Laundry lesson will lessen stress on wash day

February 21, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

heloise

Dear Readers: Do you live in an apartment that doesn’t have a washing machine or dryer? Here are some hints to make laundry day a little easier:

U Sorting clothes is very important. Sort clothing before you leave! If you send someone else to do the laundry, this will make it easier.

UDon’t overstuff the washer, as clothes cannot get clean. Always use the correct amount of detergent according to directions — more is not better!

UGet plenty of change. Throughout the week or month, save quarters.

UPlastic containers are just right to hold detergent, powdered bleach and fabric softener. No messy measuring. It also prevents you from carrying large bottles or boxes around.

UBring along hangers so that you can hang up items right from the dryer with no wrinkles, which means no ironing.

UTo know which washers you are using, place large, colorful magnets on the machines to spot them easily.

UIf you’re going to do laundry, why not wash comforters, blankets and other large items, since front-loading machines with no agitators are usually there? If you wash one large-item load each time, you will always have fresh bits and pieces.

Hope these hints make your laundry experience better! If you have a favorite hint that makes doing laundry away from home easier, especially if you are a college students, we would love to hear from you! Send your hint to: Heloise@Heloise.com (put “laundry” in the subject line); fax to (210) 435-6473 (HELOISE); or mail to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, and we’ll print as many as we can on laundry 101. Heloise

Dear Heloise: I used to forget to take my cell phone when I left my house because it was being charged in the kitchen. Now I leave it in my purse pocket while it is connected to the charger. Since I have been doing this, I always have my phone, and I haven’t forgotten it once! Corrinne Berkland, Universal City, Texas

Here are two good hints from Reddy, via e-mail:

When buying gasoline with a credit card, I always charge an odd dollar amount so it is easier to check my bill to be sure the charges are mine. If you usually charge the same amount, you may end up with five or more different charges of the same exact amount.

When I buy seasonings with the shaker flip-open tops, I use a fine-tip permanent marker to make dots on the sprinkler side. It’s easy, and I don’t overseason my food.

Dear Heloise: A fast and easy way to keep your garbage disposal clean and smelling good is to buy an inexpensive, round toilet brush to keep under the sink. Every few weeks or so, run it around the rubber gasket, and you’ll be amazed at the gunk it will remove. Patricia O’Farrell, via e-mail

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