Hints From Heloise: Keep the plumbing flowing

Dear Readers: With holidays here, people visiting and extra cooking and cleaning going on, you should take precautions so there are no problems with the PLUMBING! Here are hints for what is NOT OKAY to put down drains:

• NO grease, vegetable oils or fats down your kitchen sink!

• NO bones, fruit pits, shells, metal, vegetables (like celery), corn husks, artichokes or asparagus in the garbage disposal!

• NO cotton balls, facial tissue, bandages, sanitary napkins or paper towels down the toilet.

• NO medications, hair, lotions or cosmetics down the bathroom sink, either.

Follow the hints and you will lessen the likelihood of a plumbing problem. — Heloise

REUSABLE GROCERY BAGS

Dear Heloise: I try to remember to take my reusable cloth bags when shopping. I find I’m more likely to do so if they’re clean. I wash them periodically in cold water on the “gentle” setting, then air-dry them outside. To help me remember which of the bags are clean and which aren’t, I turn them inside out before washing them, then leave them that way until I take them to the store. I use them a few times before washing again.

When I mention to the clerks at the market that I’ve washed the bags, they are very appreciative and tell me they wish more shoppers washed their bags! — Lois Williams, Sacramento, Calif.

BUTTON LAMP

Dear Heloise: When my grandmother passed away, my brother and sister-in-law made me a lamp with an old canning-jar base and filled it with Grandma’s buttons. Very special! — Lana Smith, via e-mail

Lana, what a lovely idea. My readers responded with uses for buttons, and this is a favorite. Thank you so much for writing in and sharing this unique hint. — Heloise

COUPONING HINT

Dear Heloise: Like a recent reader, I, too, put an asterisk next to my list item when I have a coupon, but I write my shopping list on the back of an envelope and put the coupon in that envelope, and it’s right there for me when I reach the cashier.

My aunt used to write her list on the back of an old, used envelope (she was obviously a recycler before it was ever thought of). — Rosemarie Guzzardo, The Villages, Fla.

RENTAL CAR

Dear Heloise: As proof of the condition of a rental car at the onset of your trip, take photos. Dents, scratches, etc., can be documented. If you take a picture of it with the agent or other rentals in the background, that is further documentation of the “time” of the photos. — International traveler, via e-mail

FOIL LINING

Dear Heloise: I have trouble lining deep pans with foil. Sometimes the foil tears when trying to fit in the corners. I found that if I turn the pan over and form the foil over it, then I can fit it to the inside of the pan much more easily. — Tony Pizza, Camarillo, Calif.

Send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Tex. 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. Please include your city and state.

2011, King Features Syndicate