HELOISE: Readers send in uses for ice picks

Dear Readers: Recently, we printed a letter from a reader who thought no one kept or used ice picks anymore! My readers responded with a resounding “Yes, we do!” Wow! Here are just a few of the reader comments:

Karyl from Pollock Pines, Calif., says, “I have used it to unlock a bathroom door after a grandchild locked himself in the bathroom.”

Frances Larson, via e-mail, says, “I find it handy to open the dried clot that can block the narrow opening of a glue bottle.”

C.T. from Sacramento, Calif., says, “I use it as a cake tester.” (Do clean it well. Heloise)

Betty from Sacramento, Calif., says, “I use it to punch holes in pots for gardening, remove the plastic tops to refill spices, and daily as a letter opener.”

Thelma H. from Antelope, Calif., says: “I use it to poke holes in potatoes before baking them in the microwave oven. To avoid poking my fingers with the ice pick while it is stored in the utensil drawer, I insert the sharp point into a wine cork.”

Keith F. from Sacramento, Calif., says, “I use it to start holes for small screws, to align holes in parts to install fasteners and to poke small holes in drywall when searching for stud positions.”

Pat, via e-mail, says, “I use it to put a line of holes along one of the ridges on opposite sides of acorn squash before microwaving.”

Donna from West Memphis, Ark., says, “I use it to widen a hole in my belts, dog collars and any other small hole that needs to be larger.”

An Ojai, Calif., reader says, “Use to create ‘drainage holes’ in your paint can.”

Sil C. of San Antonio says, “I use it to poke holes in meat before tenderizing and marinating.”

B.C. from Tyler, Texas, says, “Use for pushing string or ribbon through small holes to affix them to items.”

Jean S. Ware of Houston says, “I clean out mud/grass/stones from the narrow ridges on the bottom of my tennis shoes.”

Sooo many uses for what some consider an old-fashioned tool. If you don’t have one in your home, I think you should buy one today!

Heloise

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate