Turing off water supply could avert disaster during vacation; baking soda shaker

Heloise
Heloise

Dear Heloise: Just a word of caution to your readers. A couple of days ago, I went to the kitchen. On the floor and under the refrigerator was water. We found that the plastic waterline going to the refrigerator had sprung a small leak. It was only overnight, but there was a big puddle.
We go on vacation in the winter and are gone for four weeks. I can't imagine what kind of damage we would have had if it had happened then. Next time we leave for any length of time, we will shut off the waterline to the refrigerator.-Jeanette in Oregon
You are NOT alone, and this has happened to us! Yes, the waterline for the ice maker can be a big problem! It takes just a few minutes to turn off the water supply at the cutoff valve when leaving for an extended time.-Heloise
P.S.: Have a friend or relative check on the space periodically, too.

BAKING-SODA SHAKER
Dear Heloise: I keep a small jar of baking soda with a shaker lid on the counter next to the sink. It makes it easy to quickly clean tea stains out of a glass, coffee stains out of a cup or a bit of stuck food from nonstick cookware.-Barbara W. in San Antonio
Baking soda is always great to keep on hand in the kitchen. It is one of my favorite cheap products to use in place of expensive, strong-smelling cleaners.
Sprinkle baking soda on counters, sinks and faucets for a deep clean without fear of scratching any of the surfaces. Cheap, safe and multiuse!-Heloise

REUSE HINT
Dear Heloise: The pump on my decorative hand-soap dispenser broke. I threw away the pump and turned the top of the dispenser (which comes off for filling) upside down on the "cup" part. I have a pretty vase, and the flowers stay nicely arranged by putting them through the opening.-G.F., via email

SHELVING HINT
Dear Heloise: Plastic canvas mesh from the craft store, placed over wire shelving, prevents small items from tipping over and slipping through. -Nancy M., Erie, Pa.

King Features Syndicate

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