Dear Heloise: My mother-in-law taught me a neat little trick that helped me get a fire started in my fireplace. She saved every toilet roll (the cardboard center) and all her laundry lint in a large plastic bag. Each year, when fall rolled around, we would stuff the toilet rolls with lint, packing it in nice and tight.

When she wanted a fire, she would place three wooden logs in the fireplace and about four cardboard rolls that were stuffed under the logs; then she would light them. It got a fire going with very little effort, and we recycled the paper rolls and lint.

When I started doing this same thing at my home, I’d add about three or four drops of lighter fluid to the center of the lint in the paper rolls, then continue stuffing the rolls with lint. Since I have three active boys and a husband, I have a lot of laundry and lint. — Karen V., in Holland, Michigan

Karen, this is a very clever trick to get a fire going, and I love the idea that you are recycling something that we would normally toss out. America’s landfills are overflowing with items that should have been recycled. If any of my readers have recycling hints that are fairly new, please let us know, and we’ll publish them! — Heloise

LOCK IT TO KEEP IT

Dear Heloise: Regarding the recent advice to keep your house locked, my neighbor left her keys in her car (big mistake) in an attached garage during a yard sale. Someone stole the car, and it was finally located about a month later. (It was trashed.) Always lock your car everywhere you go and lock your house during a sale. — A Reader, via email

ONION POWDER

Dear Heloise: In response to Steve, who wrote in regarding onion powder clumping: When I buy a new jar of onion powder, I always store it in the refrigerator. Whenever I use it, the powder flows freely. This works with garlic powder as well. — Robert M., via eamil

Robert, I take a small piece or two of a soda cracker and place it in the container of onion powder. This helps to absorb moisture, which causes the clumping. — Heloise

STEEL SOAP PAD HINT

Dear Heloise: Once you’ve used a soap pad, you can place it in a small glass jar with a lid under your sink. It will not rust.

P.S. I could never find a small plastic bag with a used pad in my freezer. — Joyce A., via email

DINNER’S READY!

Dear Heloise: A few family members and I went to visit my niece and nephew to see their new baby boy and his big sister. Instead of bringing a prepared meal, I brought everything to make a white chicken chili in my niece’s slow cooker. While I waited for my turn to hold the baby, I put everything together in my niece’s slow cooker and set the timer. We left after visiting for some time. But the family had a hot meal ready for them that evening. — Carol Z., via email

Carol, I like this idea. Leaving a warm dinner for the family was a very nice thing to do. A new baby takes a lot of time away from the parents’ daily routine, so having a dinner prepared for your niece was a special gift. — Heloise

ARRIVE ALIVE

Dear Readers: The roads are usually covered with snow and ice right now, so slow down when you drive to arrive alive! Those who care about you would rather you arrive late than injured. — 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.