Good advice

Zip-close bags from deli can be reused

Dear Heloise: Most grocery store delis put lunch meat and sliced cheese in zip-close bags. These can be reused to put your sandwich in, and you can also use your empty bread bag to put your sandwich in, as long as you hang on to the twist tie (or tie the bag into a knot as my wife reminded me). This hint comes from a guy who brought a lunch box to work for many years until my retirement this past May. -- Klint O., in Pevely, Missouri

Klint, what a useful and clever idea! Thank you for sharing. -- Heloise

A sewing tip

Dear Heloise: I have a sewing tip that helped me this morning. The project was new to me and looked tricky, so instead of using the real fabric, I first tried it with scrap fabric. Voila, it came out great! I'm so glad that I practiced. This way, I didn't ruin the actual project. -- Corrinne B., in Universal City, Texas

Hidden mold

Dear Heloise: After reading the letter in the Vindicator from Margot D. about her washing machine, I had to write about my experience. I also kept my front-loader door open when it's not in use, as well as the soap dispenser open. However, the other day, I noticed that the dispenser was dirty and even had a little black mold. So, I removed the dispenser and was shocked to see that the entire compartment was covered in black mold!

I used a commercial spray with a paint brush to scrub off the gunk and even had to use a toothbrush to get in between the cracks. Then I ran the "clean" cycle. It looks OK now, but I will definitely check it more frequently from now on! -- Cheryl G., in Youngstown, Ohio

Cloth bags

Dear Heloise: Yes, people are bringing cloth bags into stores, but a lot of them are dirty. My granddaughter is a checker for a large grocery chain, and she says that it's really bad when she has to touch these gross bags. They have no choice but to use lots of sanitizer later. I think these bags should be banned as well. -- Karen N., via mail

Karen, it wouldn't hurt to toss a few of these bags in the laundry and get them clean. Many of them are made from heavy plastic, which could be wiped down with sanitizer. This was suggested a while back, and we got several letters from people who claim that they already have enough to do without adding one more chore.

Well, readers, what are your thoughts on this? We'd love to hear from you here at Heloise Central. -- Heloise

More funeral flowers

Dear Heloise: As the daughter of a funeral director, I'd like to add that many people who would appreciate the sentiment of flowers at a funeral do realize that they're an expensive, short-term expression of sympathy. They realize that the money would be better spent helping those in need in ways that honor the deceased individual's wishes. -- Marilyn O., via email

Marilyn, the flowers are for the living, not the dead. Some people just want the deceased to have a nice show of love and care. But for some, sadly, it's a way to say, "I'm sorry I didn't call more often or come by to see you more."

Readers, if there's someone you've been meaning to call or contact, do it ASAP. I've seen too many letters filled with this kind of regret. -- Heloise

Send a great hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. Copyright 2026 by King Features Syndicate Inc.