DEAR HELOISE: To save money, I wait to wash clothes until I have a full load, and I usually use cold to warm water. This saves energy, and at the end of the year adds up to a nice chunk of change. One note: Don’t overload the machine, because then the clothes won’t get clean and you will have to rewash, wasting money and laundry additives.
- Shirley, via e-mail
DEAR READER: Thanks for your laundry hints. The most important thing to remember is: Don’t put a stained garment in the dryer. High heat may set the stain or make it harder to get out.
DEAR HELOISE: I have a hint that helped our family on a recent trip to Mexico. We were traveling with our three small children, ages 7, 5 and 3. Before the trip, I was worried about international travel, security lines and customs. What if I lost a passport, an immigration form or a customs declaration? As I am sure you have experienced, it is so difficult to keep all important travel documents together.
Then I thought of a large binder clip. It worked perfectly! I used the clip to hold all five passports (and any luggage IDs and customs paperwork) together so that when it was our turn to show our information, I only had to find one thing. It made traveling a lot more relaxing.
- Melissa Padgett, via e-mail
DEAR HELOISE: We save boxes and use them for wrapping gifts at Christmas, birthdays or other gift-giving holidays. We’ve got a few boxes that have been recycled in our home for more than five years! This saves on wrapping materials for the holidays and gives the boxes several uses.
- April in Fla.
DEAR HELOISE: My mom and I were peeling vegetables. She didn’t want a clogged disposal, and I hate cleaning up starchy counters or cutting boards. So my mom put down newspaper on the counter. Easy cleanup!
- Emily Dotson, Gaithersburg, Md.
DEAR HELOISE: We were planning a trip to the amusement park and were wondering how to safely take our cell phones, wallets and glucometers onto the water rides. My nephew came up with the perfect solution - a plastic zipper bag.
- Colleen in Pennsylvania 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 [email protected]
Style, Pages 32 on 04/23/2013