More uses for plastic bags

Dear Heloise: We save plastic bags for many uses (T-shirt and newspaper types).

■ Fold the bags smooth. This will remove most of the wrinkles and the bags will look nicer when carrying a gift or treat to a friend. Store them in a container so you can get one at a time.

■ Pull the bag over your hand and up the arm to pull up poison ivy. Then pull down over the plant and trash it without getting the oil on your skin.

■ Line small trash cans throughout the home. It saves on buying liners and keeps trash cans clean.

■ Collect coffee grounds for composting. There will be liquid, so double-bag the trash can, remove the paper filters and dump into the compost container or on your acid-loving plants once a week.

■ Keep one in your car to collect trash.

■ Put one in your handbag. You never know when you might need it. — B.B. in Virginia

VINEGAR DEGREASING

Dear Readers: After you cook hamburgers, you can remove the splattered grease easily. Just spray the stovetop with vinegar and then wipe it down for a shiny, clean result. — Heloise

FLOWER VASES

Dear Heloise: Instead of throwing out flower vases after the flowers have dried, please drop them off at your local flower shop. It saves the landfill and reduces cost for the flower shop. — Janet Lee, in North Dakota

PET PAL

This is our favorite pet. His name is Rosko, and he is a 6-year-old Catahoula Leopard dog. He loves to swim and retrieve. — Catherine West, Van Nuys, California

Readers, to see Rosko and our other Pet Pals, go to Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.”

King Features Syndicate