HELOISE Changing hoses should prevent flooding

Dear Heloise: Experience is the teacher again. While washing a load of clothes, I went into a different part of our house. When I came back, I could hear water running in the utility room. A hose attached to the back of the washer was busted, and water was gushing out!
Fortunately, it had not run long. My husband was able to work on this problem and fix it, but not until the utility room and parts of the other rooms nearby were flooded. A friend used a wet-and-dry vacuum to get the majority of the water out of the house. He told us that the hoses of washers were to be replaced every five years (check often to see if they might need to be replaced sooner -- Heloise). This was news to us, and perhaps someone else can benefit from our experience. Sandra Thompson, Pine Bluff, Ark.
Your story is a perfect example of why you shouldn't leave your house when the washer or dryer is going! You just never know what might happen. This is also a good time to find out where the water shut-off valves are in case you're home alone and need to turn off the water. Heloise
Dear Heloise: When preparing to return from a trip, I discovered that I would be bringing home more than I took. I bought some 1-gallon self-sealing plastic bags. I put individual knit shirts in a bag. I also used the bags for sets of underwear. After I put in the items and squeezed out the air, the space savings was noticeable. Tom Palmer, San Antonio
Tom, you taught this old road warrior a new hint. I've always used the bags, but never thought about squeezing out the air. Love it. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I've found a way to refill canisters without having a big mess to clean up afterward. My silverware drawer was open next to me, and I happened to glance at my gravy ladle and decided to give it a try. I was amazed to see how the coffee actually stayed piled up on the ladle, and nothing fell off. Sure made the job a lot easier.
Later, I needed to fill the sugar canister and used the gravy ladle again -- worked like a charm. After baking cookies, the flour canister needed refilling, and I was sure that this time it would make a big mess, gravy ladle or not. Not a trace of flour fell from the ladle. I had absolutely no mess to clean up. B. Benjamin, Kent, Wash.
Dear Heloise: We have just finished replacing our kitchen cabinets. My husband got sheets of clear acrylic (usually used in place of glass -- Heloise) and cut them to fit the most-used of my cabinets. They look so neat. The cabinet finish shows through, but they are washable. We don't know why we didn't think of this sooner. Mary Sinclair, via e-mail
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate