Dear Heloise: Anyone with dogs (or cats for that matter) that shed will appreciate what I just discovered. Fur gets caught on the fabric of sofas, clothes and, in my case, the backseat of my car. While trying to remove it with a standard sticky roller, I got frustrated by the lousy job it did.

I decided to tear off a sheet instead and press it completely over a section of the embedded hair. When I pulled it off, the whole section was cleared of hair. The sheet was still sticky enough to pick up any strays. It may take a few sheets depending on the size of the job, but it really works wonders!

I love reading you in the Mooresville Tribune! — Cathy J., in Tennessee

Cathy, it’s no secret that I love animals and always have pets, but pet hair can be a real chore to clean up.  In a pinch, you can also use a damp (not dripping wet) sponge and go around the piece of furniture in a circular motion, which will collect the hairs in a small clump. — Heloise

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VEGGIE PEEL BROTH

Dear Heloise: My son does Resourceful Mom one better. Leftovers get eaten, but a special plastic bag in the freezer collects veggie peels and salad scrapings until he’s ready to make a broth. They get simmered for at least an hour, then strained until nothing’s left but a rich veggie broth. He then uses it as the base for a soup, to cook quinoa, or just to drink on its own.

Thanks for all your hints and for those from your readers. I remember your mom well! — Sue G., Washington County, Arkansas

CLOTH BAGS

Dear Heloise: I see so many women using plastic bags from a store, then just tossing those plastic bags in the trash. Instead, use cloth bags of your own. We live on one planet. Let’s clean it up and take better care of it for the future generations. Using less plastic and cleaning up our trash is a start toward a better future for all of us. — Linnie M., in Honolulu, Hawaii

Linnie, thank you for your letter. You’re right. We really must think of ways to improve our uses of everyday products and ask ourselves how we can help this planet. It will be many years before we can colonize Mars, if we ever do. So, helping this place we call home is our best solution for now and for many years to come. — Heloise

DRAINING A HOT WATER TANK

Dear Heloise: Draining a hot water tank can be dangerous. One way to make it safe is to turn off the breaker to the water heater, then take a long shower. When the water starts to feel lukewarm, you know all the water in the tank is at a safe temperature to drain. I read your column from Post Falls, Idaho! — Karen C., via email

Karen, thanks for the reminder that our hot water tanks can cause some terrible burns. If you don’t know how to drain the tank, call for professional help. — Heloise

HOT-AIR HAND DRYERS

Dear Heloise: I read your column in the Messenger every day. I have a question about hot-air hand dryers. My friends think that the dryers spread many germs, so some of them do not wash their hands. I now carry a paper towel in my back pocket to use after washing my hands. — Tony, in Iowa

Tony, most hand dryers have a filter that’s supposed to be removed and cleaned. But there has been some research done, and it has been found that hot-air dryers do spread germs! — Heloise