Check face creams for peroxide

DEAR READERS: Here are two good hints from M. Burke, via e-mail:

Face creams

Prescription face creams from dermatologists often have peroxide in them. Please warn parents that teens using these creams should not use colored face cloths, towels, etc., as the color will be removed. It would be great if druggists would include warnings in these prescriptions.

Green recycling

In Europe, plastic shopping bags are not used. You must bring your own bags when food shopping. If you must use plastic bags from the store, save them and return them on your next trip. Most supermarkets now have places to drop them off. If everyone pitched in, we would have a cleaner, greener country.

Here's a scoop

DEAR HELOISE: I have found multiple uses for plastic laundry-detergent scoops that come in boxes of detergent. I place them in bags of ice melter so I can scoop it out instead of pouring from the bag.

I even use them in the kitchen to hold soap pads. This way, the soap pad does not leave a rust stain on the sink. They also work great for adding water to the automatic fabric-softener dispenser in the washer. -- Mark Quesenberry, Hilliard, Ohio

Check pockets

DEAR HELOISE: So many times I have forgotten to check pockets on clothes before washing and have had a tissue shred through my whole load. What a frustrating mess.

Now I tape a piece of paper stating "check pockets" on my laundry-detergent bottle/box. It is an excellent reminder, and saves me a lot of grief and time. -- Pam, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Microwave smell

DEAR HELOISE: A while ago, you shared how to get rid of smells in the microwave, and recently, my daughter burned popcorn in our microwave, which still smells terrible. Can you tell me what the secret is to getting rid of foul odors in the microwave? -- Susan in Springfield, N.J.

SUSAN: This is one of the Heloise Top Ten Questions that comes in, so here's the update: Wipe down the inside of the microwave with a damp sponge sprinkled with baking soda. Then use another clean, damp sponge to remove the baking soda.

Mix 1/2 cup of lemon juice and 1/2 cup of water in a 4-cup or larger microwave-safe bowl. Place in the microwave and heat on high until the water boils. Then let it sit for 10-15 minutes. The water will cool down, and then you can remove the bowl and wipe the walls with a sponge. -- Heloise

Plant watering

DEAR HELOISE: When watering plants in pots too heavy to lift, I use a turkey baster to remove the excess water from the saucer. -- Margaret Schumacher, La Mirada, Calif.

Hints from Heloise is syndicated by King Features Syndicate. Send great hints to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; by fax, 210-HELOISE (435-6473); or by e-mail, Heloise@Heloise.com.