Make sure to point out stains when going to dry cleaner

Dear Readers: At times, getting stains and spots out of clothing is tough. And often they just don’t come out, for a variety of reasons. When you go to the dry cleaner, make sure you identify the stains on your garments so the dry cleaner can take the correct steps to clean them. You can ask the dry cleaner about cleaning solutions and the possible outcomes. Some issues cannot be solved.

For example, fabric can shrink during dry cleaning, because manufacturers might not have preshrunk materials that were used in making the garments.

And the color can bleed because the dyes might not have been tested.

Be aware that some stains just cannot be removed because the garment would be ruined. And, take note, that if insects have damaged the fabric, the holes or tears might not appear until after the dry cleaning process.

Heloise

Dear Readers: When you notice your children aren’t playing with their toys, dolls or computer games anymore, they might have outgrown them and are bored with them. Ask them to make a pile of the toys they don’t want anymore.

Sort them by category and place in boxes. Then let your kids choose a local charity or shelter where they can donate all these unwanted items to children who don’t have many toys. They would be happy to have them.

Heloise

Dear Readers: The throw pillows on couches and beds get stale and dusty with so much use. Here’s an easy way to freshen them up. Put several pillows in the dryer on air or fluff only. Add a scented fabric

softener sheet. Run the dryer for a few minutes to remove the dust and freshen them.

Heloise

Dear Readers: To save time when you are cleaning, get several plastic totes and fill each one with all the cleaning supplies you use, along with microfiber cloths and a roll of paper towels. Put one under your kitchen sink, one in each bathroom and in the laundry room.

Then you won’t have to carry individual cleaning supplies to each area. Instead, you will have a complete set nearby in case of an emergency.

Heloise

Dear Readers: If you have several varieties of nuts in your freezer in sealed bags, they can come in handy. If company drops by unexpectedly, you can quickly create a crunchy nibble. Simply pour a bit of olive oil or add butter to a skillet. Then toss in a handful of those nuts and saute. Sprinkle the mixture with some seasoned salt or a bit of cayenne pepper.

Heloise

Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you fax it to 210-HELOISE. Email heloise@heloise.com.