Great Advise for all on recycling. Heloise answers letters only in her King Features Syndicate column. Here is her submission to http://www.dispatch.com.
Dear Readers: Did you know that, in 1989, federal law required that the plastic six-pack beverage rings be 100 percent photodegradable? In other words, sunlight should break down the plastic into small pieces over time (about 60 to 120 days, depending on the season and weather conditions). But that depends on where you live and whether the plastic is fully exposed to sun and heat. If it is buried in the landfill, I don’t think it will deteriorate in two months or less.
It is always better to recycle the plastic rings or cut them into pieces before depositing them in the trash. This prevents small birds and animals from getting caught in them and either becoming seriously injured or dying.
Here’s a hint: If you don’t want to bother having to cut the plastic rings, then avoid buying six-pack beverages that are attached by them. Buy either cans in a cardboard box or big plastic bottles.
Dear Heloise: I work in a small office. We keep a dry-erase board on the wall. On the board, we post a description of the items we have that we no longer want or items for which we are looking. It is amazing how many times one of us has an item someone else wants or is giving away something that another person needs. It is our own recycling program. — K.M. in Georgia
Dear Heloise: I love the different flavored waters, but they can be expensive. My hint is to make them yourself. I use bottled water and add sliced fruit (strawberries, raspberries, grapes, pineapple, lemon and lime), cucumbers, etc. You can add mint leaves, too.
Place the pitcher or container in the refrigerator for at least six hours to let the “additive” infuse the water. — Linda B. in California
Dear Heloise: Do you have any hints for how to clean a mop? I can never seem to get mine clean between uses. — Pamela in Indiana
Dear Pamela: Cleaning mops between uses is important; you don’t want to clean with a dirty mop. For mops without a detachable head, fill a bucket with hot, soapy water. Dunk the mop head in the water and swish it around until the dirt and debris are loosened. Then rinse in clean water. If the mop head comes off, simply remove it and wash in the washing machine on the delicate cycle.
Dear Heloise: My husband has a bunch of golf towels. Each has a grommet in the corner with a hook so he can attach it to his golf bag. Because he has so many, I took one that matched my decor for the kitchen. I can clip it to the oven or refrigerator handle, and it is always handy when I need it. — Brenda, via email
Dear Heloise: Besides director chairs serving as extra chairs, they make an excellent luggage rack for the guest bedroom. Just take off the back strap and put down the sides. — Diane in Florida
Dear Heloise: My cellphone charger connects to my phone only one way. I’m constantly trying to plug it in, only to realize that it’s turned the wrong way. I decorated the side that should be facing up and now just look for that side. — Kinzy, via email
Submitted: Sunday June 23, 2013
