Make the most of the food you buy

Dear Heloise: When I buy a rotisserie chicken, I eat one leg and thigh while it is nice, warm and tasty. Then I put the bag of chicken in the fridge. I later take the breast meat off for chicken salad to eat alone or as a sandwich, and I always put a 1/2 teaspoon of curry powder in the chicken salad. I use the remaining leg and thigh meat to make a chicken noodle casserole and boil up everything else into a delicious soup. — Fran, via email

Fran, during the depression, our grandmothers often made the most of everything they had. As they said then, “waste not, want not.” I like the way you make every bit of the chicken useful. — Heloise

POD PROBLEM?

Dear Heloise: For the past few months, I’ve been getting white marks on some of my dark clothes when I wash them. I’ve changed the detergent, reduced the amount of detergent, and cleaned the machine by hand with commercial tub cleaner. What else could be causing this? — Candace W., via email

Candace, are you using pods? The only time I have heard of this is when someone uses pods. You might want to consider liquid soap. Also, there is a possibility that the section where you add bleach is leaking.

Do any of my readers know of or have had this problem, and if so, what did you do to stop it? — Heloise

REMEMBERING GIFT CARDS

Dear Heloise: Throughout my long life, many times I’ve visited a store or a restaurant intending to use a gift card but end up forgetting and paying with a credit card. Recently, I discovered that if you place the gift card in front of your credit card in your wallet, it’s virtually impossible to forget to use it.

I’m sure I’m not the first person to realize this, but I’ve mentioned this minor discovery to several people — not one was aware. Could you inform your readers of my fabulous idea? — Colin P., in California

LINT ROLLER ON CARPET

Dear Heloise: My husband and I are both empty nesters and retired. We’ve lived in our house for 31 years and have always enjoyed throwing parties for family and friends. A couple of months ago, several people reached out and said that they were in the neighborhood and wanted to visit.

Since we live alone, our house is 95% clean except for little pieces of lint and other small items that are on the carpet. Not wanting to pull out the vacuum cleaner before my guests arrived, I broke out my lint roller, and before I knew it, the carpet looked like I had vacuumed! Issue solved! — Cheri R., in Rolling Hills Estates, California

STIFF TOWEL SOLUTION

Dear Heloise: In response to your reader whose towels are stiff, she should try washing them in warm or cold water and rinsing them well. Then she should dry them on low. It might take a bit longer, but it should help. I have towels that are many years old, and they’re still soft. — Kathy B., in New Orleans

BED WEDGES

Dear Heloise: I wanted to share a safety tip that has made a big difference in our home. Recently, my elderly husband fell out of bed during the night and fractured three ribs, along with injuring his elbow. It was a frightening experience for both of us.

While we were in the emergency room, a nurse mentioned that she used bed wedges to keep her children from rolling out of bed and suggested that we try the same idea for my husband. We followed her advice and placed the wedges along the sides of the bed.

The results have been wonderful! The wedges help prevent him from rolling out of bed, especially when he has vivid dreams or restless nights. He now sleeps more securely, and I have a much greater peace of mind knowing that he is safer. Sometimes the simplest ideas can make a big difference! — Judy V. Miller, in Winchester, Virginia