Dear Heloise: I am responding to a suggestion in the paper (The Villages Daily Sun) about wiping the TEAR STAINS FROM A DOG’S EYES. I have a better suggestion.

I learned this from a friend who has a small white dog. As do many white dogs, hers had tear stains much of the time. My friend started giving her dog only distilled water, and none from the tap. After about a week, the tear stains nearly stopped.

I am a dog sitter, and I tried her hint on the next white dog I sat for. It worked! Not only did the staining improve, but so did his beard. It had previously been a little yellow. It went back to a bright, clean white.

I told his “parents” about it, and they have been giving him only distilled water ever since. They thank me for the hint every time I see them, because it works. — Shelley P., The Villages, Fla.

CONTAINER SAVER

Dear Heloise: I am a woodworker, and I reuse plastic containers in my workshop. I buy fasteners such as screws in 1-pound boxes. I use lunchmeat containers to store them, and I tape the cardboard box tops to the plastic lids.

These containers are also good for storing leftover paint for touch-ups. In this case, I put a piece of foil over the tub and put the lid on. The paint lasts a lot longer than leaving it in 1-gallon cans. A dab of paint on the lid identifies the paint color.

I write the mix number from the paint store and the date purchased on the lid for future reference. — Noel P., Stafford, Va.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Send your great money-saving or timesaving hint to to Heloise at P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, Fax to 1-210-HELOISE, or email to Heloise@Heloise.com. She can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in her column.