Dear Readers: Today's Sound Off is about clothing labels. A reader wrote: "Why do clothing manufacturers persist in putting scratchy labels in the necks of shirts and nightwear? I have two brand-new garments that I put holes in trying to remove the uncomfortable labels!
"The least they could do is give us a fighting chance of successfully removing the labels (without damaging our new clothes) by sewing them in with long stitches in a contrasting color of thread. Better yet, no label in the neck at all.
"Thanks for your great columns; I've been reading them for many years and have implemented many hints. But sometimes I read a hint and think: 'I've been doing that all my life! There are people who don't know this?'" - Judy N., Mansfield, Ohio
-Heloise
FAST FACTS
Dear Readers: What to do with extra mouse pads? Here are some other possible uses for them:
- As drink coasters.
- Under a sewing-machine pedal to reduce slippage.
- Cut into small pieces and place under table legs to prevent damage to wood floors.
- Place under in-house potted plants to prevent scratching or marking floors.
- Under hot casserole dishes to protect your tabletop.
-Heloise
HINTS ON BATTERY DISPOSAL
Dear Heloise: Thanks for the advice on how to store batteries (not in the refrigerator). However, is there a proper way to dispose of batteries? I'm guessing most people simply throw their flashlight or gadget batteries into the trash can. Is that a bad thing?-Harry P., Kerrville, Texas
Harry, after a bit of research, here's what I'd recommend, as there are a variety of household-type batteries in any one home:
- Everyday alkaline batteries, which are most of your household types, can go out with the regular trash.
- Lithium-ion batteries, like those used in cellphones and laptop computers, also can be placed in the garbage, as long as they have been fully discharged. If not, dispose of them at a household hazardous-waste site.
- Silver-oxide batteries and button cells, normally used in watches, calculators and hearing aids, also should be disposed of at a household hazardous-waste site.-Heloise
DIRTY NAILS? NO PROBLEM
Dear Heloise: I love to garden, so dirt under my fingernails is inevitable, since I prefer to garden without gloves. To get the dirt out from under my nails, if I'm outside, I will use the jet stream from my hand-watering sprinkler head, gently pull back my finger pads and spray directly at the tips of my nails.
If I am inside, I simply use my kitchen-sink sprayer in the same way. Both work great in flushing out the dirt.-Janice B. in Oklahoma
EYEGLASS-CASE GAME CHANGER
Dear Heloise: Before I sew, I fill all of my sewing-machine bobbins with the thread I'll be using for the project and place them in an eyeglass case that snaps shut. This way, I know where they are, and if it falls to the ground, the case stays shut!-Georgia H. in San Antonio
SEND A GREAT HINT TO:
Heloise
P.O. Box 795000
San Antonio, TX 78279-5000
Fax: 1-210-HELOISE
Email: [email protected]
King Features Syndicate