Dear Heloise: I’ve been reading you and your mother’s hints for years in the Houston Chronicle. As a senior citizen, a permanent marker is my best friend. I always start to make my bed from the same corner, so I started putting an X or a mark on the fitted sheet in that corner. This way, I’m able to find the starting corner quickly.

Also, if a date on food packages is too small or hard to find, I write it on the package. I mark the date of purchase on makeup, too, especially mascara. And I mark the tip of spray bottles so I know if it’s on or off at a glance. — Barb, Humble, Texas

RECYCLING SHREDDED PAPER

Dear Heloise: In response to a letter in a recent column about recycling centers not wanting shredded paper, I wanted to let your readers know that if their area has lawn recycling, the shredded paper can probably be put in the brown sacks used for lawn trash.

I’d suggest they ask their waste management company what to do with shredded paper to make sure that this is acceptable in their area. I always empty my shredder into a bag with lawn trash to be picked up at the curb, so I wanted to let others know about this possibility.

The one thing I read for sure every day in the Houston Chronicle is your column, and I thank you and your readers for many helpful suggestions! — Joan, The Woodlands, Texas

REMOVING STICKY LABELS

Dear Heloise: Here’s a hint on how to remove sticky labels: Use WD-40, followed with rubbing alcohol, to remove the smell and slipperiness of the lubricant. On vertical surfaces, hold a rag under the area (like with bumper stickers) and coat the area with WD-40. Rub it in with the excess liquid on the rag. You may have to let it soak for a bit, then spray some on the rag and rub the area until it is all off. You may have to repeat this process for the worst cases.

You can also use a scraper on glass and other surfaces if you’re careful. This works great on glass jars that you want to reuse for other purposes. It also works on scuff marks, but be sure to use alcohol so that the floor doesn’t have any slippery spots. — Falcon Frank, Ventura, California

GASOLINE SAVINGS

Dear Heloise: In these times of high inflation, you should know how to save on your gasoline bill! Gas stations are on a monthly cycle of receiving new gasoline shipments on the same day. If they have not sold all the gasoline in their storage tanks in time for the new shipment, they must “dump” or draw down the excess to be able to take a full shipment and get the wholesale volume rate.

So, do a little market research and study your local stations’ cycle to time your fill-ups. You will get the lower rate and help them empty their tanks at the same time! Depending whether you need gas once a week or twice a month, find two stations that are selling at a lower rate during two different times of the month to maximize your savings! — Dale, Dayton, Ohio

THE HALL CLOSET

Dear Heloise: Every year, we get a ton of snow, and this means that everyone in the family tracks in snow. In the summer, it’s water from a swimming pool in our subdivision, and all the wet items find their way into our large hall closet. The floor in there was water-stained and became a real mess after snowy boots rested in there for a few days.

While I was in a local hardware store, I saw some self-sticking tiles that are easy to apply and wipe up nicely when there’s a melting puddle in there. I bought them and put the tiles on the floor in the hall closet. I wish I had thought about this years ago. — L.D., in Montana