Procedures get everyone involved with the laundry

Dear Heloise: We are a busy family of four, and it is expected that everyone helps out with the laundry. Before, it seemed to always be chaotic, but I came up with some procedures that make it easier for everyone, especially my two teenagers.
First, I try to have loads separated by color into individual baskets. There is a basket we call "on deck," so everyone knows that it's the next to be washed.
If anyone puts an item in the washing machine that shouldn't be dried in the clothes dryer, the person is to stick a special magnet on top of the washing machine at the start of the cycle, so whoever puts that load into the dryer knows to look for an item that shouldn't be put in the dryer.
On the folding counter, everyone has a spot just for his or her clothes that I labeled with a sticker with his or her name. That way, everyone knows where to put the clothes as they are folded. And the family members are responsible for taking their own pile to their room. Laundry at our house has become smooth sailing! Katie C., Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Katie, this sounds like a shipshape Navy operation! All hands are pulling their weight, and the continual "job" runs smoothly. Heloise
Fast facts
Other uses for bread bags:
Use to dispose of small, dirty diapers.
Put in a gym bag to hold a wet swimsuit.
Line a coffee can with one and use the can to collect wet garbage.
Use to cover your hand for a messy job, like picking up after Fido.
Cut into strips, tie strips together and crochet into a throw rug.
Dear Heloise: After my mother died, we had a hard time trying to figure out who some of the people in her address listings were. When I set up my new address book, I put a category after each name (co-worker, friend, church member, etc.).
I hope that this will be helpful to my girls if anything ever happens to me in the future. Patty Roosa, Ravenna
Dear Heloise: I was reading your column in The (Fredericksburg, Va.) Free Lance-Star recently about the woman who wrote about donating clothes. I was in the position at one time to have to use Goodwill to help supply me and my three children with clothes.
Put yourself in that position before donating clothes -- or anything, for that matter. Would you want to be seen in public, on the job or anywhere wearing the clothes? If the answer is no, do not donate them. When a person is down, does he or she really need to be shoved further down by having to wear clothes that are stained, torn, have buttons missing or are ragged? Think about it! E.M., Stafford, Va.
Sound off
Dear Heloise: I'm all for low-key "ambiance" lighting at restaurants, but when I have to pull the decorative candle close to read my menu, it's time for the restaurant to turn up the lights! Jen Foote, Lady Lake, Fla.
Send 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