DEAR READERS: Here is this week's Sound Off, about supermarket carts:
"When my hubby and I grocery-shop, we each bring in a cart and come out with no carts. It is so easy to do this. My gripe is: When did shopping carts become personal wastebaskets? The things left in them can be disturbing."
-- Polly K., Mission Viejo, Calif.
DEAR READER: I hope not too disturbing! A shopping list, plastic produce bag or hand wipe might be left behind, but most anything beyond that can be yucky. There usually are trash cans by the entry/exit door. Folks, toss your trash.
P.S.: Polly, thanks for the reminder to take a "stray" shopping cart into the store.
DEAR READERS: Here are other uses for small plastic pots that plants come in:
• Use as a scoop for potting soil when planting.
• Prop up a painting project so sides are easier to paint.
• Sort nuts and bolts in a garage.
• Use to start new seedlings in.
• Make into a yarn or twine dispenser. Pull the yarn through one hole.
DEAR HELOISE: I seem to have sunscreen stains on my swimsuits. I think I remember reading about you telling us how to get rid of them.
-- E. Williams, Key West, Fla.
DEAR READER: Use straight liquid laundry detergent and pour it onto the stains. Sort of rub it in with your fingers or a soft old toothbrush, then let sit for 30 minutes or so. It's important to give the detergent "work time" rather than washing right away. The swimsuits then can be hand-washed in cool water. Dry by hanging up in the shower, then check to see if the stain is gone. If not, re-treat. Try to apply sunscreen and let it dry and absorb before putting your swimsuit on, or use care when slapping on sunscreen.
DEAR HELOISE: Once a month or so, I shake out and wash the area rugs we place by the doors and the dog beds. You would be surprised how dirty they can get. The dog one does get a little stinky, too. Most of them I just throw in the washing machine and then let air-dry.
-- Lynette in Warren, Ohio
DEAR HELOISE: Whenever I am done drinking a glass of water, I dump the ice cubes into my potted plants. The ice melts slowly, and there is no overflow of water that sometimes happens.
-- Romda in Atlanta
DEAR HELOISE: I wash my hands a lot during the day, and they get so dry. I now keep a bottle of lotion next to every sink in the house. As soon as I dry my hands, I put lotion on. No more dry, cracked hands.
-- Amanda, 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
ActiveStyle on 08/03/2015