Tips for discarding meat, other scraps
Dear Heloise: A reader suggested freezing scraps that can spoil before pickup. Another way is to wrap the scraps in their original packaging or in a paper towel and microwave it on high for a minute or two until it’s above 180 F. Then just discard it in the trash without unwrapping. The heat will kill bacteria, preventing spoilage, and the intact wrapping will maintain sterility until pickup.
This works especially well for meat scraps and packaging with those pads that soak up juices. Just be sure to not seal the microwave parcel too tightly, or it will burst!
— Carl R., Fort Wayne, Indiana Dear Readers: When you bring a new pet into your home, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals warns that many common home items can be dangerous for your pet. Here are some to be aware of:
• Mothballs
• Fabric softener sheets
• Water-based paints
• Electrical cords
• Glue traps
• Batteries
Dear Heloise: My husband came home from work early to find one neighbor who had invited another neighbor we didn’t know and her niece to use our pool. We put a lock on our gate “on the advice of our insurance company.”
— A Reader from Connecticut
Dear Readers: Car trunk carpeting needs to be freshened? Sprinkle lots of baking soda over it, leave it on for a couple of days and then vacuum.
Dear Heloise: I just read about the woman in Indiana who framed her christening gown. Many years ago, I was entrusted with my husband’s family’s gown that had been worn by every child in their family since the year 1900. It became too fragile, so I did the same thing she did. It’s been a treasure!
I also replicated this dress for the next generation to wear, and the first great-grandchild wore it. My mother-in-law was still with us then, and she got to see him in it and be part of the ceremony. Thanks for all the great ideas!