Dear Heloise: Need more storage space in the garage or closet? Try using the empty ice chest that is just waiting for the next party or an empty suitcase that is just waiting for the next road trip. — B.T.A., in Lakewood, California

BAKING SODA ON TEETH

Dear Heloise: Some people are misinformed about the abrasiveness of baking soda when used for brushing your teeth. Baking soda is less abrasive than most toothpastes and is also a good acid neutralizer. It can be used daily. — Mary B., in Michigan

WHEN TO TOSS OUT A TOOTHBRUSH

Dear Heloise: As a dental hygienist, I always suggest getting a new toothbrush every three months. But an even more important way to determine when to toss a brush is when it begins to fan out. Once a toothbrush starts to fan out from its original shape, it’s no longer doing the job it was intended to do! — Amy W., in Ohio

RECYCLING NEWSPAPERS

Dear Heloise: I live in San Antonio, near a veterinary clinic. After I read my newspaper, I accumulate a pile of these newspapers and take them to the veterinary clinic.

Heloise, thank you for your hints, which I read in the San Antonio Express-News. — K.T., via email

LOST RINGS

Dear Heloise: I have a habit of removing my rings when I wash my hands in a public place. To keep from losing them, I do one of two things: I either put them in my pocket or thread them on the stem of my glasses.

I learned this the hard way when I forgot to put my rings back on after I had left a restaurant! Sadly, they were gone, and no one turned them in to the management. — Beverly T., Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

POLICE ARE HERE TO HELP

Dear Heloise: Recently I saw a mother grab her very young son and threaten him with calling the police and sending him to jail. The boy couldn’t have been any older than 6 or 7. This may be a short-term way to get him to behave, but he needs to learn that the police are there to help him and keep him safe instead of making him terrified of a police officer. — Barbara L., in Boise, Idaho

Barbara, you’re correct. Children should never be threatened with jail as a form of punishment for misbehaving or taught to be afraid to ask for help from the police. — Heloise

TOO MANY EGGS

Dear Heloise: We use a lot of eggs in my home, so the only way I can tell the fresh ones from the older eggs is to buy brown eggs one week and white the next week. It works well for me. — Patricia B., Tiverton, Rhode Island

PET PAL

Dear Heloise: My husband set this up while I was cleaning and sorting, but someone claimed it for her own. — Bobbi Pointer, via email

Readers, to see Bobbi’s cat and our other Pet Pals, go to Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.”

Do you have a furry friend to share with our readers? Send a photo and a brief description to Heloise@Heloise.com. — 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.