HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR HELOISE: Those plastic zip-closure bags containing extra buttons that come attached to new clothes are great to use for jewelry. I place a jewelry piece in a bag with a small note identifying the special meaning of the jewelry — e.g., heirloom from Mom, etc. — so my children will know the special meaning of the pieces.

— M.M. in California DEAR READER: This is a wonderful way to pass on the meaning behind a piece of jewelry. According to the Jewelry Information Center, it’s important to keep jewelry separated so that it doesn’t get tangled together and damaged. Keeping things separated also makes them easier to access and wear more often.

The Jewelry Information Center recommends storing jewelry in a jewelry box that is fabric-lined, where it can stay dry and clean. If not, the JIC recommends wrapping each piece in tissue paper before placing it in storage.

If you have a few key pieces that you wear every day, place them in a small tray on top of your dresser or in your bathroom.

Wear your jewelry! Don’t save it for a special occasion. A quote from my mother that still rings true: If you don’t wear and enjoy your jewelry, the next wife will!

Lastly, if you have irreplaceable or very expensive pieces, they should be stored in a safe (but you still should wear them). Hope this helps.

DEAR HELOISE: I use the plastic “fake” cards that come in credit-card offers to cut collar stays for my dress shirts. I have an endless supply of stays now.

— Keith G., Alexandria, Va.

DEAR HELOISE: Laundry is one of the household chores that I really don’t like. And nothing is more aggravating than taking a shirt or pants out of the dryer to find a stain. I had a family meeting and told my teenage kids that it was going to be their responsibility to treat any stains on their clothing. I attached a stain stick to the underside of the hamper, and now the kids treat their clothes, and the stains are not as much of a problem as before.

— Anne in Minneapolis

DEAR HELOISE: My favorite hint is to put a piece of paper towel in all food containers and bags in the refrigerator and freezer to absorb moisture.

— Sharyn in Maryland