Delicate ties should go to dry-cleaner’s

Dear Heloise: What is the proper way to clean and wash men’s neckties without damaging or spoiling the interfacing material that is inside the necktie to keep and hold the shape in its original form? I read your column in The Orange County (Calif.) Register. Shafeeq, via e-mail

If the tie is made from silk or other delicate fabrics, your best bet is to have it professionally dry-cleaned. You probably won’t be able to wash a tie without damaging the interfacing, but here are some hints to prolong the life of a necktie:

•If you get a stain on your tie, blot the stain and let it dry. Water or club soda may leave a water mark, so use care.

•Undo the knot before removing your tie. Sliding the knot (or leaving it in) can cause it to lose its shape.

•Don’t iron your tie on the front side! If you must press it, press on the reverse side.

•When you get a new tie, spray it with a fabric protector to prevent future stains. Heloise

Dear Heloise: Fretting about whether one first-class stamp on a letter is enough postage? The maximum weight for a first-class stamp is one business envelope (about 4 inches by 9 inches) plus four sheets of typing or copier paper. If your letter is this weight or lighter, one stamp is OK. Ronald N., Alexandria, Va.

Ronald, we weighed a business envelope and four sheets of paper, and it was under an ounce. The maximum weight for a first-class stamp is 3.5 ounces on a business-size envelope, according to the post office. Heloise

Dear Heloise: After printing photos, I put any pertinent information and the date of photo on clear address labels and place on the front of the photo. Sure helps after time passes and memory fails! M.W., via e-mail

Dear Heloise: Take an old golf bag and use it to put your garden tools in, such as hoes, rakes, etc. Lillie in Alabama

This is a wonderful green hint and an excellent way to recycle a large item when it outgrows its usefulness. Readers have written in the past saying that golf bags with wheels are great for the garden, garage or other places around the home, such as a poolroom, etc. Use pockets to store bug spray, weedkiller, rags or small hand trowels. Place a small square of plywood in the bottom of the main part to give it solid base for larger, long items, such as shovels. Heloise

Dear Heloise: Here is a hint to keep potato chips fresh: Keep them in the freezer! Take out as many as you need when you want them. They are delicious.

I also do this with marshmallows, taking out however many I want. Miriam Cook, Enola, Pa.

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