Dear Heloise: I agree that we need to be more conservative about throwing things away. However, if you get into the middle of the ocean and see those mountains of plastic and debris, most of this is from other countries such as China, Korea and India.

If environmentalists want to do something productive, they need to go to these other nations that are polluting our Earth. I read that China is building many coal-fired power plants, while the Western world is either tearing them down or converting them to natural gas.

Our cars are the cleanest burning vehicles in decades. Now we are being pushed to buy electric vehicles. I believe that 40 years from now, we will look back at electric vehicles the way we look back at old Betamax tape players. “It seemed like a good idea at the time.” — D. Hansel, Houston

TWO-FOR-ONE HINT

Dear Heloise: I have two hints. One is that I use lids, like the ones for cottage cheese, as mini cutting boards. I use them for a piece of fruit or other small things like that. Whether you decide to wash or toss, at least you have used it a second time or more.

My second hint is to use whiteout for little chips on a white stove, or to touch up painted areas. — Bonnie Waterhouse, Burbank, California

IRON CLEANER

Dear Readers: Here’s an easy way to clean up your iron. When the bottom of your iron is cold, wipe a cloth soaked in diluted white vinegar to remove brown gunk and starch buildup. Repeat as needed.

I have put together a six-page pamphlet entitled “Heloise’s Fantabulous Vinegar Hints and More!” that details all about the many cleaning uses of vinegar. To order a pamphlet, go to www.Heloise.com or send $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. — Heloise

HELPING THE ­ENVIRONMENT

Dear Heloise: Here is a thought on how to save trees, as well as reduce paper waste going into landfills. After people wash their hands in public restrooms, they usually pull out numerous sheets of paper to try and dry their hands. Try this very simple idea instead:

Before drying, briskly flick the water off your hands into the sink. It only takes 6 seconds to do about 12 flicks, and this should remove most of the wetness. Afterward, a single sheet is all it will ever take to fully dry your hands.

This idea also reduces the time spent using hand dryers, which saves electricity. If more people would start doing this, it would provide major help for our environment. — W.C., Sierra Madre, California

WHEN ITEMS GET STUCK BETWEEN THE SEAT

Dear Heloise: I had dropped my phone between the seat and console in my car twice, so I came up with this idea. I purchased a pool noodle, then measured the length beside my car seat and cut the noodle to fit into that space. I pushed the noodle down into place so that no more items would wind up way under my seat! Problem solved. — Sharan Williams, Sac City, Iowa

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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.