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DEAR HELOISE: The best way to separate coffee filters is by using a kitchen gadget called … wait for it … a coffee filter separator. Available at major retailers, online, or at your favorite grocery store, it looks like a large plastic tweezer with rubber tips. And it works every time!
-- Dan, in Charlottesville, Virginia
DEAR HELOISE: Thank you for your great column! What would you do about insect eggs that seem to hatch in a stash of paper bags?
-- Perplexed, in Dallas
Perplexed, you didn't say which insect, but you'll very likely have to toss out your stash of paper bags and anything else that contains the insect eggs. You should also find a place to store these bags where insects are less likely to find them or hide in them, such as a plastic bin with a lid.
Next, scrub the area where the plastic bags were with hot water and soap. Then spray the area with insecticide and let it dry. If the insects no longer appear there, consider returning the bags (that are hopefully now in a bin with a lid) back to their original place.
-- Heloise
DEAR HELOISE: For years, plumbers have warned us not to dispose of so-called "flushable" wipes in the toilet. Sandwich bags (not the more-expensive, food-storage bags) offer a cheap (3-6 cents each in boxes of 150), clean and easy disposal solution. After using them, simply drop the wipes into the sandwich bag, roll it into itself, use the self-closing flap (which effectively seals the bag), and drop it into the trash.
-- J.P.S.,
in Aurora, Colorado
J.P.S., instead of using plastic sandwich bags, there's also the option of brown paper bags that can be bought in bulk and tossed in the trash.
-- Heloise
DEAR HELOISE: I'm very worried about food safety in this country. With so many people being dismissed from their jobs in food inspection, I feel like I need to do more to protect my family. So, my husband and I planted a huge kitchen garden in our backyard this past summer, and we've started canning our food. You wouldn't believe how good homegrown food is when it's ripened to its peak freshness!
I bought a hydrator to preserve banana chips, strawberries, and other foods that we use as snacks. We don't use chemicals, and I feel like this is the best way to keep everyone healthy and happy. In addition to all this, the canning process is a family affair, and we've turned the work into a fun time with our children.
-- MaryAnn and Jake,
in Provo, Utah