Use the ‘Five F’s’ to cut back on clutter around the home

DEAR READERS: Use these “Five F’s” to organize your home. It will only take 5 minutes a day to handle the clutter that can build up.

1. File it — Sort and file paperwork, bills and coupons that have piled up.

2. Forward it — Take objects or items that are scattered about and move them to where they should be.

3. Fix it — Collect all items that need to be repaired and get them fixed.

4. Fill it in — Complete school permissions forms, insurance forms and bills.

5. Forget about it — Toss it, pass it on, donate it to charity or take to the recycle bin.

Heloise

DEAR READERS: Microfiber cloths are key tools in household cleaning. They are effective in cleaning just about everything by wiping off grime and dust.

But they do need to be cleaned. Here’s how. Machine-wash them in warm, soapy water, but wash them separate from towels because the microfiber will attach to the lint from the towels in the water, and then it will stay on the cloth. Do not use fabric softener or chlorine bleach, because those items will make the cloth lose its effectiveness. Tumble dry on low heat. Be aware that microfiber can melt at high heat, so do not iron these cloths.

Heloise

DEAR READERS: Bacteria can grow on plastic or wooden cutting boards. After using, always wash and sanitize to eliminate bacteria. Try this to properly clean a cutting board.

First, wash the board in hot, soapy water. Then soak it for

HELOISE

about 1 to 2 minutes in a mixture of 3 tablespoons of household bleach and 1 gallon of water. Rinse and dry well with a paper towel or air-dry.

Heloise

DEAR READERS: To get rid of the odor in plastic food containers, scrub the inside with a paste of baking soda and water. Then wash as you usually do. This should be enough. But if the smell does not dissipate, you should repeat this process. You also might need to air out containers that have been sitting with lids on them for a while.

Heloise

DEAR READERS: When you need a dessert in a hurry, try this no-bake cheesecake.

1. Mix 1 package of vanilla pudding according to directions.

2. Then add 1 8-ounce package of softened cream cheese and mix until blended.

3. Pour mixture into a prepared graham cracker pie crust and refrigerate until set.

4. Top with your favorite canned pie filling.