Dispose of meat correctly

DEAR HELOISE:: As the chief cook and bottle washer in my home, I have developed some techniques that I wanted to share with your readers:

• Food waste that can't be put in the disposal, such as bones, should be put in the small plastic meat bags that you get at grocery stores. Tie a knot in the top to minimize odors from the trash can.

• Put a plastic tie bag in the trash can. When you take it outside, be sure to pull the cords tight, double the top down, and tie it to the main bag, with the plastic cords tied three times tightly to starve ants and flies.

• Don't send fats or butter down the disposal where they can stick to the pipes and clog them. Instead, wipe up fats with a paper towel and put it in the small plastic meat bag.

• My final hint is to put some bleach on your toothbrush once a month to give it a good cleaning and whiten it up.

-- J.P.J., in California

Toilet paper roll holder

DEAR HELOISE: In my robe pocket, I like to keep an empty toilet paper roll. I put my reading glasses in it to protect them from whatever else I put in that pocket.

I love all of the ideas people send you! I use many of them.

-- J., in Colorado

Replacement lights

DEAR HELOISE: One of my frustrations during the holidays is finding replacement bulbs for strings of lights, because they are mostly unavailable. Now when I buy strings of lights, I buy an extra string of the exact same kind so that I have plenty of bulbs to replace the ones that inevitably burn out. Joy to the world!

-- L.G., via email

Avoiding falls on stairs

DEAR HELOISE: I have diabetes, so I guard my feet from damage by always wearing footwear. Often I will slip when wearing slippers in the house. To further guard from tripping or falling, I remove the slippers when I go up or down the stairs so that I don't trip or slip out of the slippers on the stairwell. I can move safely on the stairs and put the slippers back on afterward. I am also careful to use the handrail.

-- J.M., in Michigan

Squirrel-proofing

DEAR HELOISE: We have had problems with squirrels eating the pumpkins and gourds in our outdoor decorations; they are very partial to orange pumpkins. But no more!

I bought a cheap bottle of hot sauce and painted it on all of the little rodents' autumn treats. You do have to repeat the process after it rains, but they leave our display alone for us and the neighbors to enjoy.

-- P.H., in Ohio

Clean fireplace bricks

DEAR READERS: You can clean the brick around fireplaces with full-strength white vinegar. This is done best by scrubbing the stained areas with a small vegetable brush dipped in vinegar. Wipe up any spills right away!

-- Heloise