Hints From Heloise

LUGGAGE ID

Dear Heloise: Recently, my husband and I took a wonderful trip to Peru. I purchased a new set of luggage. Not satisfied that we could easily identify our luggage in crowded airports when we returned, I decided to stencil something personal on all of our suitcases on both sides. I used fabric paint and decided on a cat theme, but with the large selection of stencils, one could really create something suitable for men and women.

We were delighted when throngs of people squeezed in tight to collect their luggage and we saw them tug at and then replace one bag after another. No one ever mistook ours for theirs, and we were able to nab the right ones off right away. -- Lynn Lamb, Spokane, Wash.

LABEL REMOVAL

Dear Heloise: I love saving jars to reuse, but some labels are very hard to remove. I hate wasting water, so I no longer fill a sink or bowl to soak the labels off jars. I just wrap the jar with a folded dishcloth that I have soaked with water. Even the most stubborn labels slide right off. I usually leave this on overnight, so I won't be tempted to keep checking on the progress every hour. If you have to scrape off any part of the label, leave it on longer. -- K.C. Frye, San Juan, Texas

EASY SHEET ID

Dear Heloise: To differentiate between the sizes of sheets for different beds, buy a different color for each size. I have beige for king, green for double and blue for queen. Also, I always buy a striped pattern that runs from headboard to foot so I won't waste time trying to figure out which way the sheets run. -- Marilynne Gates, via e-mail

(c)2007 by King Features Syndicate Inc.