Helpful Tips - The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

DEAR HELOISE: Whether someone is calling me on my cell phone or my landline, I believe people should always leave a message.

With caller ID, more people don't even bother to leave one. I refuse to call people back who don't leave a message. I'm like, "Why did you call? It doesn't matter if you didn't leave a message." And these callers are not telemarketers or scammers, they are my family and friends. So my advice is to leave a message.

- Carrie H

Colorado Springs, Colorado.

DEAR HELOISE: After many years of tossing mushy cranberries at the bottom of the bin of fresh cranberries, I've finally figured out how to keep them fresh until they're gone.

Rinse them first and lay them on a paper towel to dry. Next, place a thin layer of blueberries on a paper towel in a larger flat plastic container. Continue layering with a paper towel in between until all the cranberries are used up. You can iterate through them as you layer and delete any you don't want to keep.

I have not lost a blueberry using this method.

--Exit,

San Clemente, California

DEAR READERS: If you have thrown away badly damaged or unusable clothing during a spring cleaning campaign, donate the clean, undamaged clothing that you no longer need. Contact local charities to see if you can donate the clothes to them. You can donate to churches, independent charities, or local school theater groups who may need these garments for their stage productions.

DEAR READERS: Dishwashers are indispensable kitchen appliances. They are stocked daily with pots, pans, dishes and more that we use to prepare food. But the dishwasher can be used to clean a variety of other items that you have around the house.

For example, these items can go in the dishwasher to clean (but wash outside of the dishes): cotton (not wool) baseball caps, small plastic toys, flip-flops, combs, sink lids, and sponges. Place items that could come loose safely on the top shelf.

Larger items such as stove grills, exhaust filters or refrigerator shelves can be stored on the lower shelf.

Send a time or money saving tip to Heloise, PO Box 795001, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; Fax to (210) 435-6473; Or E-Mail

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