DEAR HELOISE: Here is my hint to keep computers running smoothly and save on storage space:
Occasionally, I go to the control panel on my computer and click on "uninstall programs." It pulls up a list of all the programs installed on my computer. I scroll through and uninstall anything I don't need, don't use or may have been installed on my computer accidentally. A lot of times, when you download one thing, it downloads a companion program that you might not need.
A word of caution: Make sure you know what you are uninstalling and that you don't need a program before you uninstall it. If you aren't sure, don't do it!
-- Pat J. in Chicago
DEAR READER: Cleaning out "cobwebs" in the computer can make it run faster. Don't uninstall if you don't know what the program is. When in doubt, don't.
DEAR HELOISE: We have lots of spiders here in Western Washington. I let them stay over winter so they don't freeze, but that means that my house has many cobwebs. I have cleaned some of them with my feather duster, but now I need your advice as to how to clean a feather duster.
-- Marilyn T.,
Washougal, Wash.
DEAR READER: How nice for you to provide a winter condo for the spiders. Cleaning a real feather duster is easy to do: Use cornmeal and a large paper or plastic bag. Place the duster in the bag, and add a cup or two of cornmeal. Close the bag and shake, shake, shake. You probably want to step outside when you take the duster out of the bag. Shake clean and you are done. What other household items do you have that can be used to clean? Rubbing alcohol, vinegar and baking soda are just three. Cleaning a sponge in the dishwasher? Tuck it between glasses to keep it from flying around.
DEAR HELOISE: I love to bake and make loaves of banana nut bread for my friends and family. Because I have to divide the batter into several loaf tins, it can get frustrating scooping the batter. Using a ladle is very helpful. I can get a large scoop and divide the batter easily and evenly.
-- Deanna, via email
DEAR READER: Try this: Rather than using a ladle, make the batter in a mixing bowl that has a spout. Just pour the batter into the pans. Much less cleanup.
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
MovieStyle on 05/22/2015