Hints have been helpful through years

DEAR HELOISE: My husband and I were married in 1981, 41 years ago. We have eight children! Your column ran in our local newspaper, the Bryan Times, in Bryan, Ohio. I lived away from my family, so eagerly, I read your column every day in the paper. You seemed more like a sister and a friend with all your happy articles. I know your mother was the original Heloise. Bless her, too! All your household hints were used, and my house ran like clockwork! I loved so many of the little ideas that you shared.

I even remember a tip from your husband. He was a plumber. He said to pour hot water down the sinks to keep them running. I still follow that tip! Just this morning, I am copying some of your food tips for my daughters, such as making cinnamon butter, testing baking powder and making homemade vanilla extract. I wish that I could sit and have a cup of coffee with you! Love and hugs.

— Kathleen Fogarty, via email DEAR HELOISE: One day, after pouring out way too much maple syrup on his waffle, my husband tried an experiment. He opened a new bottle of salad dressing with a tight silver seal over the neck of the bottle. Then he searched for a pointed object and made a single hole through the seal in one spot, being sure to touch the rim of the bottle.

Low and behold, the experiment worked! It gave us accurate control of the quantity when pouring and saved us money, too. Now, nearly all of our bottles of liquids are treated this way. Then, one day, he went a step further. He put a hole in a pill bottle. Now, he can shake out one pill at a time.

— Priscilla Zanni, Vancouver, Wash. DEAR HELOISE: My dryer is 22 years old. When I put clothes in the dryer, I first check to be sure the filter is clean. When I take my dried clothes out, the first thing I do is empty the filter. I always empty the filter before I take clothes out. This is just a precaution. It’s simple to clean the filter. I wet two fingers, as I would when I turn a page in a book, and wipe off the lint.

To save on water and the water bill, when I’m running water to take a shower, I have a bucket in the bathtub to catch the water until it gets hot. Then, I use it to flush the commode or water my flowers.

I enjoy your column very much. We’re never too old to learn something new. I’m 89 years old and still open to suggestions. Hugs and best wishes from a fan! — Carlyn S. Howell,

Prattville, Ala.