HELOISE Shopper seeks advice on using gloppy liquid fabric softener

Dear Heloise: While shopping the other day, I bought some liquid fabric softener at one of those stores that sells things for a dollar. When I got home and went to use it, it was thick and gloppy. Is it still usable? K.M. from Colorado
Hmm. We had never heard of this, so we took your question to a leading manufacturer. A representative said that fabric softener should not be gloppy, and you really shouldn't use it on your clothes, because it might not rinse out properly.
This thick consistency is caused by extreme temperature changes. This can occur either in shipping or in storage. So, before buying it -- especially at a closeout store -- give it a shake to make sure it's still fluid. Heloise
Dear Heloise: My fiancee keeps bread and biscuits fresh and moist by using her microwave oven as a breadbox.
In lieu of an actual breadbox -- which uses up space on the kitchen counter -- or refrigeration -- which tends to dry out bread -- the microwave works perfectly as a modern-day breadbox. Les Colonello, New Orleans
Dear Heloise: To ensure that the recipients of my birthday cards receive them on time, I mark on my calendar the day it should be mailed (example: "send Joe's card"). In January, before discarding the old calendar, I transfer each mailing date for the entire year to the new calendar. Dorothy Seake, Shiner, Texas
Here's a card hint from Jeane D. of Sacramento, Calif.: "We know how short some hospitalizations have become. If you want to send a get-well card to someone, how about using the home address of the person in the return-address space? Then, if the patient has been discharged, the card will go to his or her home." Heloise
Dear Heloise: Here is a tip I would like to share: When that bottle of good perfume is empty and not another drop can be gotten out of it, don't throw it away.
I always remove the top and put the bottle in my laundry hamper. This way, the fragrance of the perfume evaporates from the bottle and makes a heavenly aroma in your clothes hamper. A Reader, Via E-mail
Dear Heloise: I just wanted to add my "two seconds" saving hint. When removing canned-soup labels from the can, I use a stitch remover. The longer "finger" fits under the label, and the sharp curve makes for a straight cut.
This has helped me remove labels quickly and easily. Now my daughter's school gets the added benefit of the labels. Angie Roddick, San Antonio
XSend a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, Fax: (210) HELOISE or E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com.
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