Dear Readers: Children going back to school? Denim is a staple of most every student's wardrobe. Some designer denim jeans can be pretty pricey, so what are some care hints for these durable duds?
- Pull the pants inside out to launder. Agitation in the washer can lead to fading and fiber breakage. Make sure all zippers, buttons and snaps are closed.
- Don't overstuff the washer. Again, this will lead to more rubbing, and the clothes will not clean or rinse properly, because they won't be able to move around freely.
- Even though denim is a strong material, to keep jeans looking newer longer, use cold-water wash on a gentle cycle.
- Use a special detergent designed for dark colors. More expensive, but worth it.
- Either avoid the dryer altogether, or minimize drying time. Line-drying will help the material last longer.
When your kids outgrow them, they can be donated or passed down, and if they are in good condition, all the better!-Heloise
AIR-DRY
Dear Heloise: Plastic bowl covers and shower caps need to be air-dried, but where or how to do it in an efficient and prettily displayed way was a problem. So I decided to do something about it.
I grabbed unused flower vases just sitting in the cupboard. I then went to a big-box craft store and bought two lovely, fairly large, long-stemmed flowers. I put one in each vase, and placed one in the kitchen and one in the bathroom to drape my wet plastics over. It works great, and they dry quickly.-Jane A., Beavercreek, Ohio
BACK IT UP
Dear Heloise: I always back into parking spaces, especially at large venues like concerts and sporting events. With the backup camera, it's a cinch to align my car in the space.
And when it's time to leave, other cars are more likely to allow me to pull out into the flow of traffic, rather than giving me the space to back up and get out.-Doug L. in San Antonio
CASE CLOSED
Dear Readers: We asked for your uses for cloth and hard-shell eyeglass cases. Here's what you came up with:
- Donate the cases to groups that collect glasses for the less fortunate.
- Store scissors in a case for safety.
- Use as a 'purse' for a girl. Loop a ribbon under the flap for easy carrying.
-Heloise
LOTION SOLUTION
Dear Heloise: If you are having a difficult time getting your earrings to go into the hole in your earlobe, just put a dab of hand lotion on your lobe, and the earring will go right in!-Judy M. in Arkansas
Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to [email protected]. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
King Features Syndicate