In a couple of shakes, save time and money

Dear Heloise: I read your hint many years ago pertaining to removal of washed clothes ready for the automatic clothes dryer — always shake the clothes thoroughly before placing them in the dryer. This saves electricity and time, as the dryer does not have to work extra to do this. I have always done this and referred the hint to others!

It’s time for another printing — two more generations have come along! Martha S. Smith, Arlington, Texas

How right you are! Here is another money-saving hint: Use a short drying cycle and take lightweight garments such as lingerie, synthetic shirts and small items out of the dryer when not completely dry. Hang them up, and they will finish drying in a short while. A bonus is that many T-shirts and blouses won’t be so wrinkled. Heloise

Dear Heloise: Moving heavy furniture over rugs sometimes requires two people. Rather than purchasing sliders, I found that disposable food containers under the legs work just as well. As an added bonus, the high sides keep furniture from slipping off while sliding. Mary Ann Couture, South Windsor, Conn.

Dear Heloise: Since “my” odometer has rolled over and I still do my own cleaning and am arthritic, I have found it very helpful to use canned air. I use it to blow the dust bunnies from under the bed, from the track of my sliding closet doors and from behind things that I cannot physically reach. I’m constantly looking for new applications. Glynda Malleske, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I was tired of trying to pick out my husband’s and my soft-sided luggage from all the others on airline carousels. I took out bottles of fabric paints and decorated the sides of the luggage with bright paints of varying designs. Now there is no question as to which pieces are ours, and we pick them out as soon as they pop through the chute to the carousel! They caused others to take note of them, as they are very distinctive. Joyce from Staten Island, N.Y.

Dear Heloise: I had minor surgery that required me to keep the stitches dry when showering. The surgeon suggested I use plastic wrap (the kind that seals) over and around the surgery site, and after I showered, I pulled off the plastic. Voil ° — dry stitches. Worked great. Sandy Fulka, Griffith, Ind.

• 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