Heloise

Dear Heloise: I like to move around when I use my laptop computer. I put it on a cafeteria tray to keep it steady and the airflow clear. I can put handy things there like glasses, pencils, sticky notes, earbuds, and a flash drive. I’m good to go! — A Reader, via email

WRINKLE REMOVER

Dear Heloise: I had several cotton/polyester blouses that were wrinkled. Instead of dragging out the ironing board, I spritzed each one with cold water from a spray bottle. The wrinkles fell out, and the blouses were ready to wear when they dried. — Sue, via email

A STICKY SOLUTION

Dear Heloise: I live alone now, so I do not have help with putting on bracelets with a clasp. I use clear tape to hold one end of the bracelet to my arm to be steady while I fasten the bracelet to the clasp. It works every time. — A Reader, via email

BANANA BONANZA

Dear Heloise: My mother-in-law keeps telling me to use banana peels in my garden to help my plants grow. Does this really work? — Briana, in Winslow, Indiana

Brianna, your mother-in-law is right! One way is to simply boil the peelings from two or more bananas in about a gallon of water for 5 minutes. Put the entire mixture in the refrigerator in a covered container for two days, then water your plants with this nutrient-rich tea.

Another method is to cut up the peelings and add them to the root system of the plant as it’s being planted. The banana peel decays and feeds the plant in the process.

A third method is to dry out the peelings, then grind them up (maybe in a blender), and add this to the soil as a fertilizer. — Heloise

SPICE GIRL

Dear Heloise: Here’s a meal-planning hint: I put a handy, alphabetized list of my spices on my phone. When planning a recipe, I simply refer to the list to see what I have at home. This prevents me from buying duplicate spices! — Sandy L., Papillion, Nebraska

Sandy, why stop at spices? You can do this for every food item in your pantry or fridge. Thanks for the hint! — Heloise

CLEAN MOUSE PAD

Dear Heloise: My mouse pad has become discolored due to contact with skin oils. Do I have any hope of getting it clean? — Jennifer, in Los Angeles

Jennifer, there is always hope. How about a quick swipe of either rubbing alcohol or witch hazel on a cotton pad? The mouse pad may not come out perfectly clean, but its worn patch is a testament to your hard work! — Heloise

PET PAL

Dear Heloise: Here is our rescue dog, Lucy, taking a nap while basking in the glow of the sun. — Bill and Nancy Macksam, via email

Readers, to see Lucy and our other Pet Pals, go to Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.”

Do you have a furry friend to share with our readers? Send a photo and a brief description to Heloise@Heloise.com. — Heloise

Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.