Aug 10, 2011 3 min read

Dear Heloise: I stumbled on this trick and thought I would pass it along to you. I have one of those old, inexpensive SLOW-COOKER POTS with the inner cooker that does NOT come out for easy cleaning. I was trying to find a way to clean a few burnt meat spots.

I noticed a box of baking soda on the counter near the sink. I had replaced the box of baking soda in the refrigerator. I sprinkled about 2 tablespoons into the “wet” pot and scrubbed it with a stiff nylon brush. A couple of minutes later, it was totally clean. This works great and is very quick on woks, cookie sheets and muffin tins.

So my hint is this: Keep a box of baking soda by the sink for quick cleaning of pans. When the box runs out, grab the box from the refrigerator and replace it with a new box. — Dennis D., Houston

You are absolutely right, and baking soda is one of my favorite cleaners and deodorizers. It will save you lots of money when you use it all over the house. To find out the many handy uses, just send $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (64 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Baking Soda, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Baking soda can be slightly abrasive if used dry, so always put some on a damp sponge before using it on surfaces that may scratch. — Heloise

MAGAZINE PAGES

Hi, Heloise: I read the letter in the Houston Chronicle about asking people not to tear recipes and articles out of magazines at doctor’s offices.

I have found many recipes while at my nail shop with no copier available. I took pictures of the page(s) with my cellphone! — Jan Westfaul, via email

CAREFUL MIXING

Dear Heloise: Do NOT use surgical gloves to mix a salad. There is a large segment of the population that is allergic to the latex in these gloves, which can lead to life-threatening reactions. If you decide to use gloves, be sure they are vinyl or plastic. Most people will not react to these. — Barbara R., via email

Thanks for the reminder! — Heloise

REFRIGERATOR MAGNETS

Dear Heloise: I recently purged my refrigerator magnets and kept a very selective, favorite few in the kitchen on the refrigerator. I put the overflow on the upright freezer in the utility room — for a much cleaner, sharper look in the kitchen!! That way, I still have access to the “others” but do not have the cluttered look. — Pat King, Cypress, Texas

BREAKFAST SANDWICHES

Dear Heloise: My family loves breakfast sandwiches from fast-food restaurants, but they can get expensive. To save time and money, we gather ingredients and, on a Saturday morning, form an assembly line. One person toasts and butters the muffins, another fries eggs, etc. We wrap them individually and freeze for a quick and tasty breakfast. — Karen from Pennsylvania

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