HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR READERS: Today’s Sound Off is about the early holiday decorations already up in many stores. A reader wrote: “We are barely out of ‘Back to School’ sales, and already stores are setting up for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas! What’s up with that?

“Why can’t these stores let us breathe a little bit before the holiday rushes begin? These stores put out so many decorations that I dread going in to shop. It’s just too much, too soon.”

— Rita T., Austin, Texas Rita, you do make a valid complaint, as I’ve heard many people lament about this same issue. But let me give you another perspective to consider.

Many of these stores are generally craft stores or have sections devoted to crafting. People who make things to sell before the holidays or to give as gifts during the holidays need to get a head start on their projects. These stores bank on crafters buying their supplies from them.

DEAR READERS: Recently, we had a question about underarm stains. Here’s yet another hint on how to remove them:

“Dear Heloise: My husband wears old white T-shirts when working outside. They can get pretty nasty, especially during the summer months in Texas. The armpits are the worst, and I can’t seem to get the stains out as well as I’d like to. I’d appreciate any ideas you might have on dealing with this laundry problem?”

— Vicky R. in San Antonio Vicky, sweat and odor stains can be removed easily enough. Turn the shirts inside out and place inside a sink or large bowl. Pour full-strength household vinegar and allow to soak 30 minutes or so, then wash as normal. Vinegar is safe to use over and over again, so treating his shirts as often as needed will be OK.

DEAR HELOISE: I use liquid soap in my kitchen and bathroom, but I still like the smell of some of the bar soaps you can find at trade and craft shows. Sometimes I just can’t help buying some. When I do, I place them inside my clothes drawers, still sealed in their paper packaging. Eventually my clothes take on a faint scent from the soap, which I love. The one I have in my sock drawer has been there for three years, and it is still going strong.

— Allison B. in Houston Heloise@Heloise.com