Extra sponge can keep shower cleaner

DEAR HELOISE: I buy a fourpack of inexpensive sponges and use one in the shower in place of a squeegee. A squeegee drags the water down, and it pools in the door runners, causing gunk, mildew, possibly mold and one more cleaning job.

Before I get out of the shower, i use the sponge, wiping from the top of the glass door to the bottom, wringing it as I go. Unlike the squeegee, the sponge absorbs the water, resulting in a cleaner, clearer shower door. Sponges are cheap, and since it’s not being used for anything else, you don’t have to change it out very often.

—Barbara Hanke, via email DEAR HELOISE: Nancy D. from Florida recently wrote to say a family was having a hard time settling the financial accounts of recently passed away relative. Once someone passes, the family should never be doing transactions on a person’s account online. Only a court-appointed executor should be doing any transactions, and they usually have to set up a new account to hold funds until the estate is settled.

Rather than a list of passwords, people should have a list of accounts, including checking, savings, investments and credit cards. The only passwords should be to turn off things like Facebook and other non-financial accounts.

—Lori Belding, a banker from Barre, Vt.

DEAR HELOISE: I’d like to share my hint: Want to keep your curling iron cord stored neatly in the drawer? I re-fold the cord the way it is purchased, hold it against the handle, then slip the cord and handle into an empty cardboard toilet paper tube. No more twist ties, rubber bands or elastic hair ties needed. The tubes are free and always available. When they get worn out, recycle them and grab another. I also use a tube for the cord on my iron. I fold the cord into the tube and then slip the tube into the handle of the iron for storage. I read your column in the Statesman Journal.

— Leanne McCurdy, Salem, Ore.

DEAR HELOISE: I remember a column from several months back where you were telling a person how to get rid of weevils in her pantry. Many years ago, my wife was cleaning our pantry of weevils. I told her I could end the problem permanently.

While she cleaned, I went to the lumber store and purchased some cedar plywood. I measured and cut several pieces slightly smaller than our shelves. I attached a piece to the bottom of each shelf in the pantry and spice cabinet. I then did the same to the bottom of the other cabinets in the rest of the kitchen. Finally, I attached squares of the cedar plywood to the back of closet doors. The bugs are gone. This was over 30 years ago, and our house is bug-free still.