisance in the driveway.Sweeping them into a dustpan was backbreaking until it occurred to me to pick them up with my husband’s shop vacuum! Now I can clean them from under the shrubs and out of the grass, too! Be sure to empty the vacuum so the fruit doesn’t ferment.
- Linda Sacra in Roswell, N.M.
DEAR READER: By definition a crab apple is approximately 2 inches or less in diameter. The shop vacuum I have (it’s really my husband David’s) would not be able to suck these up, but if yours does and it doesn’t harm the vacuum, I say go for it!
DEAR HELOISE: To keep French nails white while gardening, I put baby powder on my hands and especially under the nails. I put on vinyl gloves, then gardening gloves. After removal, I clean my nails with a toothbrush. White every time!
- Edie in Erie, Pa. Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or e-mail
ActiveStyle, Pages 28 on 10/25/2010