Dear Heloise: What’s the best way to SAFELY WASH GREENS? I love a fresh, delicious salad this time of year. — Kelly T. in San Antonio

Kudos, Kelly, for eating greens! Here are a few hints:

* Wash greens immediately before eating, not when you first bring them home.

* From a head of lettuce, bunch of spinach or stalk of kale, cut fork-size pieces (1 inch) and submerge in a bowl of cold water.

* Give it time for the dirt particles (it comes from the earth, after all) to fall to the bottom of the bowl (about 15 minutes).

* Reach in and grab the greens and transfer to a colander. DON’T dump the bowl into the colander; you’ll redeposit sediment back over and into the greens.

* Either spin-dry in a lettuce spinner or blot dry in paper or cloth toweling.

— Heloise

THE BIG GRAB

Dear Heloise: Please make sure your readers are aware that a man on a bicycle can come by you in a crowd, grab your purse right out of your hand and be gone in a flash! Hang on tight to your bag, and keep it zipped. — Melanie T. in Illinois

BACK-TO-SCHOOL CLOTHES

Dear Heloise: It’s not quite time for back to school yet, but when shopping for clothes for my kids, I bring them along. I allow them to have a say in what is purchased. If they don’t like it, they won’t wear it.

Of course, there are boundaries -short shorts, crop tops and muscle shirts are a “no,” but we compromise on a T-shirt with a favorite band on it. — Jessica M. in Ohio

WHITE PEPPER AND BLACK PEPPER

Dear Readers: Have you tried white pepper instead of black pepper in your cooking? White pepper is more intense and hotter than black pepper.

But hold on to your wallet: White pepper can be three times the price! — Heloise

BY HOOK OR BY CROOK

Dear Heloise: I carry a large plastic hook with me in my purse. It comes in handy in a public restroom to hang my bag on. Many stalls don’t provide hooks.

And when I’m finished, I pull the paper down off the roll for the next patron. This is a big courtesy. — Ellen M. in New Jersey

HINT FOR HIM

Dear Heloise: My husband had a problem with ring around the collar. I took plain white chalk and rubbed it into the collar. Then I launder as usual, and I ask my husband to wash his neck better! We love your column. — J.M.R. in Florida

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Hints from Heloise run occasionally in Lifestyles. Readers may send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE, or email: Heloise@Heloise.com. Letters won’t be answered personally.