HELOISE Slow cookers are great way to keep food warm

Dear Heloise: A friend of mine routinely uses her slow cooker to keep items warm until they are served. Is this a safe practice? I've never seen this done before. I didn't want to say anything to her until I checked on it. Thanks for your help. B.B., Salt Lake City
What an interesting question! We checked with a slow-cooker manufacturer, and here is what a representative had to say: Most slow cookers are great to use to keep cooked food warm until ready to serve. Keep in mind, though, that older models have the heating element only on the bottom, which will take longer to heat up, while the newer ones are surrounded by the heating element. And some of the newer ones have a setting for warm on them! Heloise
Dear Heloise: I use the shower caps from hotel rooms to cover my evening bags, needlepoint purses and even a silk shawl from dust at home. When I travel, the shower caps continue to protect the purses or shawl while in my suitcase. Mary Diane Hanna, Lexington, Ky.
Dear Heloise: Here's a hint for parents of babies and small children: I hung one of those mesh bags used for delicates and lingerie from the outside of the hamper in my son's nursery. When I take off his dirty socks, I toss them in the bag, and on laundry day, I just zip the bag closed and toss it in the laundry. The socks get nice and clean, and they're all together when it's time to fold them and put them away. Erin Bell, Galloway
Dear Heloise: I recently was making a costume for my son using a 1-gallon milk container. I used the bottom of the jug. As I was getting ready to recycle the rest of the bottle, I realized that the handle and spout would make an awesome funnel! I used it for canning jelly. No more splashing hot liquids on my hands! No need to store it -- just recycle when done. Janice in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Dear Heloise: I love to cook and have a lot of cookbooks. In the front of every cookbook, I have a sheet of paper where I write my favorite recipes and their page numbers. If I have already made the recipe, I write down the results and date made. Thomas S., via e-mail
Dear Heloise: I mark a white card with each color of lipstick I have, and I write the name beside the color. I cover the card with clear craft plastic. When I am dressed, I pull out the card and find a matching color! Cindy Conway, Fredericksburg, Va.
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
King Features Syndicate