Try a simple way to freeze bacon
Dear Heloise: I love bacon, but as a single person, it takes several weeks to use a full pound. I tried freezing it, but then I would not be able to pull off a single strip of bacon when I need one.
So, I decided to try rolling the individual strips into separate rolls, then put them in a bag and freeze them. When I need a strip or two, I simply pull them out of the freezer bag and defrost them in the microwave. No more waste or frustration! The rolls are also great for dicing and making bacon bits. — Mary, in Boston
Two helpful hints
Dear Heloise: When hanging sweaters or stretchy tops that might get a little bump on the shoulder, I hang them inside out. This way, if they do get a bump, it will be less noticeable.
Also, when storing clothes, I label them by weight. For example, for clothes that are too small, I label them “135 pounds” — meaning that I wore them when I weighed 135 pounds. I have found this much easier than having to go through everything to see if they fit. I hope you find these tips helpful. — Rhonda Fulk, via email
Denim skirts
Dear Heloise: I like my denim skirt, but the hem is always turned up. I decided to line-dry it and use clothespins along the hem to keep it flat. It works very well. — Collen Stuchal, via email
Sweet corn hints
Dear Heloise: I’ve seen a couple of sweet corn ideas recently, so here is another one: What we always do is cut the kernels off the cob. Then we freeze it raw, not precooked, in zip-close bags flattened to about 1 inch thick. They stack well in a corner of the freezer.
When we want some, we just break off as much as we need and cook it any way we want. A favorite of mine is equal parts of corn, ripe red peppers, and chopped onion fried together in olive oil. If you want “hotter” corn, just add your favorite type of pepper.
Another tip when cutting the corn off the cob is to put a small bowl upside down inside a larger bowl. I love your column and its shortcuts and other ideas. — Mark Egli, Manson, Iowa
Keeping the fridge clean
Dear Heloise: The last time I cleaned inside my refrigerator, I realized most of the stains and spots on the racks were from container bottoms that were placed there after being used. To keep the racks looking clean, I wipe down the sides and bottoms of each item used and replaced in there. It saves time when cleaning periodically. — B.T., in West Virginia