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Dear Heloise: I recently found out something that I think should be shared with your readers. You printed a letter from a person who had a hint about allowing your electric toothbrush head to spin around for a few seconds after you rinse it so that it’d dry out faster. When I tried it, I noticed that the head I had on my toothbrush didn’t spin around.
Turns out, it was a cheap knock-off brand, and little did I know, some of these just vibrate for effect and don’t rotate or do a very good job of cleaning your teeth! So, I went back to the original, name-brand electric toothbrush heads. Sometimes it doesn’t pay to cut corners! — N.K., in California
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Heloise@Heloise.com
SPONGE EROSION
Dear Heloise: This is in response to the reader who wrote that she cleans her kitchen sponges by putting them on the top rack of the dishwasher when she runs a load of dishes. I, too, used to do the same until one day, the dishwasher wouldn’t drain. After a costly repair bill, the plumber showed me that the drain was clogged with eroded bits of sponge, as well as small fibers that comprised the scrubbing side of the sponges.
I now put sponges into a medium-size, fine-mesh laundry bag, and after a few times of running the dishwasher, I unscrew the drain to check for any sponge particles. To date, there haven’t been any problems, and the sponges stay intact. — Lori H., in California
YELLOW DOT STOVE TRICK
Dear Heloise: I’ve found that with many burner dials, it’s difficult to easily see whether the burners are in the on or off position. So, I take a small fine-point paint pen that is usually bright yellow, and I paint a small dot at the top of the dial when it’s in the off position. My wife and I can easily glance at the stove and quickly determine that all of the burners and ovennozzles are in the off position. It has saved us a number of times from either leaving an unused burner on or burning a pot that was left on the stove. — Jerry, via email
BATHING VERSUS SHOWERING
Dear Heloise: I find that our modern society seems to shun baths and opt for showers. Not only does a warm bath help with aches and pains, especially with soaking solutions for this purpose, but baths are very relaxing. People are in such hurried states these days that they jump in a shower and hurry off to their day.
If they’d set aside even one day a week to relax in a warm/hot bathtub (maybe with bubbles?), I think they’d have less aching and a more relaxed attitude that would benefit them greatly. Yes, it may entail using more water, but what price can one put on a calm, relaxed body and mood? Slow down occasionally, folks, and give it a try! — Frank A., in Ventura, California
Frank, I think it’s just a matter of personal preference. For me, a bath means sitting in water with daily perspiration, body oils, dirt, and dead skin cells. I find a shower to be very relaxing at night and invigorating in the morning, but that’s just me. Readers, how do you feel about showering versus bathing? Let us know at Heloise@Heloise.com. — Heloise