HELPFUL HINTS
DEAR HELOISE: I was organizing the space under the sink in my laundry room and noticed that some cans and bottles had “dirt” on them. I couldn’t think of where that had come from. Then I noticed that the hinges on the cabinet door were terribly rusty.
My plumber was over, and I asked him if he knew why the hinges would be rusty. He asked wha t I kept in the cabinet. I told him I kept my cleaning products in it, and some are commercial grade. He said the vapors from the chemicals were most likely the cause, especially the commercial toilet-bowl cleaner.
I’m not keeping those chemicals under the sink anymore. And the “dirt” was rust dust. Be careful what you store in your cabinets, even under the sink. — Pam K., Roswell, N.M. DEAR READER: This is a valuable lesson to learn, and you are nice to send it along as an alert for readers. May I add my 2 cents? Do be sure the cabinet cannot be opened by a child.
DEAR HELOISE: I occasionally go to the bank and get one or two packs of $2 bills. I use them for tips and to mail to folks soliciting for charitable donations. I also take a bunch of them with me when I travel internationally … and sometimes give one to a precocious youngster.
— Gary Ramsey, Texas DEAR READER: There is just something extra special about a $2 bill, especially when handed to someone not expecting it or getting one when out and about.
DEAR HELOISE: Several people commented on having to take bottles of medicines to their medical appointments. Another option is to get a computer flash drive to store that information on. They come in a variety of colors and styles (if you have more than one person who needs this), can be clipped onto necklaces, key rings, a medical-alert device or even can come built into a medical-information bracelet.
The medical provider simply plugs the flash drive into the computer, and the information is available. Some primary-care physician offices actually give these to their patients! When the provider updates the medical list, the updated information can be stored on the drive for the patient to take to the next medical appointment. — Margaret H. (nurse practitioner), via email