Dish drainer trays, floor tiles help under sinks

We wanted to protect the insides of the cabinets so they didn’t get messy like the old ones. We came up with the idea of using plastic dish-drainer trays, placed side by side in the cabinets to protect the floor. The trays are easy to remove, and best of all, they will catch spills. — Bill, Conway, Ark.

BILL: Thanks for sharing this hint. Another idea to keep cabinets in tiptop shape is to line them with leftover floor tiles. — Heloise

Fast facts

DEAR READERS: Don’t throw out socks without mates:

* Cut a tube off and use as a wristband while painting.

* Use to clean baseboards and blinds.

* Wear one when removing ice from the vehicle.

* Use as a wash mitt for an auto.

* Put several inside each other, then tie the end for a soft pet toy.

— Heloise

Saving money

DEAR HELOISE: We often buy ground meat in large packages, especially when it’s on sale. My husband divides these packages into smaller quantities. He uses freezer bags and presses each bag flat. This not only gets the air out, but the bags take up less room in the freezer and thaw much faster when needed. — Ann Russ, Houston

Oil stains in garage

DEAR HELOISE: How do I get oil out of a concrete garage floor? — Tom, via e-mail

TOM: Oil spots need to be taken care of ASAP. Sprinkle cheap clay-type cat litter or sand over the stain, crush a little or press down, then let it sit overnight. Sweep it up and dispose of it, and repeat if necessary. If the stain still remains, you can try liquid or powdered laundry detergent, scrubbed in with a sturdy brush. Still left with a stain? Look for a commercial cleaner either at an automotive or home-improvement store. — Heloise

Message on the boxes

DEAR HELOISE: I read a hint about moving boxes in the (Mansfield, Ohio) News Journal, and it seemed having a master list of what was in the boxes was cumbersome.

We recently moved and I found that the best way was to write on the box a detailed list of what was in it. We had sheets of paper that peel off and stick to the box. We needed items before we had time to completely unpack; we could just look at the boxes.

We also set boxes in rows, three or four high, so we could walk between them and only had to move two or three boxes if we saw something in the bottom box that we needed. I thought these hints might be helpful to someone else. — Helen Bailey, Mansfield, Ohio

HELEN: Moving can be stressful, and your hints certainly will help relieve some of that stress. Make a copy of each list as a backup in case a box goes missing. — Heloise

Three good hints

DEAR HELOISE: I would like to send you a few hints:

* A neat trick to turn pages: Use a sticky-note sheet to turn pages instead of licking your finger to turn them. I saw my attorney do this, and it really works.

* When I shake out my duster, I do it on the rosemary plants outdoors. The duster is clean, freshly scented and is ready to go again. When I water the rosemary plant, I wash off the dust from the duster.

* I got tired of turning over my slippers to see which is the left and the right, so I put a dot of nail polish in the center of the little bow on the right slipper. — Margo Leitner Parks, La Mesa, Calif.

Hair removal

DEAR HELOISE: I would like to know if there is anything I can put on truck seats to keep dog hair from adhering. If not, what can I use to remove it? — Bobbie, via e-mail

BOBBIE: I don’t know of anything that would keep the hair from sticking to the seats. To make cleanup easier, put a seat cover, old sheets or towels on the seat to catch the loose fur. A microfiber cloth, duct tape, damp sponge or a rubber glove will also help remove fur from the seats. — Heloise

Hints from Heloise is syndicated by King Features Syndicate. Send great hints to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; by fax, 210-HELOISE (435-6473); or by e-mail, Heloise@Heloise.com.