She shares the shocking scoop on supersized laundry detergent

Dear Heloise: I opened a very large box of laundry detergent to discover that the scoop provided had been supersized as well. I don’t usually read the directions, but this day I did. The recommended amount of detergent for a normal load was 3‚Ñ4 cup. I was shocked when I measured the enclosed scoop. It held 11‚Ñ2 cups, double the suggested amount! I thought about how often we or someone helping us do laundry fills the cup to the top. Shame on those manufacturers! I threw the new cup away and replaced it with an old 3‚Ñ4- cup scoop and then looked around to see what else I had that was the correct size. I found that the lid on my hair-spray can was the right size. See what you can find to replace the supersized measuring cup and save detergent. Eileen in Kermit, Texas

Sometimes the “fill” line is hard to see. You might want to give the cup or cap a good look, because it should have fill lines marked on it with the suggested amount for 1‚Ñ2 load or lightly soiled clothes, heavy soil, etc. You are correct — it’s wise to check measurements, which will help save money, too! Heloise

Here are two good hints from Carole Coutts Mayo, via e-mail:

Sewing or resewing a button: Thread the needle with two (three is even better) separate threads. Knot the end with one knot. You only have to sew through two or three times before you’re done. Sometimes it helps to lay a toothpick between the button and the fabric if you want a shank.

Pattern enlargement: For knit patterns, I take them to the copy store and enlarge the pages, which makes them much easier to read. To keep my place on a pattern, I use thin strips of sticky-note tape, which are easy to move to the next row in the directions.

Dear Heloise: My husband came up with an excellent method for cleaning windows on the outside. He uses a sponge mop and soapy water to clean dust and dirt, then mixes liquid dishwashing detergent and water in a spray bottle, sprays the windows and rinses with a garden hose. Presto — no streaks, no rubbing and no wiping. He uses a spray bottle that attaches to the garden hose, which makes it convenient to switch between spraying the detergent mixture and rinse water. He does the whole house in a matter of minutes. E. Stickney, Rio Vista, Texas

Dear Heloise: No one likes to make a sandwich using the end pieces of the loaf of bread. I just make grilled-cheese sandwiches with the end side toward the center. It tastes and looks like the other bread slices. Diana from Spring, Texas

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