Heloise

Dear Heloise: I’m writing in today for my father; I am his daughter. My father is not a computer person and still reads the newspaper everyday with his morning or afternoon coffee. He turns 91 this Dec. 1. He is an avid reader of your column, and as far back as I can remember when growing up, my father would read your column, often reading them or sharing with family.

My dad approached me in a recent visit to see him and my mother, and he asked if I would assist him in submitting his idea to “Hints With Heloise.” Of course I said “yes,” then asked that he please explain his idea. The idea is very useful. Please read below:

“I’m sure that other people have this problem, so I am providing this idea that has assisted me and may assist others regarding plastic toothpaste containers. It’s hard to get plastic toothpaste containers to last, especially past the last half of the tube.

I have been using a ‘paper clamp’ from the dollar store that is wide enough to attach to the bottom of the toothpaste tube. Essentially, the clamp is used to move the toothpaste up the tube about a 1/2 inch as needed to get the toothpaste through the tube until it’s gone.”

Just a note: I tried this idea on my lotion tube, and it worked, too! I have enjoyed your column every day in the Ventura County Star in Ventura, California. — Bob V. and Christine, in Santa Paula, California

Bob and Christine, thank you for your hint and for being such loyal readers! — Heloise

ONION POWDER CLUMPS

Dear Heloise: How do I keep onion powder from clumping up and becoming solidified? — Steve M., in Little Rock, Arkansas

Steve, add about 1 teaspoon of uncooked rice to the shaker to absorb the moisture, then store it in a cool dark place. — Heloise

TO WEAR PERFUME OR NOT?

Dear Readers: We’ve received a number of letters about whether or not to wear perfume. Some people say that it triggers a migraine; a few others say it does not, but it does make a migraine more acute.

Fewer people wear perfume in America than they did a century ago, but some people like to wear what they call their “signature scent.” Personally, I don’t wear perfume too often. I certainly would never wear it in a hospital or a nursing home, but I can understand how someone might enjoy a mild spray.

So, if you wear perfume, you might want to lightly spray a cotton ball, let it dry, and then tuck it into your bra or shirt. It can be removed if it causes a problem. — Heloise

AVOIDING SNAKES

Dear Heloise: Another method that Jan M., in Moline, Illinois, can use to keep snakes off her property is to buy some powdered sulfur from a feed store. She can put it in something like a gunny sack and drag it around the perimeter of her home. It will repel snakes.

When I was a leader of a girl’s camping group, I always kept a plastic bag of the powdered sulfur in my glove compartment with a powder puff in it. When the girls and I got out of the car and into the country, we’d dust our ankles with it to prevent chigger bites.

Thanks for all the helpful hints in your column! — Charlotte R., via email