DEAR READERS: Today's Sound Off is about finding phone numbers without having access to "the white pages." (For the young readers, that's a reference to the printed phone book. -- Heloise) A reader wrote: "My Sound Off regards trying to find a phone number or address without the white pages.
"I've tried online search engines that claim to be free, but after they compile what amounts to a dossier on the person whose number and address are the only things you need, up pops a screen with prices for a subscription with the company.
"How do these companies get away with saying something is free, then expect you to pay for the service?"
-- Lynda D., San Antonio
DEAR READERS: Here are some other ways that binder clips can be used:
• Clip to calendars and hang on the nail instead of the hole on the pages.
• To keep draperies or curtains closed.
• To keep pants, skirts and/or tank tops from slipping off hangers.
• To keep the rolled part of your toothpaste tube from unrolling.
• To seal the opening of chip, candy, cracker, etc., bags.
DEAR HELOISE: I read that to remove bacteria from kitchen sponges, you should dampen with water and then stick them in the microwave on high for 30-60 seconds. Does this really work?
-- Georgia H., San Antonio
DEAR READER: Georgia, the United States Department of Agriculture found that two effective ways to sterilize sponges are in the microwave and in a dishwasher that has a water-temperature-boost feature and a heated drying cycle.
Be sure the sponges are damp before sticking them in the microwave, and be careful when done. They will be extremely hot.
DEAR HELOISE: Here's a hint I stumbled upon quite by accident. One day, I lathered my beard with a little shampoo before applying my shaving cream. The shave seemed to be better.
-- James F.
in San Francisco
DEAR READER: James, you stumbled on a longtime Heloise hint. Many women do the same when shaving legs. Sure can't hurt.
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
ActiveStyle on 11/21/2016