Dear Heloise: Frugal plumber here! Everyone likes to make fun of plumbers when they bend over, but I do not have that problem. I stretch cotton materials before I put them in the dryer or hang them to dry. Doing this makes some quite a bit longer; it adds over 4 inches to my shirts, even after the dryer. I also do this with my young kid’s clothes. Pants and shirts will last months and are longer for length.

I read you in the Charles City Press. — Allen Pederson, via email

WATER INTAKE

Dear Heloise: I wanted to write in regarding the tip from Susan I., in Yuma, Arizona, about drinking more water. Ladies, please realize that 8 glasses of water is only a recommendation for what might be considered the weight of an “average” woman. I had followed this guideline at one time and was shocked when my physician informed me that my body did not have enough sodium, since I am very thin. I was in danger of having my brain shrink!

I learned that there is a formula to follow: Take your body weight in pounds, then divide it in half. The result is how many ounces of water you should consume in a day. In other words, if you weigh 128 pounds and divide it in half, you would drink 64 ounces (8 cups) a day. Adjust your intake up or down according to your weight. Of course, if you are out in the heat or doing vigorous exercise, you would then have to increase your intake. — Annie R., The Villages, Florida

PROTECTING CARD ­NUMBERS

Dear Heloise: I use clear office tape to cover the printed numbers on transit passes, gift cards, work-access fobs, badges, etc. These codes easily rub off often, and the tape provides the right amount of protection to keep the numbers legible for years! — Jeremy Baird, Ballston Spa, New York

EYE GLASS CLEANER

Dear Heloise: I have been using hand sanitizers (not liquid soap) to clean my prescription eye glasses for years. Works perfectly. — Allen Haas, via email

CAT LITTER CLEARS ODOR

Dear Heloise: I ordered books from a secondary seller on Amazon. They arrived with a very moldy smell, but didn’t have any visible mold. I had about 1/3 of a bucket of scented, clumping cat litter. I laid a paper towel in the bucket on top of the litter, then stood the books fanned out  inside of the bucket. I closed the lid and left them in there for two days. All the books came out smelling great, and the cat litter was still usable. — J.W., in California

PACKING WITH PUPPY PADS

Dear Heloise: If you’re packing up china or other tableware, puppy training pads are an excellent choice for protecting the fragile cargo. They fold and layer easily between plates, so a single pad can protect three to four plates.

You can also cut the pads in half for smaller saucers and plates. Just find the cheapest options online or at your local big-box store. — M.K., in Florida

ANTS ON COUNTERTOPS

Dear Heloise: If you don’t have any vinegar on hand, soapy water will work just fine for ants on your countertops. I use about 1/4 cup dish soap to 1/2 cup water. It kills the ants and is safe. — M.S., in California

— — —

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.