Heloise

Dear Heloise: When our family of 30 gathers together, every outlet fills up with phone chargers. By the day’s end, everyone’s asking, “Is this mine?” To prevent mix-ups, each person marks their power adapter and USB cable with the initial of their first name by using a permanent marker. We also assign different ink colors so that chargers are easy to spot at a glance.

This simple system saves time, prevents accidental swaps, and makes cleanup much easier when guests are heading out the door. A little identification goes a long way! — Ruby Kent, in New Boston, New Hampshire

SILVERWARE SMARTS

Dear Heloise: I read your column daily in the Dayton Daily News and always learn something! I wanted to write in with my thoughts on two common household debates.

First, the silverware debate: In the dish drainer, should they go up or down? For everyday use, I think you should place forks and spoons with the handle down (tines and bowls up) to improve air circulation and drying. If you are unloading a dishwasher or want less contact with eating surfaces, having the handle up is more sanitary.

The real key? Clean the drain basket often! Food and water collect underneath, so wash and disinfect it weekly to prevent buildup and odors. In summary, choose the best utensil position based on your cleaning method, but always keep the drain basket clean. I hope this helps put your household debates to rest.

Wishing you many happy and efficient days in the kitchen! — Lizabeth Ellison, in Miamisburg, Ohio

DIY WASTEBASKETS

Dear Heloise: I use 7-by-10-inch paper gift bags as small, lightweight wastebaskets for bedrooms, bathrooms, and my home office. They’re perfect for holding tissues, bits of paper, or other light waste. When a bag is full, I toss it and replace it; there’s no need to scrub or disinfect a plastic can. The bags can sit on the floor or hang from a drawer pull or a cabinet knob to save space, which is helpful in small rooms.

Gift bags come in many colors and patterns, so you can match them with your decor or swap them seasonally for a new look. Functional and decorative — a win-win! Yours is my favorite column in the Ventura County Star. — Dory M., in Camarillo, California

KEEPING MICE OUT OF STORED VEHICLES

Dear Heloise: Vehicles that sit unused for weeks can attract mice that are looking for a warm nesting spot. They often build nests and chew wiring, leading to expensive repairs. To help deter them, I place a few mothballs inside vehicles that aren’t driven regularly. The strong scent repels mice and other small pests.

I keep the mothballs in small breathable containers so that they stay put and are easy to remove. Before driving, I simply open the windows to air out the smell. Be sure to keep mothballs away from children and pets as they can be harmful if swallowed. — Jeff Wilkins, in Colorado Springs, Colorado

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.