Shelters welcome coupons, too

DEAR HELOISE: I send all my many unwanted coupons to a home for women and children. Most all are used by the women and some shelter workers, too. Thank you. -- A Reader, Ontario, Canada

DEAR READER: Wonderful! Heloise Central checked with a women's shelter here in San Antonio, and it was very receptive to this hint. Coupons for everyday household and personal grooming items are a great idea. -- Heloise

P.S.: While you are at it, if you have hotel amenities such as shampoo, lotion and mouthwash, pass these along, too.

Freezer finder

DEAR HELOISE: I heard this hint the other day. A friend got so tired of trying to find what she was looking for in the freezer that she went to the dollar store and bought a lot of those plastic dollar shoe boxes. She came home and labeled each shoe box: "Pork" and the date, "Chicken" and the date, and "Beef" and the date. They stack great, and no more trying to see what is what.

I am going to redo my freezer and stack the boxes. I have a terrible time finding what I am looking for. -- D.J. in Ohio

Matchy-match

DEAR HELOISE: Here is an idea I tried: My husband brought home a bottle of orange-colored hand soap. My kitchen is blue and white, with red-apple accents. My solution: A few drops of red food coloring, and I have red soap now.

-- J.K., another Texas homemaker

Dirty dishcloth

DEAR HELOISE: I noticed a friend of mine toss her wadded-up dishcloth in the upper rack of her dishwasher before running it. I have tried this, and it works really well in keeping the dishcloth clean and fresh. -- Betsy in Maryland

DEAR BETSY: Be careful. The cloth can come loose and get caught in the dishwasher. Secure the cloth if you use this hint. -- Heloise

Self-gripping fabric tape

DEAR HELOISE: What can you do to get self-gripping fabric tape to stick again on shoes? -- A Reader, via email

DEAR READER: Easy answer. Clean the lint out of the fabric tape. Use a small crochet hook or an old, stiff toothbrush to gently clean out the debris. (The closures getting clogged usually is what keeps the tape from sticking properly.)

Also, pressing the two sides together when not wearing the shoes will help prevent lint from building up. -- Heloise

Fast facts

DEAR READERS: If you wear contact lenses, you probably have a collection of lens cases, like I do. Here are some hints on how to use them:

n Store small earrings in when traveling.

n Use for petroleum-jelly or lip-gloss storage.

n Use for creams, lotions or liquid makeup when on the go.

n In a sink without a stopper, can be used to block the drain while putting in contacts or putting on jewelry.

-- Heloise

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 email, Heloise@Heloise.com.