Pod problems
Dear Heloise: I enjoy reading your column in our (Warren, Ohio) Tribune Chronicle. A question came up after a friend had to replace her dishwasher.
She was advised not to use the new soap pods; the plastic wrappers could become trapped in the mechanisms. She now uses a gel-type liquid. What say you? — Alice C., Warren, Ohio
Hey, Alice! Thanks for writing. Consumers have voiced concerns on this subject; here’s what a leading detergent pod maker advises:
n There may be a blockage in the dishwasher, which can prevent water from dissolving the pod, or
n The pod may adhere to the wall of the dishwasher. This usually happens if your hands are wet when you put the pod in the dishwasher. Dry hands are a must.
A plumber we contacted advised: Clean the dishwasher once a month (the calcium in hard water can gum up the dishwasher). A commercial cleaner is fine, or use vinegar. — Heloise
WHY NOT?
Dear Heloise: I read with interest a letter in your column on the scents in men’s moisturizers. Why not just use unscented women’s products, which are easy to find? I see nothing on the labels barring men from using them. — M.B., via email
PERFECT PRACTICE
Dear Heloise: I love all your recipes and have collected them for years (just ordered your recipe pamphlets, too!). I’ve realized that there are many cherished family recipes that no one has written down, so I have made it a point to invite myself over to my mother’s home, great aunts’ and grandparents’ to watch them make/bake/cook a family favorite. They love the attention, and it is a lovely way to stay in touch.
They never measure, so I’m sure to stop them (they usually laugh and say, “Why?”) to measure ingredients myself, and write down the details. — Nora M., Howell, N.J.
A great idea with the holiday season right around the corner! — Heloise
SOAK IT UP
Dear Heloise: I keep a dry sponge in the refrigerator. It absorbs moisture, and can keep produce fresher a bit longer. — Gemma E. in Pennsylvania