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Dear Heloise: I use baking soda to absorb odors in my refrigerator. I replace the box about every four months, but instead of tossing out a perfectly good box, I use the remaining contents to scrub plastic toys that my young son chews on. He's cutting teeth right now. It doesn't kill bacteria, but it does a great job of removing dirt, dust and saliva from his toys. I have to scrub his toys nearly every day.
The leftover baking soda also does a great job on my pots and pans, in the laundry on my husband's work clothes, and on washable rugs. What a great product! It has so many uses and costs so little. And thank you for all the helpful hints in your column. -- Juliana T., in Albuquerque, New Mexico
A KNOCKED-OUT TOOTH
Dear Heloise: For years, my mother read the "Hints From Heloise" column and enjoyed the many hints she found that made her life a little easier. Now I'm writing to ask a question. My son plays on a junior football team. One of the boys accidently got a tooth knocked out while they were playing a game. If my son, who is only 12, gets a tooth knocked out, is there any way to save the tooth and have the dentist reinstall it? -- Kimberly H., in St. Paul, Minnesota
Kimberly, if it's a permanent tooth, drop the tooth in a glass of milk and rush your son and his tooth to a dentist. There are many variables to reinstalling a tooth, but only your dentist would know after examining the tooth and the spot where it came from. Remember, you need to get to a dentist immediately. -- Heloise
HERB GARDEN IN KITCHEN
Dear Heloise: I honestly believe that fresh herbs make a big difference in how food tastes. In the summer months, I grow herbs in my garden, but all year-round, I also grow herbs in my kitchen. I'm lucky enough to have a husband who made a frame that holds 18 special pots, where I can grow my herbs in a sunny spot right in my kitchen. There's nothing like a stew or a homemade soup that is made with fresh herbs.
I may have a special herb rack, but anyone can grow herbs in their kitchen on a windowsill, or in a pretty pot of any kind in any room of their house. Try it, and you'll never buy another dried-up herb again! -- Emma V., in Springfield, Missouri
Emma, I love to grow my own herbs. I think it's a healthy, natural way to cook. My kitchen always smells of rosemary and lavender. -- Heloise
STORING GINGER
Dear Heloise: I love to use ginger in many of my recipes, but unfortunately, it dries out quickly. Since ginger is expensive, can you give me a hint on how to keep my ginger from drying out to just a shriveled lump? -- Lee F., in California
Lee, wrap a paper towel around the ginger, making certain that any cut edges are covered to wick away moisture. Next, store the ginger in a plastic sheet of cling wrap and store the whole thing in a plastic bag. Keep this in the crisper compartment of your refrigerator. This should keep the ginger fresh for at least one to two months. You can also freeze ginger, which should last you a whole year. -- 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.