HELPFUL HINTS
DEAR HELOISE: Recently, you compared the merits of granite counter tops to marble. Can you give a comparison between granite and quartz? I’m not sure what the difference is.
— Susan S., via email DEAR READER: Susan, let’s take a look. Quartz counter tops are manufactured, instead of taken directly from nature (mined), like granite and marble. Ground quartz, resin and coloring combine to make quartz counter tops. Bits of recycled glass also can be added. The resin in quartz counter tops makes for a nonporous surface; bacteria can’t penetrate it, and quartz doesn’t need to be sealed, unlike granite. Warm, soapy water is enough to clean quartz.
Big difference: Quartz counter tops are not heat-resistant. Granite is. A quartz counter can crack. Always use a hot pad or trivet on quartz.
The cost of installing quartz is comparable to natural stones.
The International Surface Fabricators Association (isfanow.org) has more good information about quartz counter tops. Thanks for your email!
DEAR HELOISE: I like to travel with my own pillow. So as not to leave it behind, I put on it a colorful pillowcase. Hotel linens are white; my pillow stands out.
— Debbie W., via email
DEAR HELOISE: My girlfriends and I share shoes. We are the same size, and this is a big money-saver! I have my own inserts, which mold the shoes to my feet.
— Gabby B. in San Antonio
DEAR HELOISE: A passion of mine is organizing things, which moves me to share with your readers something I do:
After making a list of things to buy for food shopping, I put each list into a separate threering plastic holder, along with coupons and the store membership card, and then file the holders into my “to-dos” three-ring binder for access when needed.
Thanks for sharing so many valuable ideas from you and your readers.
— Miss Maui Mary,
via email
DEAR HELOISE: My gripe is about all the women’s jeans with “fake” pockets. I need actual pockets! Thanks for all your wonderful hints; I am always learning something new! — Carol P., Front Royal, Va. Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email