Heloise

Dear Heloise: I want to warn readers about something that happened in my home. I have a magnifying lamp for crafts, and one afternoon, I smelled smoke. Sunlight from our skylight had focused through the lens and started to scorch my end table. Fortunately, I caught it quickly. Two days later, I learned someone else nearby had sunlight hit her magnifying lamp, and because she was away, her house was badly damaged.

I never realized that a magnifier could act like a burning glass, but this is exactly what it does. Now I make sure that the lamp is turned away from windows when it’s not in use and that the lens cover is closed. Please remind readers to be careful with these lamps. — Yooper Annie, in Escanaba, Michigan

CUT UTILITY COSTS

Dear Heloise: Reducing my electric bill is important to me, so I’ve developed some helpful habits that save me money every month:

With my dishwasher, I skip the heated dry cycle. When the final rinse is finished, I open the door and let the steam escape. If I give the racks a gentle shake to knock off excess water, the dishes usually air-dry quickly while they’re still warm.

For laundry, I wash most loads in cold water. Modern detergents work just fine and save energy. When I can, I hang clothes to dry on hangers or racks. In the winter, the extra indoor moisture even helps with dry air.

I also wipe condensation off the toilet tank during humid weather so that it doesn’t drip onto the floor over time. These small steps add up on my monthly bills. — Harvey Versteeg, in Augusta, Maine

FREEZING MILK

Dear Heloise: I don’t drink as much milk as I used to, but I still enjoy having it handy for my morning cereal and favorite recipes. I used to feel a bit let down when a half-gallon would spoil before I could finish it.

Now, whenever I buy a fresh container, I simply pour some into a clean plastic bottle, leaving a little room at the top for expansion, and pop it into the freezer. When my milk runs low in the fridge, I just move the frozen bottle in to thaw, and it’s ready when I need it.

After it’s thawed, I give it a good shake to mix it up again. It works wonderfully for me and saves me from the guilty feeling of pouring spoiled milk down the drain! This one simple step has helped me waste less, save money, and feel better about how I use my groceries! — Errol, via email

PET PAL

Dear Heloise: We fostered two kittens from the Corona Animal Shelter this past November and planned to adopt one when he reached an appropriate weight. Of course, we fell in love with both kittens. A year later, the brothers from the same litter are best buddies! Starry and Stormy bring us much joy. We love your column! — Julie Uhl, via email

Readers, to see Starry and Stormy, as well as 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.