HELOISE Advice given on how to clean sleeping bags

Dear Heloise: I have several sleeping bags that are in dire need of cleaning. Is it best to wash them at home or to take them to a dry cleaner? K.R., Cleveland
Well, first you need to read the care label for washing instructions. Each could have an entirely different cleaning method.
The label might say "dry clean only," which means just that -- don't try washing it at home! But if it can be machine-washed and will fit in your washing machine, wash it alone, following the care label. If your home machine is not large enough for the sleeping bag, take it to a coin-operated laundry facility where there are commercial or larger-sized washing machines.
Typically, a sleeping bag is washed using a gentle cycle and a high-level water setting. Add the detergent to the washer while it's filling so that it mixes well before adding the sleeping bag. When the tub is halfway full, stop the machine and add the sleeping bag, pushing it under the water and releasing air pockets, until it's completely submerged. Restart the machine and let it continue through the wash cycle.
Run the sleeping bag through a couple of rinse cycles to make sure all the detergent has been removed.
You might need to stop the washer a few times to press out any air pockets so the bag stays under the water and gets clean.
If the sleeping bag can be dried in the dryer, add a couple of clean tennis balls to help fluff and distribute the fill material in the sleeping bag.
Wash a sleeping bag as needed and especially before storing. Also, store it in a large pillowcase or drawstring bag -- but never in plastic bags, according to our friends at the Soap and Detergent Association. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I keep a roll of masking tape and a marking pen in a convenient drawer in my kitchen. I use these to label and date all refrigerator and freezer food. Since there is more than one cook in our household, it is a good way to keep track of leftovers without having to open the containers. Barbara Moore, Via E-mail
Dear Heloise: Here is an easy way to serve ice cream at a party.
I take my cupcake pans, line the cups with foil or paper liners, then scoop the ice cream into them. I cover the pans with plastic wrap or foil, then stick them in the freezer. Very easy to serve. Just hand someone a little cup of ice cream!
I did this for my son's fourth birthday party, and there was hardly any mess. Cheryl, Christiansburg, Va.
Dear Heloise: When trying to get tomato paste out of those little cans, I open both ends with a can opener. I push one of the ends into the can, which then pushes the other end and the paste cleanly out of the can. Be careful of sharp edges when removing the ends. Ellen, Summit, N.J.
XSend a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, Fax: (210) HELOISE or E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate