HELPFUL HINTS
DEAR HELOISE: I recently returned from my honeymoon and wanted to get my wedding dress dry-cleaned and prepared for storage in the hope that one day I might have a daughter who’d want to wear it. After doing some research, I learned some very important things about preserving a wedding dress:
Only use a dry cleaner that specializes in wedding gowns. They’re usually more expensive, but compared with what you paid for the dress, it’s well worth the expense.
Store in a pH-neutral, opaque, breathable cloth bag, in the darkest place possible (not an attic and not a basement).
Make sure the dress is hung by the hanger straps sewn inside the dress.
Never use a plastic bag, and never fold or crease the dress.
If the dress is to be boxed, use acid-free tissue to stuff the dress and keep its form. All of the above apply to boxed dresses, too.
— Melissa T., Santa Rosa, Calif.
DEAR READERS: It’s believed that Shakespeare invented the word ”assassination.” What was the first product to have its bar code scanned? Chewing gum A snail can sleep for up to three years.
DEAR HELOISE: My sister and I are debating whether sugar is bad for children. She believes that giving her young son honey is OK because, in her mind, it’s not real sugar. Any suggestions on what we can use to substitute for sugar or honey? — Etta K., Cicero, Ill.
DEAR READER: Etta, there are any number of sugar substitutes on the market, but the best thing to do is wean him off sweets. Instead of candy, give him fruit; instead of a soft drink, give a small glass of fruit juice that has no added sugar. Be sure to read the labels on food, because so many processed foods contain added sugars. Since sugar can lead to health problems, it’s better to help this young boy develop healthy eating habits early in life.
DEAR HELOISE: If you miss your flight and discover that you have just enough time to catch another flight out, go to the other airline’s departure gate rather than the ticket counter. The other airline may honor the ticket for the missed flight if it happens to have an empty seat.
— Shawna G., Dover, Del.