Dear Heloise: The 4-ounce plastic containers from jello, pudding and applesauce are great to use as measuring cups. I keep canisters full of flour, sugar, cornmeal and coffee. They work well in an oatmeal carton and with powdered laundry products. They are also wonderful for holding paint for crafts.

The rectangular plastic containers that shortening sticks come in are excellent for keeping small medicine or nail polish bottles neat and upright. — Joyce Moore, via email

FRAUD PREVENTION

Dear Heloise: If you put your credit cards in an Altoids tin, it will prevent anyone from using a scanner to get your information. Also, the tin is the exact size of most credit cards. — Marie, Athens, Alabama

GARBAGE DISPOSAL HINT

Dear Heloise: I have read your mother’s and your column for years and appreciate all the wonderful hints I have learned! Here’s one of mine:

My garbage disposal was smelling badly, even after I poured baking soda and vinegar inside it. I finally thought about removing the rubber splash guard, and oh my gosh! The bottom of it was caked with bits of decayed food. I scrubbed it good and will check it regularly from now on! — Margie, Colorado Springs, Colorado

FALSE CHARGES

Dear Heloise: Please advise your readers to carefully check their monthly credit card statements for unordered subscriptions. I ordered one supplement online, but was billed for a monthly subscription. When I called the company, I was told there were terms on their website that said unless I “cancelled,” I’d be getting monthly shipments. There were no such terms on the website. — Joanne Schmidt, Houston

NO FLEAS

Dear Heloise: I read your hints in the Herald Mail and find many useful tips. Thank you! I just read your hint on how to get rid of fleas. I had a groomer tell me that when putting down new carpet or flooring, you should scatter borax first. I have done this for years and gave this tip to our sons, and we never have a problem with fleas. Keep giving out those great hints. — Nancy P., Hagerstown, Maryland

A MIRACLE PET PAL

Dear Heloise: I went to a county animal shelter in Northern California to evaluate a stray dog, Kate, who had been picked up that week. She had neither identification tags nor a microchip, and she was described as aggressive and unapproachable.

After a few minutes alone with her, the problem was clear: Kate was completely blind, and her spirit was broken. I brought the smelly girl home with me and immediately gave her a bath and blow dry. CMSR then gave me the green light to have her evaluated for cataract removal surgery.

The surgery was done about two months after her rescue, and a true miracle happened thereafter. One week after the surgery, Kate went from total blindness to chasing butterflies in my backyard.

She’s learning how to trust people, perhaps for the first time in her life. She’s got another month of post-operative appointments before she will be ready for her forever home. Kate and I are so very grateful to the generous members of CMSR and the experts at the Animal Vision Center in Sacramento, California. They saved her life. — Nancy J., Rancho Murieta, California

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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.