Dear Heloise: Like a number of my friends who are large-breasted, we have a daily problem year-round of sweating onto the band of our bras. About a year ago, I used one of my 12-by-8-inch disposable moist washcloths. I let it dry out, then folded it lengthwise so that it fit snuggly under the bottom of my breasts. It absorbed all the moisture.

At the end of the day, I gently rinse it out with water, and it dries overnight. These washcloths last forever. I have used the same one since the beginning. It keeps me totally dry, and the band of the bra is also dry at the end of the day. — J.K., in Dayton, Ohio COCKROACH ABATEMENT Dear Heloise: Your readers with cockroach challenges should research the use of bay leaves as a roach repellant. Additionally, covering shower and sink drains, especially at night, can help keep cockroaches out. They are drawn to drains due to moisture, food sources, and the shelter they provide.

P.S. I know about cockroaches because I spent my first 24 years in Louisiana and now lots of years in Arizona. When we sailed across the South Pacific on our sailboat, we did everything possible to avoid an infestation of cockroaches on our boat. This meant we couldn’t bring cardboard boxes on board. Roaches like to lay their eggs in the folded cardboard.

They also like to lay eggs beneath labels on canned goods. I try not to bring cardboard boxes inside my home. — J. Gannon, in Tucson, Arizona RECYCLING SHREDDED PAPER Dear Heloise: In reference to the response that shredded paper cannot be recycled, it depends on the municipality or company that provides the recycling service. I can recycle shredded paper as long as it is securely placed in a clear plastic bag and put in the recycle bin. Check with your recycling provider. — Linda Graeper, Caledonia, Wisconsin WOOD SHAVINGS FOR COMPOST Dear Heloise: Regarding the letter from Vera, S. in Albuquerque, New Mexico, adding wood shavings or sawdust to compost is fine as long as the wood is not chemically treated. Also, a great resource for answering any questions you have about gardening and plant care is your agricultural extension service. Every state provides this service, and each county has agents you can contact by phone or email. — Carol G., in New Orleans WIPING DISHES Dear Heloise: My son laughs at me for being so cheap. I save slightly used paper towels and use them to wipe dishes and pots before I put them in the dishwasher. I have been married over 50 years and had a dishwasher since my first year of marriage. It rolled across the floor and hooked up at the sink. I’ve only had to buy two more in all this time. I love reading your hints and have read them for many years. — Brenda Thompson, Texarkana, Arkansas ( 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.)

HINTS FROM HELOISE