Dear Heloise: In the Advocate in Louisiana, I saw two recommendations in your column that I’d like to add to:

First, wooden cutting boards have been proven to be the safest option of cutting boards. Detailed tests conducted by at least two universities show that wooden boards remain safe and bacteria-free with minimal upkeep. Just wash them in soapy water as you would any dish or pot. An occasional rubdown with common mineral oil is a cheap and easy way to keep them from drying out.

Second, boric acid powder is, indeed, a great way to get rid of many crawling critters including roaches, ants and silver fish. It isn’t necessary to mix any sugar with the powder; just sprinkle the powder where the bugs will walk in it. I live in New Orleans and have used boric acid powder for decades with great results. — Andy Gallien, via email

REQUESTING SERVICE FROM A WAITER AT A RESTAURANT

Dear Heloise: When needing something from a server at a restaurant, many diners are a bit sharp with their requests. Usually they say something like, “Can we get some more of this?” But I have discovered a technique that almost invariably prompts immediate assistance from even the busiest waiter. All you have to do is nicely say, “When you have a chance, may we please have this?”

It’s just astonishing how this phrasing, which acknowledges that the server is juggling multiple tasks, more often than not moves your table’s needs right to the front of the line. — Jim R., in Houston

DRYER LINT FOR FIRES

Dear Heloise: Recently I read a hint in your column about storing dryer lint in the freezer for a fire starter. I think my wife read a hint in your column about storing dryer lint in empty toilet paper rolls. We’ve used this method to start our fires. It’s a great way to recycle both. — Butch B., in Eureka Springs, Arkansas

FIXING A STAINED COUNTER

Dear Heloise: I wanted to write in with a response to the man who stained his counter with red wine. Years ago, we bought a home where the owner had cleverly repaired a burnt area of the kitchen counter. They had set a hot pan next to the stove. They had a repairman cut the burnt area out. This was replaced with a square of heat-tolerant material so that you could set a hot pot on it. The square had a metal border, and the appearance was actually quite nice. — Nancy, in Florida

BEDSHEET HINT

Dear Heloise: My husband and I are older and sleep in separate rooms for a variety of reasons. We have queen- and king-sized beds, and I usually change the sheets once a week. But then my husband suggested a hint: Since we each only sleep on one side of the bed, why not turn the sheets around and switch the pillowcases? Then we could just remake the bed so that we are sleeping on the clean sheets from the other side. It saves us the time of doing laundry and folding items. — Karen, in Florida

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.