DEAR HELOISE: Hints, please, on how to wear linen. Any great ideas to keep it looking fresh?
-- Amy W., via email
DEAR READER: Natural fibers in linen make it a cooler, more-breathable alternative to man-made fibers, but the wrinkles can be a problem.
The Drycleaning and Laundry Institute (dlionline.org) recommends laundering linen in warm water on the gentle cycle. Line-dry thoroughly on a rack or hanger. Ironing before wearing may help with the wrinkles, but it won't eliminate them.
Linen is a great option for late-summer wear, because it's breezy, absorbent and light, but with this fabric, resign yourself to some wrinkling. It speaks to the character of the fabric.
Professional dry-cleaning may help also. Talk with your cleaner.
P.S. Linen is a natural fiber so strong that our paper currency is 25 percent linen!
DEAR HELOISE: To avoid germs, after washing my hands in a public restroom, I use a paper towel to turn off the faucet.
-- Nancy T.,
Hagerstown, Md.
DEAR READER: Many public faucets have a motion-detector system for the water to come on, for the soap to dispense and for the paper towel to pop out, so you don't have to touch things if you don't want to.
DEAR HELOISE: By accident, I found that the rubber guard under the garbage disposal is soiled. I wipe under the rubber to clean and sanitize it.
-- R.A. in New York
DEAR READER: Here's an easy way to really keep it clean:
Fill the sink with enough water to cover the gasket (which should release easily), and add a couple of drops of liquid dishwashing detergent and a careful but generous glub-glub of chlorine bleach. Soak for 20 minutes. Rinse and reattach.
DEAR HELOISE: When I make boxed mac and cheese, I put more macaroni in it from my pantry to stretch it further,. I also put macaroni in chili or soup to do the same.
-- Betty D., Faulkton, S.D.
DEAR HELOISE: I keep get-well cards on my mantel so my home doesn't have to be spotless. If people drop over unexpectedly, they'll think I've been too sick to clean.
-- A Reader, via email
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
Weekend on 08/09/2018