LITTLE ROCK — DEAR HELOISE: Sometimes service-repair workers show up without covers to protect the carpets/floors when they have to walk through. I have found that the cheapest white tablecloths from the discount store work great. Fold lengthwise for double-strength coverage. Tape the ends with a wide tape that does not leave residue on the carpet/floor. The tape will keep the temporary floor runner in place and keep the ends from tripping up the repair person.
- Mary A., via e-mail
DEAR READER: I’d love to hear from the professionals on this issue. You could ask them to take their shoes off, like folks in Hawaii do.
DEAR HELOISE: Help! I shrunk one of my favorite sweaters. Is there anything I can do to reshape it?
- A Reader, via e-mail
DEAR READER: I do have an old-fashioned remedy that might help if the sweater has shrunk only a small bit, not several sizes. Fill your sink with cool water and add 2 tablespoons of regular hair shampoo. Soak the sweater for 30 minutes, then gently squeeze out the excess water. Do not rinse the sweater - simply lay it on a towel and roll it up to remove moisture.Unroll and gently stretch it back into shape, and block it on a flat towel. Prior to washing, trace around the sweater. Once out of the washing machine, you now have a guide for reshaping your sweater.
DEAR HELOISE: When my father died, I fell heir to a couple dozen unused check registers. I have developed some ways to use them:
Keep one with my blood pressure monitor to record blood pressures, pulse, dates and times.
Carry one in my purse on which to jot notes, addresses, etc.
Keep one on my desk to keep track of passwords, etc.
One for birthday and Christmas presents.
- Jessie in Kerrville, Texas
DEAR HELOISE: As a mechanic most of my life, I’ve lost many a tool due to failure to return, or damage of the tool. I solved this problem by insisting that a deposit, the approximate price of the tool, be given before the tool is loaned out. If the tool is not returned or is broken, I keep the deposit and purchase a new tool. Every tool I have loaned out since has been returned or replaced.
- C.G. in New Hampshire
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or e-mail Heloise@Heloise.com
MovieStyle, Pages 34 on 12/14/2012