DEAR HELOISE: Regarding the widower who doesn’t like walking around the bed to center the top sheet, here’s a simple solution that saves time and steps: Get a permanent marker in a color that is similar to your bedding. Make two small guide marks — one at the top edge (which is covered when the sheet folds) and another halfway down the side. Use these marks to quickly line up the sheet, avoiding trips around the bed.

If you live alone, a couple of small inchlong marks on the mattress edge shouldn’t bother anyone. They’ll be hidden once the bed is made, and it makes the process much smoother. Hope this hint helps!

• Karen S.,

in Deshler, Ohio

DEAR HELOISE: Love your column here in California! You recently asked for ideas on repurposing everyday household items, and I’d like to share one that has made my kitchen much more organized: I repurposed a three-tiered, hanging vegetable strainer to organize attachments for my Instant Pot, stand mixer and food processor. Each tier holds a different category, making every item visible and easy to grab.

Each tier also holds separate parts: beaters and dough hooks in one, pressure-cooker accessories in another, and processor blades and discs in the third. With everything visible and easy to grab, there’s no more rummaging for the right attachment!

This simple change keeps my countertops clutter-free and makes cooking and baking much more convenient. It’s a great example of how repurposing an item that you already own can save both space and frustration.

• Carole Rowland,

in California

DEAR HELOISE: After chopping onions or mincing garlic, a stubborn smell can cling to your wooden cutting board long after you’ve washed it. Try cleaning the cutting board with warm, soapy water. Then sprinkle coarse salt on it and rub it with half a fresh lemon, squeezing gently. The salt lifts residue and light stains, while the lemon neutralizes odors.

For tougher smells, let the mixture sit for five minutes before rinsing and drying. This deodorizes and refreshes the wood without harsh chemicals. Once the board is completely dry, use a clean cloth to rub a small amount of food-grade mineral oil onto the wood. This step helps prevent cracking and keeps the board looking its best.

Sometimes the simplest solutions work beautifully –just lemon and salt!

• Anne Lawson, in Elizabethtown, Kentucky

WATERING ORCHIDS

Dear Heloise: Don’t water orchids with ice cubes — orchids are tropical, and cold shocks their roots. Water collecting at the bottom can cause rot. Orchids need dry roots between waterings. To water an orchid, do this: Once a week, remove it from its cachepot, place it in the sink, and soak it thoroughly in room-temperature water. Let it drain fully, then return it to its container.

Orchids prefer a good soak, followed by proper drainage — not constant moisture. Trust me, I’ve successfully grown beautiful orchids for years using this method! I loved your mother’s column, Heloise, and read yours faithfully, too! — Margi, in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.

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