Litter waste goes in reusable bags
Dear Heloise: For cat’s litter boxes, I use clumping cat litter. When scooping/cleaning the litter box, I had used plastic grocery store bags, but I found this wasteful and environmentally unfriendly. Now, I use the bags from food items (tortillas, bread, frozen vegetables, cereal, etc.). These are bags I have readily available, and reusing them seems less wasteful than just throwing them away. — Kelly Fontaine, Claremont, New Hampshire
BOX FAN HACK
Dear Heloise: Will you please tell your many readers who may not have central air conditioning and depend on portable fans, such as box fans, about this old-fashioned trick? To maximize the cooling effects of the fan, wet and wring out a large towel and hang it in front of the fan. The air will be much cooler as it blows through the towel. — Louisa Steel
BABY SHOWER GIFT IDEAS
Dear Heloise: For baby shower gifts, I rarely ever get anything off the gift registry list. Instead, I go to the local dollar store and pick up a small plastic tub (any shape), or I’ll get a non-collapsible step stool and turn it upside down.
I start out outlining the tub/step stool with diapers, then fill it with practical items such as socks, bags for disposing dirty diapers when traveling, washcloths, teethers, safety pins, and a foldable potty seat (chain stores have these) to place on top of a toilet seat when the child is older so they don’t fall in.
This potty seat is great for traveling, when kids have to use a public restroom, or when visiting friends and relatives who don’t own potty-training chairs.
Once you know whatever theme the baby’s room will be, include a stuffed animal or toy to go along with that theme, such as a deer if the baby’s room is a camouflage theme. You can also include a small book to start their home library.
These are just a few of my favorites. The possibilities are endless. I often pick up items when I find them on sale and have them ready in advance for when needed. — Ruth C., Salado, Texas
SAVING PLASTIC LIDS
Dear Heloise: I save plastic lids that are usually thrown out from deli containers, cottage cheese containers, dips, etc., and use them on the side of the stove to rest cooking utensils on. They can be cleaned and reused, or just thrown out when you are done. — Grandma, via email
SECURING GROCERY BAGS
Dear Heloise: When I shop for groceries, I often put bags in the back seat, either on the floor or the seat. To ensure that they don’t fall over or shift while I’m driving, I loop the seat belt through their handles. It keeps all the bags straight up and secure. This is a very simple way to avoid any messes or losses. — Jean Milici, Torrington, Connecticut
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.