DEAR HELOISE: I have an idea that came from one of your readers’ hints. Your reader used cheap, rubber-backed bathroom rugs as floor mats in her car. I had been researching some sort of removable car-seat covers for my SUV because my dog is with me daily, as are my children and their multiple friends. The covers that I found are not easily removed, and nobody wants to sit where the dirty dog has been lounging.
When I saw that hint, I figured that I’d give them a try on top of the seats. This has worked perfectly. As you know, dogs aren’t at all dainty when they enter a vehicle. These bath rugs stay in place beautifully, are puncture-resistant, comfortable for the dog and easily removed and placed on the floor when children are in the vehicle. Best part? You can pop them in the washing machine. To make the rubber backing last longer, I air-dry them.
- Genny F. in Virginia
DEAR READERS: Here’s a hint for when you are getting ready for the day: After putting on your makeup, take a moment to clean one or two items in your makeup drawer or bathroom cabinet.
I use a microfiber cloth, dampened with a little water, to wipe off eye shadow, foundation or other items from the drawer. Cleaning a few things as you use them means you don’t have such a big cleanup session later.
P.S.: Take this time to check expiration dates on your makeup, and determine which items are running out or need to be replaced.
DEAR HELOISE: I recently purchased one of those coffee makers that use the little plastic cups. Today I went in search of something I could put on my counter to hold these cups.
After seeing how big and expensive the holders that are specifically designed for this purpose are, I went in search of something simpler and not too expensive. I found what I needed in the bath section: a small, 6-by-8-inch wire mesh basket. It holds nine plastic cups and fits nicely on my counter near the coffee maker. It’s smaller and saved me a lot of money.
- Alma D. in Nebraska
DEAR READERS: Pins are easier to lose than to find when sewing. Glue a magnet to the back of a small dish or catchall to hold the pins. It’s prettier than a pincushion, and easy to drop pins into.
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email Heloise@Heloise.com
Style, Pages 32 on 05/06/2014