Dear Heloise: In response to the question about freezing corn, I freeze it in the shuck, then microwave it when needed. In the summer, when the sweet corn goes on sale, I buy it, then freeze it in packs of two to four ears. I trim both ends of the ear about 1 inch, but leave the shuck on. This way, when it is microwaved, the silks peel off perfectly. — Jeff Youngblood, via email

SIMPLE BATTERY ­REMOVAL

Dear Heloise: Sometimes I have trouble removing an old battery from clocks and other things. My solution is to tie a small, thin ribbon around the new battery (leaving a short end on the ribbon) before I insert it into the clock. Then when the battery runs out, I can just grab the end of the ribbon and easily pull the battery out. And then, I slip the ribbon off the old battery and place it onto the new one before it goes into the clock. Easy-peasy!

I read your hints in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Keep up the good work! — Pam Weeks, via email

SPLATTER SHIELD

Dear Heloise: I have a stand mixer with a shield, but sometimes I just need to quickly whip something, like heavy whipping cream, but my hand mixer will splash the cream outside of the bowl, making a mess on the counter and, at times, on my clothes.

So, I took a deep-dish, frozen plastic pie shell cover and pierced two holes in it, matching it with the beater holes on my mixer. Then I just insert the beaters into the mixer with the plastic pie cover between the mixer and the beater holes. The clear plastic allows you to see the ingredients being whipped and prevents splashing at the same time!

The cleaned plastic pie cover can be used several times before recycling. I love your hints! — Wanda N. Shelton, Ashdown, Arkansas

PERFECT PILLOWCASES

Dear Heloise: We may never solve the question of how often to change our bedsheets. I change them every other week, but I don’t try to influence anyone else about their sheets.

My feel-good trick has to do with pillowcases. They get changed twice a week. It feels so good to put my head down on clean, unwrinkled pillowcases. I remember Jackie Kennedy had all of her bedding changed daily. Since I do the laundry, it’s too much additional washing, but pillowcases are no trouble for me. — Polly Kay, Mission Viejo, California

TOO MUCH ZUCCHINI?

Dear Heloise: If your garden is overflowing with zucchini, shred a bunch (I use a food processor) and freeze them in 1- or 2-cup portions. Thaw, then squeeze out the liquid, and you can make zucchini bread, muffins or cookies all year long. — P. Derieg, Costa Mesa, California

SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES

Dear Heloise: Your recommendation for safety deposit boxes is excellent. I’m a firm believer in them, but I have one caveat:

I’m a Houston customer with a box at the country’s largest bank, but now I know the bank is no longer accepting new box rentals or moving possessions from one current box to another. It might be too late for many. — Jack Hall, in Houston

Jack, you make a good point. Thanks for the tip! — 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.