Eateries have no place for coats

Dear Readers: Here is this week’s Sound Off, about restaurants and jackets:

“Is there any logical reason why virtually all restaurants have no provision for hanging coats, etc.? Seems like you always have to eat with your coat draped over an adjacent chair or elsewhere. A nuisance to all, and prone to unwanted food stains!”

Thomas in Lewistown, Pa.

Hi, Thomas, and thanks for writing.

I can think of two possible reasons most restaurants do not have a “coat check” for patrons to use.

It would be too easy for a thief to walk past the coat hanger, pick a coat and disappear.

Plus, if they had a person at the coat check, that’s one more person added to the payroll.

Heloise

Dear Readers: Other uses for coasters:

Put under candles to catch drips and protect surfaces.

Hold down napkins at a picnic.

In a pinch, place several together and use as a trivet.

Put under a small potted plant.

Use as a paperweight.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I inherited an art deco cedar armoire.

I have been living at the beach, and a few years ago I noticed a mildew odor coming from the inside. I took it inland to a drier area and left it open for a few weeks. I thought the odor was gone, but I opened it to get a jacket, and the smell is back.

How can I rid this armoire of the smell?

Carole, via email

Carol, you did what I would tell you to do. Repeat the airing-out process.

If it still smells damp, stuff it full of crumpled newspapers and close the lid for a week or so.

Of course, I must mention one of my best multiuse Heloise helpers: isopropyl or common rubbing alcohol. Put half water and half rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle marked with the ingredients. Spray with the solution, and put it back out in the sunlight to finish the job.

Good luck, and please write again and tell us the outcome.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I have navy and black socks that appear nearly identical in the light of early morning. I’ve saved myself from appearing in navy socks with black slacks: Black socks are paired into a ball; navy socks are paired just barely folded over.

Frank, via email

Smart move! Use one drawer area for black, one for blue, another for brown and one for “lost a mate.”

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I keep a pair of flip-flops by the back door in case I need to run outside.

P.M. in Texas

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

2015 King Features Syndicate