Hints From Heloise

Dear Heloise: Many of today’s washing machines have an automatic dispenser for liquid fabric softener, but with constant use they soon get coated with a gummy residue.

To help prevent this, at the start of the fill cycle use the fabric-softener cap to add a capful of warm water in the dispenser before you add the softener. This dilutes the softener and allows more efficient emptying of the dispenser. - Esther Lee, Carlisle, Pa.

You are right on the money! Some manufacturers of fabric softeners do recommend diluting it to help prevent washer buildup. So be sure to read the directions on the bottle before adding the softener to the dispenser. Thanks for the reminder. - Heloise

Dear Heloise: I used to leave the house in the morning only to have to return immediately after I remembered something that I had to take with me to the office or that the children needed for school.

Now, in order not to leave anything behind, I tape a checklist on the door that says what is needed on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc. This helps ensure at a glance that whatever’s necessary (library books, backpacks, forms, lunches, work folders, daily planner) will be beside the door in the morning. No matter how sleepy we may be in the morning, we will have to walk over to open the door. This has made mornings so much easier on all of us. - Grace S. Duffy, Katy, Texas