Use shaving soap
HINTS FROM HELOISE
HELOISE
Dear Heloise: My wife and I enjoy reading your daily column in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. I wanted to point out something you wrote regarding what to do with leftover soap chips. You suggested collecting soap chips in a bowl so that a man can create a lather with a shaving brush. Shaving authorities warn against using hand soap to prepare a beard for shaving. They strongly encourage using shaving soap, which is made with ingredients that are conducive to moistening and protecting the skin.
Shaving with hand soap can produce skin irritations and leave the face rough and sore. Just saying! Love your column. — Kevin P.M., via email
Kevin, thanks for letting us know, though I feel certain that some of my readers will continue to use a bar of soap since it's what they've always used. But maybe many of them will switch to shaving soap, as recommended by shaving authorities! — Heloise
Phone etiquette
Dear Heloise: I'd like to sound off on the lack of phone etiquette today. Part of my day at work includes answering the phone, and the lack of basic manners is truly disturbing. Sadly, it's mostly the younger generation that needs some polishing up. When you call a business, please don't start off with: "How ya doin'"? Or "Hey there."
Sometimes they speak so fast or mumble so low that I can't even hear them. State your name slowly and enunciate, then state the reason for your call. We can assist you better if we can understand you. Hopefully, this reminder will give people some pause. — Customer Service, in Upstate New York
Soap chips tip
Dear Heloise: Nita S. asked how to use up soap chips. I slice them with a paring knife that's narrow enough to go in a spare pump bottle I have (like what hand soap comes in) and put them in there. I add a small amount of water and let it sit for a few days. I can then pump it out as liquid soap to wash my hands. If it's too thick, I just add more water and shake it. No waste! — Marian, via email
Flushable wipes
Dear Heloise: J.P.S., in Aurora, Colorado, suggested purchasing sandwich bags to place flushable wipes in and toss them in the trash. Don't waste your money on plastic sandwich bags (which should be recycled). Simply wrap the wipes in toilet paper and toss them in the trash. — Ruth C., in Salado, Texas
Weather reminder
Dear readers: Be sure that you have enough mulch around your plants and young trees to protect them from this winter's freezing temperatures. Hay or bark mulch is good, and if the mulch contains cedar, it'll smell wonderful for several weeks.
Additionally, always bring your pets inside during long winter days, especially at night. They are family members and feel the bitter cold like humans do. — Heloise
Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com.
