HELOISE: Getting gum from dryer is sticky proposition

Dear Heloise: You printed instructions for removing gum from the clothes dryer before it happened to my dryer. Can you repeat this hint? Millie Howard, Little Rock, Ark.

Dear Millie: This can be a sticky problem. This hint also works on melted crayons. First, soften the gum by putting two or three old towels into the dryer using a warm setting for five to 10 minutes. Make a paste with about a tablespoon of powdered laundry detergent and water, and scrub the gum with the paste on a plastic scrubbie. Use a damp towel to wipe out the inside of the dryer. Don’t dry anything until you run one cycle with several damp old towels. And, of course, check clothes for gum before placing them in the dryer! Heloise

Dear Heloise: I keep a toothbrush holder on my telephone stand and put pens and pencils in it. It’s handy for taking messages. Kathleen Luffman, Fort Worth, Texas

Dear Heloise: I place turntables in all of my cabinets. Everything can be reached easily, and each item that is stored there can be seen immediately. Some of the turntables have been made to fit my cabinets, some were purchased, and some are double-deckers. I also have them in my refrigerator for easy organization. Louise, via e-mail

Me too! I love them for easy access. I have them in the fridge for all things: relish, olives, etc.; in my makeup cabinet for nail polish; and many more. Heloise

Dear Heloise: Your column regarding troops getting candy brought back memories of long ago — right after World War II ended. My mother had sent me a box in June of ’45, and I got it in November of ’45. The cookies were nothing but crumbs, but a jar of fig preserves was intact, and in our tent, we ate the preserves with our fingers! Thanks for the memories! William D. Bater, San Antonio

Dear Heloise: Our family gathers for large meals, and my sister used to lose good plastic storageware to friends and relatives who lived too far away to return it. We finally got smart and started saving used whipped-topping, margarine and any other appropriate plastic containers.

We put the containers out in the kitchen before dinner, with masking tape and a pen, so our family can make up and label their leftovers. This leaves empty dishes ready for cleanup and saves time later, as everyone leaves at different times. They just have to grab their personalized containers and go! Harry Miller, Erie, Pa.

Dear Heloise: My first hint is to keep scissors on the ironing board and clip any loose strings while you are ironing. My second hint is to use pliers to take out the plastic insert of fabric-softener or detergent bottles to get extra liquid from the bottle. You’d be surprised how much comes out. Lori P., 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