Shopping for sheets? Consider thread count

Dear Heloise: I was hoping you could tell me what the best thread count is. I have bought sheets that felt like sandpaper and had to return them. I thought 400 thread counts were good, but now I’m not sure what’s best. Thank you for your help. Rose, via e-mail

Well, there are a lot of choices! Thread count and fabric are two considerations. As a general rule, the higher the thread count, the softer and more luxurious the sheets feel, but that’s not always the case. Consider the fabric: Some people like 100 percent cotton even though it does tend to wrinkle more, so if wrinkles bother you, you might want to consider a nonwrinkling cotton blend. If the sheets feel like sandpaper, they may be “pilling” — little pieces of thread popping up — and nothing you can do will reverse this. Take them back! Heloise

Dear Heloise: Every time I opened my pantry, it seemed that boxes of plastic wrap and plastic bags jumped out at me. I was mentioning it to my friend, and she said that she stores the boxes in a magazine holder. I bought one and laid it on the pantry shelf, and several boxes fit into it. The shelf is neat and organized. Casey in Colorado

Dear Heloise: I enjoy your column tremendously and wanted to contribute my own hint! At our company, all the office doors look alike from the hallway. For this reason, I try to give a “landmark” to visitors. For example, I tell them our office door is just across from the water fountain. It makes locating my office easier. M. Caluan, Galena Park, Texas

Dear Heloise: In my car, I’ve got vinyl seats. They are nice, but when I brake suddenly, whatever was on the car seat is now on the floor. I solved this problem by cutting a 1-foot square piece of rubber shelf liner and placing it on the seat. Now the items stay put on the seat.

I also use the liner when packing or storing dishes, and under my telephone to keep it from sliding around. Laurene, Springfield, Ohio

Dear Heloise: I’ve been reading your column since I was about 10 and have continued to read it every day. I am now 23. I am a college student and cannot afford a GPS in my car. But I love to visit my out-of-town friends. So, when I go online to find the directions to their homes, I print out the map and directions. I put them in a three-ring binder with plastic protectors. I keep this notebook in my car with all the information — I can use them again and again. Emily F., Fredericksburg, Va.

ing Features Syndicate