Hints From Heloise

ADDRESS BOOK INFO

Dear Heloise: While updating a new address book, it dawned on me that although I knew who everyone was, no one else did. If I died, how would anyone know who to contact? I started to write things, such as "Mary Jones, address, phone number and my hairdresser." Or "Bill Smith, handyman." I'm in my late 70s now, and I want to make things easier for my family when I am no longer here. -- Agnes K., Pierre, S.D. AUDIO BOOKS

Dear Heloise: I hate housework, but I love a clean house. So I clean. However, I found that if I listen to an audio book or music with my headphones, it makes the workload lighter. I seem to get finished quicker, and it's not such a chore. -Tracy L., Dumas, Texas

SERIAL NUMBERS

Dear Heloise: Whenever we buy something such as a car, refrigerator, camera or computer, I always take a picture, and on the back I write the serial number or some identifying number. This helped us get back several items that were stolen from our home while we were on vacation. They caught the thief when he tried to sell them. -- Samuel B., Bloomfield, N.J.

FLUFFY PILLOWS

Dear Heloise: Got flat pillows? Or a sweater that's not dirty but needs a little TLC? Just put them in the dryer for about 10 to 12 minutes, and they'll fluff up nicely. If you want to add a nice fresh scent, toss in a dryer sheet. I've used this method for years, and it's saved me a lot of money in dry cleaning bills. -- Janet P., Stanton, Calif.

ORGANIZATION NATION -- CHEESE LEADER

Dear Heloise: We love cheese in my family, and fresh-grated is just better, fresher and more flavorful. We use the old-style “knuckle-buster” metal box grater, but we turn it on its side. The grated cheese collects inside the grater and not on the counter. -- Harley R. in New Mexico EWWW ...

Dear Heloise: I am writing in reply to Kathryn L. from Michigan who wrote that she has her family use a towel for a week and believes that since they are clean after getting a bath the towel is clean and can be used for an extended period.

In reality is she is correct but also wrong. There is no soil, but those towels are contaminated with dead skin cells that the towel has exfoliated.

Those skin cells are a growth medium for airborne bacteria, and after about 48 hours, colonies of bacteria will be living and growing on them.

Some of the bacteria are harmless, but not all, depending on what is in the air or has been brought into the home.

I am not saying she should not do it if she chooses, but I think people should be aware of all the facts when making any choice. -- Carol S., RN in Ohio

COUNTING CRACKERS

Dear Heloise: I have always enjoyed your column. Keep up the good work. Here is my hint: When my daughters were young enough to be excited about their upcoming birthdays, but not old enough to fully understand days and weeks, I took two small bowls and counted out the days till their birthday.

I put that many goldfish crackers in each bowl. We kept the bowls on the kitchen table, and each morning with breakfast they would eat one goldfish and they could “see” how many days left until their birthday. It worked wonderfully. -- Terrilynn K., via email

FRESH BED

Dear Heloise: When making my bed each morning, I use a lint roller on the bottom sheet to pick up anything left on the sheet during the night; i.e., hair, dirt, lint, etc. -- Joyce B., Sebring, Fla.