Utensil helpful in reaching bottom of washer

Dear Heloise: I am only 5 feet tall. The drum on my washing machine is very deep – I can’t reach small items on the bottom when transferring to the dryer.

I keep a plastic spaghetti fork hanging next to my washer. The plastic doesn’t scratch the drum, and the fork grabs the smallest items. It’s a great helper.

I have been asked how to clean microfiber cleaning cloths, so here are the instructions:

■ First, separate the microfiber cloths from the rest of your laundry, because these will be washed separately.

■ Pre- treat the cloths if they are stained.

■ Use your regular laundry soap, but do not use a fabric softener on microfiber.

■ Set the dryer to medium, or better yet, dry the cloths on a line outside, weather permitting.— Heloise

Dear Heloise: My 16-yearold son is bugging me about getting a tattoo. I don’t know what to say except “No.” Are there any dangers to tattooing? How do I get him to reconsider a mark like that, which will be with him for many years?

K., Upland, Calif.

Linda, tell your son to think before he inks. Tattoos can and have killed job opportunities for many people. There are some serious issues to consider:

■ Infections: Dirty needles can pass infections from one person to another.

■ Allergies: Allergies to various inks can occur.

■ Scarring: Unwanted scar tissue may cause scarring when getting or removing a tattoo.

■ Granulomas: These are small knots or lumps that form around material that the body perceives as foreign, such as tattoo pigment.

■ You may not like the results: There are tattoo artists whose work is not professional. Skill varies from one artist to another.

Dear Readers: Here are some items you might consider taking to someone who is in the hospital ( but always check with the nurses to see what is allowed in a patient’s room):

■ A small room freshener ( no candles) to freshen the room.

■ A packet of mints or breath fresheners is nice.

■ Various magazines/ books on subjects that interest the patient.

■ Hand/body lotion — unscented is best — or moist towelettes.

Dear Heloise: I have a pet sitter stay at our home to care for our beloved dogs when we travel. For my peace of mind, I change the ID tags on their collars to reflect the pet sitter’s cellphone number instead of mine.

This is especially important when we’re on long trips, sometimes out of the country or on a cruise ship. Heloise answers letters only in her King Features Syndicate column. Write her at P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000 or send a fax to 1-210-HELOISE