Replacing the pumps of bottles

Dear Heloise: When a container stops pumping, I remove the pump and replace it with a screw cap from another salvaged bottle. Then I store it upside down. For shampoo, I add a little water and use it up until it’s gone. Everything gets used until the last drop. — Dean Garrett, in Arizona

PEELING GARLIC

Dear Heloise: The easiest way to peel garlic cloves is also the simplest: Just put them in a bowl of water. In 5 minutes or less, both the outer and inner skins will lift away often in just two or three pieces, leaving an intact, fresh clove. There’s no bruising, breaking, microwaved edges, or shards of skin to pick out.

A bonus: When dried off, the whole cloves will stay fresh for up to a week in a jar in the fridge. Any jar with a seal-type top works. I reuse pickle jars and other similar jars. — A Reader, via email

HOLIDAY

PILLOWS

Dear Heloise: To save on pillows for different holidays, I buy different holiday covers for the same pillow form. It also saves on storage space. — Sandra K., via email

DISHWASHER POD PROBLEM

Dear Heloise: I read the letter about dishwasher pods in a recent issue of the Republican Herald. I, too, had an issue with dishwasher pods. I tried them in my portable dishwasher and found that the empty plastic pod stayed in the bottom of my dishwasher. It was molded to the drain. My hot water gets extremely hot, so I thought that they would melt and dissolve.

I never used them again and went back to powdered dishwasher detergent, and I haven’t had any problems since. — Michele, via email

DIETING HINTS

Dear Heloise: My doctor gave me some hints for losing weight that helped me drop two dress sizes:

— Eat slowly, chew your food thoroughly, and put your fork down between each bite.

— Eat three small meals a day without any snacking in between.

— Ask yourself if you’re really hungry or if you are eating out of social habits. So many of our holidays revolve around food, and we often eat when we aren’t hungry.

— Stay busy and keep your mind off food. Stay out of the kitchen. — A Reader, via email