Dear Heloise: Just wanted to tell Bob, who wrote a hint about catching cold water in the shower, to be aware that 1-3 gallons of water is considered wasteful, especially in Southern California. Please consider finding a recirculation pump for under your sink that is far away from the water heater or one that gets installed on top of the water heater. It should save you a lot of water and the hassle of lugging buckets. — Falcon Frank, Ventura, California

CLEANING A BLENDER OR FOOD PROCESSOR

Dear Readers: To clean a blender or food processor, fill it halfway with water and add 1-2 drops of liquid dishwashing detergent. Put on the lid, run it for several seconds, then rinse and let dry. If you have a handheld European-style blender, fill a dip bowl or large glass with water and a drop of liquid detergent. Cover and whir on a low speed for several seconds. Then rinse and let dry.

Caution: Handle food processor blades very carefully. The serrated ones are especially sharp and can cut you with just a touch of your fingers. — Heloise

GAS PUMPS

Dear Heloise: At times, I have driven up to get gas only to see the display on the pump telling me that something was wrong. Either it wouldn’t take my credit card, or there wasn’t any paper in it for my receipt. However, I keep extra plastic grocery bags in my truck, so I will often take a bag and place it over the gas nozzle, showing people not to use this pump.

Sometimes, I will go into the gas station and tell the person behind the counter that the gas pump isn’t working or that there isn’t any paper for a receipt. Most times, they will give me the “OK” or “So what?” reply. But when I tell them that I have put the pump out of service and no gas will be pumped from it, that usually gets their attention. — D. Hansel, in Houston

YARD SALES

Dear Readers: This is the time when yard sales may start popping up in your neighborhood. If you are a devotee of them, always go prepared with boxes or plastic or paper bags to hold the items that you buy.

Not only will you find bargains, meet interesting people, and maybe even enjoy snacks or food that is offered, they are also lots of fun! You may encoutner interesting people in a new neighborhood. — Heloise

REMOVING MUSTARD STAINS

Dear Readers: With spring and summer approaching, it will soon be time for outdoor barbecues and parties. Hot dogs and hamburgers will surely be on menu. But the mustard that we love to slather on dogs and burgers may also drip and end up on our clothing.

If this happens, try to remove it as soon as you can. Dampen the areas and rub liquid laundry detergent into the stain. Rinse, then soak in laundry detergent and hot or warm water for several hours. It will be gone, and then you can launder it with enzyme detergent. — Heloise

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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.