HELOISE Burns on laminate can not be removed

Dear Heloise: I accidentally burned a spot on my laminated plastic kitchen countertop. Is there any way to remove this? A Reader, Via E-mail
I'm sorry to say, most burned spots on this type of surface cannot be "removed" unless they are very slight. A professional we contacted said a paste of baking soda and water might work as long as it's a slight burn and not one that penetrated through. If that doesn't work, you can "decoratively" cover it up.
You can disguise burn marks using colorful ceramic tiles or even wood cutting boards when the burned area is in a location where either of those can be used. Also, a carpenter can cut out an area about 12 inches by 12 inches, or however large you would like it, from the countertop and recess a wood cutting board, which would actually be a great addition to your countertop. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Here are some things I have found helpful in threading a sewing-machine needle. First, clip the thread at an angle, then hold a small piece of white paper or white fabric behind the needle. You can then see the eye of the needle much easier.
After the thread goes through the needle, hold your left forefinger on the thread so it doesn't slip back out. Then pull the thread on out with your right fingers. Ruth Charles, Springfield, Mo.
Dear Readers: Sally Sharp of Oxnard, Calif., sent in several uses for a 6-inch plastic bear-shaped honey bottle. She said: "The residue of honey left inside washed away easily after soaking overnight in water. Here are a few ideas for using the bottle":
UBath Bear: Buy shampoo, conditioner, liquid body soap, etc., in large sizes and transfer to bear bottles so each child has his or her own personal shampoo bear.
UDesk Bear: Fill with paper clips, rubber bands, thumbtacks, paper brads, other small office supplies; or cut off the bottle neck, weight the bottom and use as pen/pencil holder.
UCollection Bear: Use to store and display anything small enough to fit through the top opening. Fill a clean, empty bear with small collectibles like marbles, buttons, beads, jewelry, thimbles, crayons, erasers, sand or dirt from around the world, plastic miniatures, dried flowers, etc.
We would love to hear more recycling/reusing hints for other things found around the house. Send them to: Heloise/Recycle, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Another good tip for egg cartons -- the ones I can get away from my husband. (He sorts his golf balls in them -- good, better or practice balls.)
I use them as packing material when I send something breakable. I line the box with egg cartons (open), then fill all the extra space with closed egg cartons until breakable items can't move around at all. Works great! Rachel Parkman, Meredith, N.H.
King Features Syndicate