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Carts not trash baskets

6 min read

Dear Readers: Here is this week’s SOUND OFF, about supermarket carts:

“When my hubby and I grocery-shop, we each bring in a cart and come out with no carts. It is so easy to do this. My gripe is: When did shopping carts become personal wastebaskets? The things left in them can be disturbing.” — Polly K., Mission Viejo, Calif.

Polly, I hope not too disturbing! A shopping list, plastic produce bag or hand wipe might be left behind, but most anything beyond that can be yucky! There usually are trash cans by the entry/exit door. Folks, toss YOUR trash. — Heloise

P.S.: Polly, thanks for the reminder to take a “stray” shopping cart into the store.

SEND A HINT TO:

Heloise

P.O. Box 795000

San Antonio, TX 78279-5000

Fax: 1-210-HELOISE

Email: Heloise@Heloise.com

FAST FACTS

Dear Readers: Here are other uses for small plastic pots that plants come in:

n Use as a scoop for potting soil when planting.

n Prop up a painting project so sides are easier to paint.

n Sort nuts and bolts in a garage.

n Use to start new seedlings in.

n Make into a yarn or twine dispenser. Pull the yarn through one hole.

— Heloise

SUNSCREEN SPOTS

Dear Heloise: Help! I seem to have sunscreen stains on my swimsuits! I think I remember reading about you telling us how to get rid of them. Help! — E. Williams, Key West, Fla.

You did read it here, and it’s time for a reprint. Use straight liquid laundry detergent and pour it onto the stains. Sort of rub in with your fingers or a soft old toothbrush, then let sit for 30 minutes or so. It’s important to give the detergent “work time” rather than washing right away. The swimsuits then can be hand-washed in cool water. Dry by hanging up in the shower, then check to see if the stain is gone. If not, re-treat. Try to apply sunscreen and let it dry and absorb before putting your swimsuit on, or use care when slapping on sunscreen.

Have fun, but be safe in the sun! — Heloise

CLEAN THE RUGS

Dear Heloise: Once a month or so, I shake out and wash the area rugs we place by the doors and the dog beds. You would be surprised how dirty they can get. The dog one does get a little stinky, too. Most of them I just throw in the washing machine and then let air-dry. — Lynette in Warren, Ohio

Lynette, how right you are. — Heloise

WATER WITH CUBES

Dear Heloise: Whenever I am done drinking a glass of water, I dump the ice cubes into my potted plants. The ice melts slowly, and there is no overflow of water that sometimes happens. — Romda in Atlanta

DRY HANDS

Dear Heloise: I wash my hands a lot during the day, and they get so dry. I now keep a bottle of lotion next to every sink in the house. As soon as I dry my hands, I put lotion on. No more dry, cracked hands. — Amanda, via email

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HINTS FROM HELOISE

BY HELOISE

Groceries, Not Garbage

Dear Readers: Here is this week’s SOUND OFF, about supermarket carts:

“When my hubby and I grocery-shop, we each bring in a cart and come out with no carts. It is so easy to do this. My gripe is: When did shopping carts become personal wastebaskets? The things left in them can be disturbing.” — Polly K., Mission Viejo, Calif.

Polly, I hope not too disturbing! A shopping list, plastic produce bag or hand wipe might be left behind, but most anything beyond that can be yucky! There usually are trash cans by the entry/exit door. Folks, toss YOUR trash. — Heloise

P.S.: Polly, thanks for the reminder to take a “stray” shopping cart into the store.

SEND A GREAT HINT TO:

Heloise

P.O. Box 795000

San Antonio, TX 78279-5000

Fax: 1-210-HELOISE

Email: Heloise(at)Heloise.com

FAST FACTS

Dear Readers: Here are other uses for small plastic pots that plants come in:

n Use as a scoop for potting soil when planting.

n Prop up a painting project so sides are easier to paint.

n Sort nuts and bolts in a garage.

n Use to start new seedlings in.

n Make into a yarn or twine dispenser. Pull the yarn through one hole.

— Heloise

SUNSCREEN SPOTS

Dear Heloise: Help! I seem to have sunscreen stains on my swimsuits! I think I remember reading about you telling us how to get rid of them. Help! — E. Williams, Key West, Fla.

You did read it here, and it’s time for a reprint. Use straight liquid laundry detergent and pour it onto the stains. Sort of rub in with your fingers or a soft old toothbrush, then let sit for 30 minutes or so. It’s important to give the detergent “work time” rather than washing right away. The swimsuits then can be hand-washed in cool water. Dry by hanging up in the shower, then check to see if the stain is gone. If not, re-treat. Try to apply sunscreen and let it dry and absorb before putting your swimsuit on, or use care when slapping on sunscreen.

Have fun, but be safe in the sun! — Heloise

CLEAN THE RUGS

Dear Heloise: Once a month or so, I shake out and wash the area rugs we place by the doors and the dog beds. You would be surprised how dirty they can get. The dog one does get a little stinky, too. Most of them I just throw in the washing machine and then let air-dry. — Lynette in Warren, Ohio

Lynette, how right you are. — Heloise

WATER WITH CUBES

Dear Heloise: Whenever I am done drinking a glass of water, I dump the ice cubes into my potted plants. The ice melts slowly, and there is no overflow of water that sometimes happens. — Romda in Atlanta

DRY HANDS

Dear Heloise: I wash my hands a lot during the day, and they get so dry. I now keep a bottle of lotion next to every sink in the house. As soon as I dry my hands, I put lotion on. No more dry, cracked hands. — Amanda, via email

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