DEAR HELOISE: I noticed that my dog was constantly licking his feet; I’m not certain, but it could be due to allergies, irritation or contact with something from outdoors. It took a lot of trial and error to find relief. I tried several products for my 95-pound chocolate Lab, and then I found itch wipes online. The licking stopped almost immediately, and I’ve used them successfully for years now.

It’s a convenient and gentle paw treatment for dogs with irritated or itchy paws. You should wipe your dog’s paws after walks, especially during allergy season or after they’ve been in grass or mulch. If foot licking continues despite regular wiping, a vet visit can help rule out any underlying causes.

Keep in mind that wipes may deliver temporary relief for external irritation and help remove allergens from your pet’s paws. However, they still don’t address the underlying cause of the irritation (such as an allergic reaction). I enjoy reading you every day in the Omaha World-Herald.

• Dan Esch,

in Omaha, Nebraska

DEAR HELOISE: There are a few habits that I picked up throughout my many years of cooking — some habits that I still use today:

● My old cast-iron skillet, which always makes the perfect cornbread, never gets washed. When it’s hot, I wipe it thoroughly with paper towels. Once it cools, I pour plenty of coarse salt into the pan and scrub the pan with fresh paper towels until all the residue is gone. Then I rub a thin layer of vegetable oil over the surface to keep the seasoning intact.

● For cleaning the sink and everyday pots, I use a recycled Parmesan jar filled with baking soda as a handy shaker. I refill it with baking soda from the fridge or freezer after it’s done deodorizing so that nothing goes to waste.

● I also keep a spray bottle of white vinegar under the sink for rinsing produce, which means that I don’t need store-bought vegetable wash. Just don’t use vinegar on peaches or apricots — their delicate skin can’t handle it.

I read your column six days a week in my local newspaper, The Villages Daily Sun.

• Shirley S., in Summerfield, Florida

DEAR HELOISE: After you rinse your electric toothbrush, turn it on and hold it over the sink for about 15 seconds before putting it away. The vibration helps shake off most of the leftover water. When the bristles are drier, bacteria have less chance to grow between uses. If you leave wet bristles in a holder, they stay damp for a long time and can build up gunk. This quick step barely adds any time to your morning routine, but it really helps keep your toothbrush cleaner. Also, store your toothbrush upright in a holder to allow airflow.