Helpful Hints

DEAR READERS: Today's Sound Off is about people and their driving habits:

DEAR HELOISE: Driving a vehicle can become so familiar that some people naturally get a little careless about using their turn signals, coming to a complete stop at stop signs and tailgating other drivers. But those pale when compared with cellphones: texting and answering calls. A couple of years ago, on graduation night from high school, five young girls were killed when the driver was texting behind the wheel. Five young lives gone in only a few seconds; five families who had to bury otherwise healthy, young daughters. If you are driving, don't answer your phone and don't text.

-- Joanie in California.

DEAR READERS: Here are uses for transparent tape:

• Repair hems when the thread has been pulled out.

• Cover a label on a package to keep it from being ripped off.

• When on a trip, attach a note on a mirror to tell your travel mate where you are.

• Tape prices on items at a garage sale.

DEAR HELOISE: My sister sends me scented soaps for gift-giving occasions. I always save the wrapper and put it inside my shoes or in a drawer. I take it out when I wear the shoes. These wrappers work as a free air freshener!

-- Joan, via email

DEAR HELOISE: I wanted to store some of my dad's books for him, but I didn't want that "musty, old" smell that books can get. So, I used a large plastic bin and placed the books inside. Then I took an old sock, put some activated charcoal inside it and tied up the open end. I put the sock with charcoal inside the plastic bin with the books. A year later, the books were still as fresh as the day they were bought.

-- Lucy L., Oakdale, Minn.

DEAR HELOISE: I have tried vinegar, and it works wonderfully, besides being inexpensive and versatile. For window cleaning, I prefer to use a squeegee versus paper towels or cloths.

A clean towel is necessary to wipe the bottom edge. To avoid the frustration of seeing streaks, I use up-and-down strokes (vertical) on one side and side-to-side strokes (horizontal) on the opposite side. This method eliminates the guesswork of going inside or outside if you see streaks.

-- Rich H., 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

[email protected]

ActiveStyle on 04/22/2019

Upcoming Events