Here’s how to remove lipstick stains from clothes

Dear Heloise: I washed my light pants and tops in the washing machine, but left my orange lipstick in a pocket, and lipstick is all over my clothes. Can you please advise me as to what takes lipstick off clothes? Thanks. Jeannette, via e-mail

Yes, and you probably have the products to use on hand. Stains should be pretreated with lots of prewash stain remover — put it on both sides of the fabric. Let the garments sit a few minutes in order for the product to do its job. Put several folded paper towels under the fabric, which is facedown, and scrub with a soft brush from the back. Begin blotting the fabric, pushing the stain out onto the paper towels. Move the paper towels to a clean spot until most of the lipstick is gone. Rewash the garment in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Don’t put in the dryer! If the stains remain, re-spray, scrub and wash again.

You can also try rubbing alcohol on many lipstick stains; just use it in the same manner. Heloise

Dear Heloise: My hint is to reuse holiday and other special cards that I’ve received from family and friends.

They are great to help keep things in a file folder separated and organized. When I retrieve a file, I get to see that special card. Normally, I put the cards in a box to maybe look at years from now. I’d bet that there are several sentimental women like myself who have at least one box of cards just taking up space. I am really glad that I thought of doing this, because I get to look at all memories much more often. Jeanne from Hawaii

Dear Heloise: My husband and son are careless with the power weeder. To protect smaller plants and/or trees from damage, I use coffee cans. Most of today’s brands come in plastic. I cut up one side and remove a circle from the bottom, then slip these around the vegetation, inverted. They allow growth but protect against accidental cutting.

When the plant/tree is healthy enough to withstand carelessness, the protection is easily removed. If the color is offensive to your landscape, the coffee cans easily can be spray-painted brown or green before using. V.R., via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I read a flurry of letters regarding losing needles in pincushions. I never lose needles because before I put a needle in a cushion, I thread it with a short double thread, which is knotted. That way, even if the needle sinks inside, the knot shows and can be pulled out easily. Jessie R. Kesseler Peebles, Kerrville, Texas

Dear Heloise: I roll sheets in such a way that I can tell if they are fitted or flat. To me, nothing is more aggravating than having to unroll a sheet to find out what it is. R.S., via e-mail

SBlt 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