Dear Heloise: I always love when I can do two or three jobs at the same time. (I wear rubber gloves to protect my manicure.)
Add 2 or 3 tablespoons of dishwasher soap to a bathroom sink. Run hot water to dissolve it and fill the sink. Use a cloth to gently scrub the sink and faucets.
Next, put all of your combs, brushes, and even hot rollers in the sink. Swirl around and let it sit for a few minutes. Then rinse thoroughly and let dry on a towel. Then rinse out the sink. – Audrey B., Rickreall, Ore.
Audrey, your cleaning method is fine except for one thing. You put your combs and brushes in dirty water where you just cleaned the sink. Remember, the bathroom sink is where we wash our hands, face, brush our teeth, and spit out any toothpaste left over from brushing our teeth. Perhaps things like a hairbrush and comb should start with clean water. –Heloise
NO MISTAKES
Dear Heloise: As far as I can remember, you once had a great tip on how to keep insects away from food that is being kept outside. We are having a garden wedding here very soon, and I want to keep the wedding cake free of bugs during the ceremony. Could you repeat this point? – Mary Jane D., Danville, Ky.
Mary Jane, set the wedding cake on its own table and make sure you can cover the wedding cake with a loose cover to prevent flying bugs from landing on it. Place each table leg in a pot or can of water without the legs touching the sides of the water container to prevent crawling insects from climbing onto the cake. I learned this lesson many years ago when I was living in Hawaii. – Heloise
WIPING OUT THE CABINET
Dear Heloise: My bedroom closet is pretty big, but it’s always cluttered with clothes. I hate throwing everything away just in case I might need it again in the future. How can I sort out my trash and only keep what I need? – Connie S., Amhurst, NY
Connie, I know it’s hard to let go of things and reorganizing a closet seems monumental, but try this: take part of your closet and remove any hanging items. Put them on your bed and ask yourself, “Do I wear this often or never?” The “Nevers” lie in a pile to either be thrown away or given away. And be honest with yourself. Do each section like this. Next, tie all clothes together, tie all pants together, long sleeved tops together, and short or sleeveless tops together, and so on. Do the same with your shoes and wallets. Be inconsiderate in your editing. Before you know it, you have a nice, well-organized wardrobe. – Heloise
THE ENTRY PRICE
Dear Heloise: Someone told me that I need to give the bride and groom a gift or money equal to the price of dinner at a wedding. Is that true? – William L., Marysville, Ohio
Wilhelm, no, not anymore. People give what they can afford. – Heloise
