Dear Heloise: Awhile back, you asked your readers for ideas for inventions. I replied that I needed a way to put lotion on my back. My sister said she uses a rubber spatula meant for the kitchen, so I got a spatula specifically designated for this use. What a godsend! I wipe it off with a tissue. No more itchy back!
— Beverly G., A Devoted Reader
LIGHT BULB HINT
Dear Heloise: Occasionally, the glass portion of a light bulb will separate from its metal base that remains screwed into the socket. This can often be difficult to remove. But with the light switched off, you can insert a wine cork and unscrew the base to safely remove it.
— Jane, from Vermont
MAKING THE BED
Dear Heloise: I read your hints daily and get a lot of useful ideas! Here’s one of my own:
I put a black permanent marker dot on the side edge of the contour sheets so I know which part of the sheet goes on that side. Then I don’t have to figure out which pocket goes on which corner of the mattress. It’s easier to make the bed this way.
— Karen S., The Villages, Florida
Karen, there is also another method. The manufacturer’s label goes at the bottom of the bed, so you can just look for it instead.
— Heloise
WASTE NOT, WANT NOT
Dear Heloise: I received a hand-me-down skirt from a friend. It fit perfectly but was way too long. I cut 10 inches off the hem and hemmed it by machine. There was this beautiful piece of fabric left for a belt or a shawl, so I hemmed it, too.
— Corinne B., via email
LEFTOVERS GALORE
Dear Heloise: I come from a large Italian family of good cooks. At nearly every family event, we have lots of food and, in fact, often too much food. I always send people home with leftovers because so many of us work at jobs that are in an office. Getting out to some place for lunch is difficult and expensive. The leftovers are never wasted, and we all can have a tasty lunch.
So, for the lady who didn’t like people bringing food to her luncheon or some other kind of gathering, just send all the leftovers home with your friends. Most people appreciate it when all they have to do is heat up a delicious meal.
— Rosanna B., Bloomington, Indiana
NO MORE GUESSWORK
Dear Heloise: When I bring a new extension cord home, I immediately write the name on the plug in permanent marker. It saves a lot of guesswork. Also, I mark new appliances, furnaces, etc., with the purchase date.
— Tanya, Decatur, Illinois
Tanya, I always mark the date of purchase on my appliances. This way, I know when it was bought and how long it lasted. I was recently surprised to learn that my dryer was bought 24 years ago. Needless to say, I bought the same brand when I had to replace the dryer!
— Heloise
PREVIOUS ARTICLE
