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DEAR HELOISE: Any ideas on how to turn leftover soap chips into a new usable bar? I hate to just throw them away if there's a way to reuse them. I love your column in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch!
-- Nita S., via email
Nita, here are some ideas:
-- Using old but clean panty hose, place a handful of soap chips in the foot area, then tie it off and trim off the excess panty hose. Instead of using a wash cloth, you can use your new scrubber to wash yourself. Let it dry completely between uses.
-- Gather all the soap chips in a pan and add just enough water to make a thick mixture. Turn the burner to medium. Stir well until it gets hard and remove from the stove. When the mixture starts to cool and is safe to handle (but still warm to the touch), roll the mixture in your hands to form a ball, or press it into pastry molds. Let it dry completely.
-- Take all the soap chips and place them in a small glass or ceramic bowl. If your husband shaves with a razor, he can wet his brush and lather the soap up by swirling his shaving brush over the chips, which will start to form one soap bar. Nothing's wasted with this method.
-- Heloise
DEAR HELOISE: To open the childproof packages of hearing-aid batteries, I've found that what works best for me and protects my hands is to use kitchen shears that are strong enough to cut up a chicken. I simply cut completely around the plastic sleeve that contains the batteries, then remove them and transfer them to another container. Be sure to cut really close to the batteries to expose them.
DEAR HELOISE: Love your column! This week, someone asked about the wrestling match with childproof packaging. I use a seam ripper from my sewing basket. Thanks for all your hints. I learn something new every week!
-- Nancy E., via email
Nancy, thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing this clever tip! A seam ripper is such a practical solution for these tricky packages. I'm sure other readers will find this very helpful.
-- Heloise
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.