Hints From Heloise

Making Moves Easier

Dear Heloise: I have a hint that should help with MOVING. We'd moved many times throughout the years, and in the early years, it was always a disaster, even when a nationally known moving company did the job. If you are going to be moved by a commercial company, do your own packing of whatever you consider essential, and label those boxes. I found that it was best to do all the household packing, and I numbered each box, with a corresponding number in a notebook, listing everything in that particular box. When our shipment arrived, I had only to look at my lists to see which boxes we needed immediately. Some were stacked in the garage for months, as nothing in them was essential.

On our last move, I went to the new residence and used nondamaging tape to attach a photo of the furniture I wanted placed in that spot. The movers also had a map of the house to help. I stayed at the old residence to do all the last-minute cleaning so it would be perfect for the new owners. When I arrived at our new home, all the furniture was placed exactly where it was wanted. The movers told me it was the easiest job they had ever done. -- Annette Cheny, via e-mail

SEND A GREAT HINT TO:

Heloise

P.O. Box 795000

San Antonio, TX 78279-5000

Fax: 210-HELOISE

E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com

TRAVEL HINT

Dear Heloise: When traveling, I like to pack two or three hangers that have clips on them so I can hang things to dry. I also take a few clothespins. They don't take up much room, and they often come in handy. -- Armida Brashears, Huntington Beach, Calif.

BLEACH SPOTS

Dear Heloise: I read a letter from a reader regarding bleach spots on towels from toothpaste. Your readers should know that the same thing can happen from topical acne medications that contain benzoyl peroxide. We were getting bleach spots on hand and bath towels, clothing and pillowcases. I discovered that it was due to the medication my sons were using on their faces. In some cases, they weren't washing their hands thoroughly enough after application. In others, like the pillowcases, it was from direct contact with the face. I instructed them to wash their hands after application and bought some white pillowcases. -- Susan, via e-mail

EASY ORGANIZATION

Dear Heloise: I had a hard time organizing business cards, sticky notes and other odds and ends that contained important reference information -- until I came across an old telephone alphabetical card file. I wasn't using it for anything, and now I have all my reference notes at my fingertips. I put all pertinent information on a card and store it in the file alphabetically, so it is easy to look up a reference when I am in a hurry. If I need to, I can take the reference card with me and put it back when I am finished. Works wonderfully, and it's recycling, too! -- Melita in Laredo, Texas

(c)2008 by King Features Syndicate Inc.