Dear Heloise: Yellowed shirts that still fit and can be worn don’t belong in the trash. They make perfect tie-dye candidates! Wash and line-dry the shirts first to remove buildup, then hand them over to your kids or grandkids for an afternoon project.

Tie-dye kits are inexpensive and widely available, and the bold colors completely cover the yellowing. The results look intentional, bright, wearable and genuinely fun. Our group produced shirts in various sizes, which made donating them to a local clothing shelter an even better outcome.

Every shirt went to someone who could use it, and nothing looked like a cast-off. The project kept a group of kids busy and creative for hours, didn’t cost much, and produced something worthwhile. If a pile of faded tops has been sitting in your closet waiting for a decision, this is a satisfying one. — Elaine, in North Carolina

WASHING MACHINE RESIDUE

Dear Heloise: If you pull your towels out of the dryer, and they still smell musty, the washing machine is probably the culprit. Over time, detergent and fabric softener residue can build up inside, leading to odors or mildew.

According to Tom’s Guide, we should avoid using large amounts of vinegar during monthly deep cleanings, as it can damage the machine’s parts. Instead, use a small amount of vinegar in the rinse cycle for freshness and follow your manufacturer’s maintenance instructions. Then run another hot cycle with a 1/2 cup of baking soda. Leave the lid open to let the machine dry completely.

Also, and this one surprises people, stop using so much detergent. More soap doesn’t mean cleaner clothes; it just leaves more residue. Use less detergent than the bottle says — half is usually plenty. More soap just means more residue, and residue is half your problem right there.

Leave the fabric softener off your towels entirely. It makes them feel nice and fresh when coming out of the dryer, but it ruins their absorbency little by little until, one day, you realize that your bath towel is basically useless. — Linda P., in Akron, Ohio

FRESH CELERY FOR WEEKS

Dear Heloise: A friend of mine gave me this tip, which she’s used for years. To keep celery fresh for weeks, carefully wrap it in foil. (Don’t wash it.) I place it back in the original plastic bag to protect the foil from tearing in the veggie drawer.

My other tip is to wrap parsley (again, don’t wash it) in a paper towel and place it in a plastic zipclose bag. It’s lasted for at least two weeks this way. Other herbs like thyme work as well. How do I keep basil fresh? I’ve tried placing it in a glass of water on the counter and covering it with a plastic bag, which works for a few days. I hope these tips are helpful! — Edie, in Connecticut

PET PAL

Dear Heloise: This is Laverne and Shirley soaking up the sun and love together. We rescued these beautiful cats seven years ago and couldn’t imagine our lives without them. — Eric Labreche, via email

Readers, to see Laverne and Shirley, as well as 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.