Dear Heloise: I read L.C.’s letter about recycling mascara wands to clean hummingbird feeders. I wanted to share what I use if I need tiny applicators. I get 400 of them at a very small cost. They’re dental microbrush applicators that are 2.5 millimeters wide, so they would work well for this use and are disposable. They come in different sizes if need be. — Priscilla W., via email

A CLEAN COOK

Dear Heloise: After ruining too many cookbook pages with spills and splashes, I finally found a simple solution while making a messy chocolate pound cake from a beautiful, new autographed cookbook. I’ve always used clear top-loading sheet protectors to store recipes from magazines, newspapers and friends in a binder. Now I place one or two sheet protectors over the open pages of my cookbook while it sits on the cookbook stand.

The bottom rim of the holder keeps them in place. If needed, a paper clip can secure the protector directly to the page. I also keep a sheet protector tucked inside the cookbooks that I use most often, so one is always handy. This works great for online recipes; just prop a clip or a protector over the front of your laptop or tablet screen to guard against splatters! — Jami R., via email

MODERN LANGUAGE

Dear Heloise: Regarding the letter about using correct English, what about changes that have become acceptable to everyone except us older folk? My pet peeve is the use of “less” in place of “fewer.” For example, “we need less apples” rather than “we need fewer apples.” My grandkids don’t see or know the difference. — John S., in Newbury Park, California

John, my pet peeve with modern English is the way that so many people use the word “like” as a filler word. Is silence so terrible that we have to say “like” five times in one sentence? When did sounding educated become something to avoid? — Heloise

SHOWER MOLD

Dear Heloise: Can you provide information about the removal of mold growth on shower caulk and extra hints on the prevention of future mold growth there? Thank you. — A Frequent Reader, via email

Frequent Reader, use hydrogen peroxide and spray this directly on the mold. Wait 20 minutes to 1 hour and scrub with a brush. You can also use a 1/3 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water and spray this on the mold.

These methods work well, but to try and prevent mold regrowth, first remove any old caulk. Use better ventilation and a dry towel to wipe down areas that grow mold. In addition, you have the option of using a commercial mold killer, which is usually found in hardware stores or some grocery stores. — Heloise

AN OFFICIAL PET PAL

Dear Heloise: Here’s our little general, Bentley Bell, who waits for my son, Daniel, to return home from basic training and officer candidate school. Bentley won’t have any problems barking orders once he returns. Thank you for considering his photo! — Donna Bell, in Houston

Readers, to see Bentley 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