Dear Heloise: I use a permanent marker to write the size inside my children’s bluejeans. I mark it on the white pocket lining about an inch below the waistband. No more hunting for hidden or lost size tags in order to sort the clothes.

Garage-sale customers or friends that the jeans are given to will also appreciate having the sizes clearly marked. - Nancy, Vienna, Ohio

Dear Heloise: To clean basting and dish-scraping brushes, place them on the top rack when you run a load in your dishwasher. Each brush comes out clean and ready to use once again. - Virginia Gies, Hastings, Mich.

If the brushes are lightweight, make sure they are secured on the shelf so they can’t bounce around inside the washer. - Heloise

Dear Heloise: Like Teresa of Texas, I, too, burned a laminated countertop near my stove. I purchased a glass inlaid top at my local hardware store. It was easy to install. I now use it to put my hot pans on and there are no more worries about ruining another countertop.- Monica Bower, Rapid City, S.D.