Tips help avoid tangled laundry in machine

Dear Readers: Doing the laundry can leave you with a tangled mess of twisted sleeves, snagged undergarments and mangled zippers.
The agitator of top-loading washing machines can be aggravating sometimes. It's frustrating when you find all of your just-washed clothes tangled together in one big mess. But there are a few things you can do to keep your garments from hooking up:
UMake sure hooks are fastened and zippers are zipped.
UIf twisted sleeves seem to be a problem, button a button on each sleeve to a buttonhole on the shirt's front.
UWhen loading your wash, place each piece of clothing in the machine one by one, laying them out in a circle around the agitator.
UMake sure you use the appropriate water level and washing time. Delicates like silky blouses, nylon slips and undergarments should be washed on the delicate or knit cycle. The water level needs to be high enough to give these items room to move. The more water and the shorter the agitation time, the more likely the clothes will come out clean and untangled.
Now, for stains, my Handy Stain Guide is just what you need. You'll find eight pages of stain-removal hints and homemade, money-saving recipes to use on everything from antiperspirant to wine, grass and more. To receive your copy, please send $4 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (60 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Stain, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. If mud is a problem, let the stain dry and brush away the dirt with a stiff brush. Treat the remaining stain with prewash spray, or rub some liquid detergent into the area. Launder as usual. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Whenever I get back from a trip, I always make extra copies of my photos, and I make cards from them. I always get wonderful compliments. Gerry Showalter, Ramona, Calif.
And we enjoyed the one you sent us! One of my friends, Sabrina, is a pretty darn good photographer, and she does the same. I save her & quot;photo cards & quot;; they are so pretty. Heloise
Dear Heloise: As a lifelong reader of your mom and you, I want to thank you for tons of ideas through the years. Now I have a helpful hint that I would like to share with your readers.
If you have ever lost the little pin or screw that holds your eyeglass arm to the frame, you can insert a safety pin to hold them together until you can make a permanent repair. Close the pin once it is inserted. Carrie, via e-mail
Dear Heloise: At back-to-school time, if you fill out an emergency card with names of emergency contacts, make sure you give the contact your insurance, doctor and hospital information. Last year, I was called for a friend's young son who broke his nose. I didn't know where to take him and had no insurance information. Now I provide this to my contacts and get it from those who use me as their emergency contact. Could save a life! Jeanne Lager, Mission Viejo, Calif.
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