Reader uses detergent bottles to store his leftover paint
Dear Heloise: After reading the paint storage article, I couldn’t help but wonder how long it would take before someone else put this plan into motion. (The hint was storing paint in detergent bottles. Heloise)
I have been a stage-set technician since the early ’80s at various churches around the United States and have used laundry-detergent containers for latex-paint storage for a number of years. Not only is the drain-back system great for this type of painting, I often use the cap as a paint cup when only small portions of paint are required. The handle is great to hang on to when it’s time to shake up the next color.
I recently set up a paint-chip catalog of all my colors. This is the only way I can keep up with all 67 colors that I have in inventory. Each chip has a designated number that corresponds with the number on the container.
P.S.: The ladies at church keep me supplied with the containers, and on occasion the men will donate leftover latex paint. I also purchase mismatched paint at local paint-supply stores. Richard Gwyn, Houston
Richard, a perfect paint hint for sure. Thanks so much for sharing your hint. Heloise
Dear Heloise: My son travels for business and uses rental cars. He has passed down this hint to all of us who rent vehicles:
Take a picture of the dashboard, including the mileage and fuel gauge, with your cell phone or camera when returning the vehicle. This will confirm the mileage and that the fuel tank was full when returned, thus eliminating any possible future disagreements. Ginger Henson, Capistrano Beach, Calif.
Dear Heloise: I have another use for address labels. Whenever I attend a convention where there are many booths and forms to fill out, I simply stick an address label on the form. Saves lots of time, and the labels are always legible. Patsy Shinn in Texas
Dear Heloise: I would like to share a hint that I ran across as I was lining my kitchen cabinets.
I used a pair of decorative scissors to cut the edge (where the liner was longer and overlapping on the shelf) of where the nonslippery, nonabrasive kitchen liner was placed. It gave the inside of my kitchen cabinets an antique-style look. Anna Victoria Reich, Stafford, Va.
Dear Heloise: When decorating for the holidays, I often display ornaments of some kind with rounded bottoms on flat tabletops. To keep them from rolling, I take a pipe cleaner in a matching color, cut it in half and make a circle/doughnut shape with it. I put it on the table and nest the ornament on top. I keep the circles with the ornaments when storing them to make things easier in the years to come. Pam Schallock in California
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