Sign helps if store is out of product

Dear Readers: Today’s Sound Off is about grocery stores:

Dear Heloise: I find it annoying when a store that’s temporarily out of an item fills the space with something else. To determine whether the item isn’t there, we have to read the shelf labels, which is difficult for those labels that aren’t eye-level.

One department store puts out cards stating that the product is temporarily unavailable. This is much kinder.

Carol F., via email

Carol, I did a quick survey in Heloise Central, and this seems to happen only a few times. Most importantly, let management know then, not later! Also, most companies pay a “slotting” fee, which can be very, very expensive, to be on the shelves, so they would be unhappy to know that another product is in their space.

Heloise

P.S.: This is a good time to “test” a new product or brand. If you don’t like it, you can take it back!

Dear Readers: Other uses for insulated sleeves for drinks:

Hold loose change.

As a small centerpiece or vase.

Hold pencils, pens, ruler and scissors.

Protect floors from marks made by heavy furniture legs.

Store light bulbs to prevent breakage.

Small fruit protector – no bruising in lunch bags.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: How do I remove soap scum from glass shower doors? I have tried some products, like glass and all-purpose cleaners, but they don’t do a good job.

Thanks so much.

Carey, via email

Carey, this can be a tough job. Glass cleaner cleans glass, but usually not the gunk on shower doors. Try my longtime favorite: a bottle of cheap shampoo and a scrubbie. Also, vinegar will cut scum buildup. After a shower, when the walls are damp, pour cheap shampoo on a plastic or sponge scrubbie and scrub away! Let it sit for an hour or so, rinse and wipe off. To help you save money and time, I put all of my homemade cleaning solutions in one place. For a copy of Heloise’s Homemade Cleaning Solutions, send $5 and a stamped (71 cents), self-addressed, business-size envelope to: Heloise/Cleaning Solutions, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Order online at www.Heloise.com. You can make a 16-ounce bottle of multipurpose cleaner for pennies. Why buy commercial products when you don’t have to?

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I wear lipstick, but it can be embarrassing when lipstick gets on my teeth. Hope my hint helps other women. Once you’ve applied lipstick, take your index finger and place it between your teeth, close your lips then slowly pull your finger out between your lips. This removes the lipstick from inside your lips, which is what gets on your teeth.

Anne M. in Las Vegas

Yep! I learned this a long time ago. The universal girlfriend “signal’” is when she looks at you and acts like she is wiping something off her teeth.

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 email it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

2016 King Features Syndicate