Here’s how to clean your fresh greens

Dear Heloise: What’s the best way to safely wash greens? I love a fresh, delicious salad this time of year.— Kelly T. in San Antonio

Kudos, Kelly, for eating greens! Here are a few hints:

Wash greens immediately before eating, not when you first bring them home.

From a head of lettuce, bunch of spinach or stalk of kale, cut fork-size pieces (1 inch) and submerge in a bowl of cold water.

Give it time for the dirt particles (it comes from the earth, after all) to fall to the bottom of the bowl (about 15 minutes).

Reach in and grab the greens and transfer to a colander. DON’T dump the bowl into the colander; you’ll redeposit sediment back over and into the greens.

Either spin-dry in a lettuce spinner or blot dry in paper or cloth toweling.

—Heloise

Back-To-School Clothes

Dear Heloise: It’s not quite time for back to school yet, but when shopping for clothes for my children, I bring them along. I allow them to have a say in what is purchased. If they don’t like it, they won’t wear it.

Of course, there are boundaries—short shorts, crop tops and muscle shirts are a “no,” but we compromise on a T-shirt with a favorite band on it.—Jessica M. in Ohio

By Hook Or By Crook

Dear Heloise: I carry a large plastic hook with me in my purse. It comes in handy in a public restroom to hang my bag on. Many stalls don’t provide hooks.

And when I’m finished, I pull the paper down off the roll for the next patron. This is a big courtesy.—Ellen M. in New Jersey

Hint For Him

Dear Heloise: My husband had a problem with ring around the collar. I took plain white chalk and rubbed it into the collar. Then I launder as usual, and I ask my husband to wash his neck better! We love your column.—J.M.R. in Florida