Helpful Hints

DEAR HELOISE: My mom, a Texan born in 1918, first put me onto Hints from Heloise out of your mom after I was a younger girl, and I have been studying Heloise’s columns and books ever since.

In the previous few years, I’ve encountered a typical downside that in all probability drives different folks loopy, too: care labels printed in white ink contained in the backs of dark-colored T-shirts and different clothes. Even when these clothes are laundered in chilly water and dried on “low,” these labels put on off lengthy earlier than the garment does. Then, it is unattainable to resolve whether or not to clean the garment with “darks” or “lights,” or in “heat” or “chilly” water.

I perceive why producers and a few wearers favor to not have tags within the seams, however absolutely, they might discover a technique to connect or print a label that lasts the lifetime of the garment. My husband and I take advantage of the very best magnifying glass we’ve got to attempt to learn what’s left of a label if doable, after which discover an not noticeable place on the collar or hem of the garment to mark “C” or “W” to point wash temperature (chilly or heat) after which “L,”https://www.nwaonline.com/information/2022/nov/12/helpful-hints/”W,” or “LD” to point its drying course of (low, heat or line dry). The issue is that few laundry-marking pens typically are available black.

I hope this involves the eye of some producers. Thanks for making our lives simpler for therefore a few years.

— Cynthia E. Lyle,

San Antonio

DEAR HELOISE: I learn the letter about automotive restore outlets ripping off ladies, however they may even strive that with males. I bought an estimate as soon as for $2,200 for a catalytic converter as a result of my verify engine mild was on.

I do know vehicles just a little bit, and I assumed that sounded fully mistaken. After going to a different mechanic, it turned out to be an EGR valve, and it value me a $175 for the restore.

— Gregg Kreamer,

Fort Dodge, Iowa

DEAR HELOISE: I used to chortle at my mom for doing this, and now I do the identical: Whenever you end a field of cereal, take the bag that the cereal got here in, shake out the cereal crumbs and use it to wrap and retailer meat or hen. Then, simply throw it within the freezer.

Additionally, I take advantage of the plastic luggage that some pastas are available, like egg noodles, for a similar. I retailer floor beef and hen breasts in them — straightforward to squeeze the air out, fold and wrap. Thanks, Mother!

— Valerie Andrukiewicz,

Plainville, Conn.

DEAR HELOISE: After many, a few years of utilizing a spoon to wash seeds from cantaloupe (or different related melons), I began utilizing an ice cream scooper for this job. Works incredible.

— Dick Home,

Pinellas Park, Fla.

Ship a money- or time-saving trace to Heloise, P.O. Field 795001, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or e mail

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