HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR READERS: Here is this week’s Sound Off:

“I have been reading about the restaurant workers who use the same cloth to wash the tables and chairs. A worse problem I observed as I worked in restaurants is the silverware wrapped in napkins for placement on tables. Many workers, from wait staff to cashiers, wrap the silverware in any spare moment, especially during the busiest times, in order to keep up with large amounts of customers. I rarely saw staff wash their hands between handling money or other items and then wrapping the utensils.” - A Concerned Eater, via email

DEAR READER: Yuck!

DEAR READERS: Here are some hints about items to keep handy in a guest room:

A box of tissues and a wastebasket.

A small flashlight and a night light.

A few small snacks.

Travel-size toiletries in a bathroom.

Books and magazines for reading.

DEAR HELOISE: My husband polishes his shoes on a regular basis. He has gotten some shoe polish on a pair of pants. Do you have a hint that might help get the stain out?

• Laura in Texas

DEAR READER: Wet the stain with cleaning fluid, then wash the garment with your normal detergent and warm water. You may need to repeat the process to completely remove the stain. If the shoe polish is a liquid, you might not be able to get it out.

Have a mystery stain you need to get rid of? Flush it with cold water, then apply prewash spray. Rub into the stain until all traces are removed, then wash as normal.

DEAR HELOISE: I just read the note from a reader about loose tea. I also enjoy it. The variety, and especially the quality, is much greater than what is available in tea bags. Empty tea bags are available from many sites. They are cheaper and easier to use than coffee filters, and can be filled ahead of time.

• Mark in Alton, Ill.

DEAR HELOISE: No matter how careful I am, I always manage to have an unmatched sock. I’ve learned to keep these socks around to use for quick dusting (place it on your hand like a glove) and to protect fragile items when I’m packing/wrapping them.

• Vasilisa H., Columbia, S.C. 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]