HELOISE: Labels from jars gum up the works

Dear Heloise: We have a relatively “new” dishwasher. It quit working. I called the serviceman, and he took apart the inner workings. The spinner that threw water had stopped, and there was a gummy, sticky substance clogging up the mechanism. I realized I often put jam or peanut-butter jars in the dishwasher, and what was gumming up my dishwasher was the sticky glue and paper from the labels. Now I never put anything with a label on it in my dishwasher. Hope this saves others unnecessary repair bills.

Janet in Missouri

Thanks for sharing your experience. Readers certainly will benefit from it.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: With our need to pack and carry less luggage, I have a hint. Rather than packing a bottle of fingernail-polish remover, place cotton squares in a sealable sandwich bag. Then pour in enough polish remover to saturate the squares. Remove air and seal the bag. Then double-bag it in another sandwich bag as a precaution. This could work for other clear liquids — alcohol, etc. If I am carrying polish or other such liquids, I sandwich-bag them as well, placing all such items inside a gallon sealable storage bag.

Carol Golden, Kingwood, Texas

A space and weight travel hint. However, this is not advisable in carry-on luggage, because it may not pass through security. A representative with the Transportation Security Administration said the screener has the discretion to allow it on board or not. However, this is a helpful hint for all other travels, such as auto, bus or train.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: Cleaning brass with ketchup is quick, easy and practical. It surpasses using the thick residue that cakes in the crevices of the souvenirs.

Margarette Mattern, Temple, Texas

Dear Heloise: If you have a pin or brooch you want to make into a necklace (pendant), cut a drinking straw, run the piece onto the pin and fasten. You have a loop for the necklace to go through.

Corrinne, via e-mail

Send a 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

Dear Heloise: I have a hint about keeping track of the name and paint for a room. I write the name and formula of the paint under the switch-plate cover of the light switch. When the switch plate is installed, it protects the information and keeps it out of sight. Now, when it comes time to repaint or there are new owners, all the information for each room is right there under the switch plate.

Sherry from Arkansas

Dear Heloise: The wet mop I have requires pricey pads. For spot-mopping throughout the week, I affix about two to three paper towels by poking the four corners into the places where the pads go. Because the mop base has a spray feature, I fold the paper towels down below the spray head so that the liquid is unimpeded.

Patti in Texas