Arkansas Online

HELPFUL HINTS

Heloise@Heloise.com

DEAR READERS: Like most of us, you probably have a favorite detergent that you know will get your clothes clean, but you also want to OPINION make sure that your washing machine is doing the best job it can. A lot of this depends on the water temperature. HELOISE So let me explain water basics further:

Hot water removes dirt from really soiled clothing and kills more germs than cold water. But be aware that it also can fade the dyes in colored clothes and can also cause wrinkling.

Warm water gets lightly soiled clothes clean and is safe for most colored clothing. Cold water needs a cold-water detergent to get clothing really clean. You also can dissolve detergent powder in hot water before adding it to the wash water.

Whatever the temperature you choose, good cleaning also needs enough water in the tub for the clothes to move around and for the detergent to circulate, so it can loosen and carry away dirt and debris.

DEAR HELOISE: I have a question. When a grocery item has printed on it “Sell by …” and a date, how long after that date is it considered safe to use?

— Jennie, Lebanon, Ohio DEAR READER: It’s important to check the “Sell By” and “Use By” dates on the food you buy to know that they are fresh and safe to buy. To help you, stores provide product-dating labels. Here are the common labels and what they mean. “Sell By” or “Pull Date” means the last day an item should be sold. After this date, it should be removed from the grocery shelf. “Expiration Date” is the last day that the item should be sold or eaten. “Freshness Date” indicates how long freshness is guaranteed.

DEAR READERS: If you have gotten a new pet or moved to a new city and you need to find a vet, here’s what the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals suggests. First, ask friends, family or neighbors for a recommendation.

Then you can check out the local clinic by making an appointment, without your pet. You can see what the vet clinic looks like, how current the equipment is and how clean it is. And find out if they have boarding and emergency hours. Chat with the staff. How friendly and professional are they? That way, you can decide if this is the place you want to take your pet.

Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email

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2021-09-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://edition.arkansasonline.com/article/283480734310104

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