Plastic newspaper sleeves good for traveling

DEAR HELOISE: Another hint for newspaper sleeves: If you are traveling with younger children, roll up a pair of socks, underwear, shorts and T-shirt, and put them in the sleeve. When they dress each morning, they have everything together and can dress themselves.

At night, put the dirty clothes back in the sleeve. Sure keeps the suitcases neater. This also is good for small children who have to get up early to go to the sitter or preschool. They can just pull an already-packed sleeve out of their drawer and not have to bother mom. -- Doris Turpin, Louisiana, Mo.

Credit-card disposal

DEAR HELOISE: When cutting up old credit cards, throw the pieces away a little at a time over several trash pick-ups so the pieces won't all be in the same trash bag, making it easy for someone to piece together. -- Melody E., San Antonio

DEAR MELODY: Many heavy-duty shredders will take care of this in a flash! If you cut the card up, particularly the name and number in small pieces, it would be almost impossible for someone to put the "puzzle" back together. -- Heloise

Electrical plug

DEAR HELOISE: Here's a hint for determining which way an electrical plug goes into a socket. Put a dab of bright nail polish on the "up" side. -- Jan Unger, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Cleaning wooden salad bowls

DEAR HELOISE: Through the years, my wooden salad bowls have acquired a sticky residue from various salad dressings. I am unsure what to use to clean this. I've tried everything that I could think of to clean the bowls without destroying their natural patina finish. What is the best and safest way to clean this sticky residue? -- Joanne Martin of Flemington, N.J.

DEAR JOANNE: If you keep your wooden bowls clean and reseasoned periodically, they can last for generations. Just use a mild liquid hand-dishwashing detergent to wash the bowls using warm water. Rinse and dry thoroughly, since prolonged exposure to water can cause damage. Next, use a soft cloth or paper towel to spread a light coat of mineral oil (vegetable oil can become rancid) on the entire bowl. Let it work for 12 hours or so, then wipe with a paper towel. When the beautiful wooden luster becomes dull, it is time to re-season.

Remember that water can damage your wooden bowls, so putting them in the dishwasher is a big no-no! -- Heloise

Wire hangers

DEAR HELOISE: I read about the plight of a reader with wire hangers. We use them to place into plants and flowers we leave at the cemetery. They can be cut into long spikes to place into the containers so that the containers don't fly around or tip over. This way, they retain their water a little longer and don't disappear in the cemetery proper. -- Mary E. Bernal, San Antonio

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.