How to get the most from your toothpaste tube
Dear Heloise: I read your daily hints, and occasionally, people suggest cutting open toothpaste tubes to get every little bit out of the tube. That can be messy, and really is not necessary. When the toothpaste tube is near the end, all you need is something flat, like the back of a comb. Lay the tube of toothpaste down on a flat surface, take the comb, press down on the bottom of the tube and drag it to the top using pressure. This will push every last drop of the toothpaste out of the tube. Thank you for all of your handy hints and tips. I look forward to reading them every day.
— Ken Drexler, Wapakoneta, Ohio
Save those sleeves
Dear Heloise: In response to the lady in Moreno Valley, Calif., that re-uses plastic newspaper sleeves for dog droppings and packing material. Several years ago, my carrier told me that they have to buy the sleeves from the newspaper. After that, I began saving my sleeves for her to reuse. I have since returned hundreds of sleeves, saving her many dollars. Every morning, she will go up my driveway to leave my paper on the front porch. On occasion, I will leave her a thank you note with a gift card to Dunkin Donuts or McDonald’s.
— Jack Bevilockway, Lima, Ohio
Auto shop dress code
Dear Heloise: Years ago, I always went to the auto repair shop in a dress or skirt with heels after work. My car bills were always high, regardless of the problem. Even as a college graduate, my salary was low, and I was a single mom at the time. Since then, I’ve been given this advice: “Dress down when going to the shop so they don’t think you’re rich, and they will charge you less. But, dress up to go to a medical specialist.” (They will explain things to you more in-depth because you will appear more educated.) Appearance does matter.
— Ann Reynolds, via email
Fire alarms difficult to replace
Dear Heloise: ‘Tis the season to change the batteries in our fire alarms. However, it is not easy if you are a senior or have a disability. Climbing up in a ladder, trying to read the small print on how to open it, then trying to dislodge and replace the batteries is quite daunting. I can certainly understand why batteries aren’t replaced or devices don’t get updated. Manufacturers, there must be a better way. Please make it so.
— P.K., Springfield, Ill.
Changing fitted sheets
Dear Heloise: Some people may not know that many natural fabrics (cotton, linen, wool) will stretch a bit if pulled on the bias or diagonally. Using that knowledge can make changing fitted bottom sheets on a mattress easier. Place it on one corner and then the opposite bottom corner. Then, place it on the other bottom corner and then the remaining top corner. The sheet will stretch just enough to ease onto the mattress without a struggle.
— Louisa S., via email
Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.