HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR HELOISE: I read the hint about disposing of broken glass and realized that I have a hint I could share:

I buy lots of pet food and save the empty bags (making sure there are no lingering pieces of kibble, then folding and storing in a kitchen cabinet). When there is an accident, I sweep up the broken glass and pour it directly from the dustpan into a pet-food bag, roll it shut and secure it with a bit of tape. Because of the wide mouth, it all pours in, and the multithickness of the bag prevents cuts.

• Pam Z. in Texas

DEAR READER: A cleanup and recycle hint all in one! What could be better? Thanks for writing.

DEAR HELOISE: I haven’t seen this situation addressed, yet we who process mail orders encounter this problem daily. Possibly your readers can benefit from this bit of advice:

When sending in a check, money order or any type of payment with an order, do not use staples, tape or glue. This oftentimes destroys the payment, plus the order, as we attempt to take it apart. I don’t know if this has been given any thought by readers sending in mail orders, but it is very important.

• Julie B. in Indiana

DEAR READERS: A recent column about compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) explained how to clean up after one breaks. Many of you wrote regarding how to dispose of the burned-out ones.

Lyman and Rachel A. in Louisiana wrote: “Perhaps you should remind folks that burned-out bulbs cannot be put into regular household garbage or recycling, as they are considered hazardous materials. CFLs may be recycled at community hazmat recycling events. Also, big-box hardware stores offer recycling for bulbs.”

Jennifer M. in California wrote: “The CFL (broken or not) … needs to go to a hazardous-material collection site. And while the readers are at it, they can take their batteries, old paint and chemicals there also.”

DEAR HELOISE: When shopping for produce, I find it easy to slip a hand into a produce bag provided, then grab lettuce, radishes, etc. I then pull the produce bag over my hand and the produce. This keeps my hand dry, and it’s so much easier than trying to push items into the bag.

• Liz G., via email Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email [email protected]