TRY THIS TIP ON YOUR NEXT VACATION
Dear Heloise: We like to stay in Airbnbs for extended vacations, and we typically look for units with laundry facilities. Sometimes this is just not possible, so if that’s the case, we pack clothes that we were planning on getting rid of. Then we either throw out the clothes or donate them. This also leaves room for souvenirs in our suitcases. -- S.B., Fort Wayne, Texas
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
Dear Heloise: I just read in your column about someone wanting to put in a car-charging station before looking at electric vehicles. Our son-in-law just bought an electric car, and it can already recharge on our regular household voltage at 110v -- not the 240v that some require! At night, he just plugs it in to recharge overnight.
This car runs on both electricity and gasoline, and he can switch back and forth as needed. Before you buy any electric vehicle, confirm what you’ll need to buy to recharge your vehicle! -- Maryanne C., Westfield, Massachusetts
MICROWAVE REHEATING
Dear Heloise: There are a number of foods we can reheat in a microwave oven, but there are several that we shouldn’t. There are also some foods that should either be consumed or tossed out. The following are foods we should never reheat in a microwave:
- Eggs. They tend to get rubbery.
- Rice.
- Pizza. It gets soggy in a microwave. Reheat in a skillet or in the oven to keep the crust crispy.
- Steak. It usually just dries out the meat
- Chicken. Reheat slowly in the oven instead.
- Nachos. Place them on a baking sheet, add fresh cheese, then heat in the oven.
- Pasta. Spritz it lightly with water, cover and heat in an oven.
- Fries. Reheat in an air fryer. Microwaving makes them soggy.
- Seafood. Reheat in the oven, but throw it out if it’s more than 3 days old.
- Mushrooms. Don’t reheat them. They need to be fresh. -- Lorrain E., New Bedford, Massachusetts
HARD WATER HELP
Dear Heloise: I have hard water, and now my lovely cut glass stemware is cloudy. How can I get the minerals off of my wine glasses? -- Frank P., Stone Mountain, Georgia
Frank, to remove buildup on drinking glasses, use a sink filled with warmed (not boiling) household vinegar for about 1-2 hours. Afterward, scrub with dish soap and a nylon net scrubber.
Please note: If this does not work, the glass might be permanently etched, and unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done at this stage. -- Heloise
FUZZY PILLS
Dear Heloise: I have “pilling” fuzz balls on my sheets. How can I avoid this in the future, and can these fuzz balls be removed? -- Connie J., Lima, Ohio
Connie, pilling is the result of friction when fibers rub against each other while laundering or when rough feet slide across the sheets. Any abrasive motion can also contribute to the breaking of these fibers.
Try washing your sheets in cold water, and avoid harsh detergents and fabric softeners. Use a gentle cycle and dry on low heat. Do not dry the sheets in direct sunlight. Then remove the little fuzzy pills with an electric shaver. -- Heloise
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