HINTS FROM HELOISE
DEAR HELOISE:
This may be an old hint, but when I put on a pair of old rubber/latex gloves to do my dishes, I sprinkle talcum or baby powder into the gloves. Instead of struggling to get them off or on, my hands slide effortlessly into the gloves.
— Betty, Granada Hills, California
DEAR HELOISE: A reader suggested that grandparents practice math skills with their grandkids in the summer. Great idea! Every child should know multiplication at least by the time they enter middle school. During my school days, multiplication was taught in third grade and division in fourth. What is happening to education?
— O.B., Retired Teacher
DEAR HELOISE: Drivers can save 10 percent to 20 percent off their gas bill! The optimal speed for a car’s best gas mileage is 60 mph. For every 5 mph above 60 mph, your vehicle uses a whopping 10 percent more in gasoline. So, if gas costs $3.50 and you are traveling at 70 mph, it is costing you an added 70 cents per gallon, to the tune of $4.20/gallon!
— Dale, Dayton, Ohio
DEAR HELOISE: Toaster tongs have been mentioned recently in your column. Every home should have some. One year, I bought a few, tied a red ribbon on each and hung them on the Christmas tree as a decoration. When I had a party, each guest could take a pair home.
— Carolyn McDonough, via email
DEAR READERS: Summer is officially here, so keep your pets indoors during the heat of the day. Make sure, whether indoors or outdoors, that your pets have lots of cold, clean water.
— Heloise
DEAR READERS: After mopping a no-wax floor, add several capfuls of vinegar to the water to help remove any remaining soap film — and to leave the floor clean and shiny.
Vinegar is an indispensable and safe household product that can be used for cleaning, deodorizing and cooking. You can learn more uses for vinegar in my vinegar pamphlet “Fantabulous Vinegar Hints and More.” Get a copy by visiting www. Heloise.com or by sending $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (78 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001.
— Heloise
SEND A MONEY-SAVING or timesaving 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.
DEAR READERS: It’s turtle season! What should you do if you come across a turtle crossing the road? Getting it to safety is important, as is your safety. For a typical smaller turtle, pick it up with one hand on either side, between its front legs and hind legs. Keep it low to the ground; if it drops, it won’t be too far.
Allow the turtle to continue in the same direction it was going; don’t turn it around. Let the turtle complete its route; it has a job to do.
Let it be wild and free. Don’t move it to a different spot, or take it home as a pet. This will disorient the turtle, and it may try to escape, or worse, just quit eating.
— Heloise