HELOISE Properly stored, charcoal can last indefinitely

Dear Heloise: While cleaning out my garage this past weekend, I found several half-full bags of charcoal. Is it safe to use? Does charcoal have a shelf life or expiration? I thought I had better check before I use it. Thanks. Carl from Tennessee
Good question! We took it to our friends at a leading charcoal manufacturer, and here is what they had to say: As long as charcoal is kept in a cool, dark place, then the shelf life is indefinite. Charcoal that has gotten wet usually cannot be used. Heloise
Dear Heloise: When traveling to a hotel with your favorite pillow, make sure you put the pillow into a dark- or bright-colored pillowcase. When you leave, it's much easier to remember to take your pillow when it's not the same color as the hotel's sheets, which are usually white. Lynn D., Via E-mail
Dear Heloise: If you use store-bought (pre-made) graham-cracker or cookie pie crusts, the little plastic cover that protects the crust can be used later as a saucer for houseplants. It's clear, so it doesn't show, but it does catch any drips and protects surfaces from wet pot bottoms.
I once put a drained (I thought) plant back down on my carpet and ended up with a nasty, moldy-looking stain that was almost impossible to remove. That plastic lid would have worked great, plus it would be something recycled! Jan, Via E-mail
Dear Heloise: I would like to pass on the following hint to you and hopefully your readers: I recently purchased a pair of rubber gardening shoes. I had not used them yet for gardening when I shampooed my carpet. My feet always get wet when doing this, and I needed to put something on them. I remembered my gardening shoes. They are wonderful for this! Always be sure they are clean. Carol W., Perry, N.Y.
Love it! My feet get wet, too, when I shampoo my carpet, and I wear my plastic flip-flops. Heloise
Here are three good hints from Barbara Beyer of Lighthouse Point, Fla.:
UIf you try a new brand of paper towels or bathroom tissue, insert a piece of the wrapper in the tube. Then when you say either "those were great" or "I never want those again!" you'll have a clue to the brand. It would be nice if the product name was printed on the tube -- but it isn't.
UWhen you use spray paint or stain as well as wall or exterior paint, write on the lid with a permanent marker what the project was and the date. Helps with touch-ups -- and at clean-out time.
UFor deep kitchen cupboards, write an inventory on 3-by-5 cards and place it on the door. For lower cupboards, place the inventory card upside down for easier reading.
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