Dear Heloise: When I buy a dozen eggs, I transfer them to an egg tray in my refrigerator once I get home. Before I throw away the cardboard carton that they came in, I cut out the "use by" date and put it with the eggs in the refrigerator. I never have to try to remember when I purchased the eggs or how long they've been there, just in case I don't use all of them up quick enough.

- Pat, in Ewing, New Jersey

A HANDY HINT

Dear Heloise: Years ago, after having major back surgery, I had to use a walker for several months. My husband cut a piece of plywood out of a laminated particle board and made a shelf for my walker. It comes in handy to carry food to the table for meals, carry clothes to the laundry room, or transport basically anything anywhere. I also have a bag attached to hold a grabber, my cellphone and more. This has been a lifesaver for me.

-Ruth C., in Salado, Texas

CHECKING FOR LEAD

Dear Heloise: I just read about using vintage dishes and how pretty they are. Lead poisoning from lead-based glazes is a real danger. Before using vintage dishes, buy an ultravioletlight lead-testing kit (about $30 online), since the swab kits don't work well. I discovered that my set of vintage dishes had lead glazes, so they're now in the trash. They're still sold online, which is really unfortunate.

- Jackie Q., in Tucson, Arizona

SLEEPING BAG CARE

Dear Heloise: I have washed sleeping bags in the washer before and managed to hang them up to dry. I draped them over a clothesline that consisted of plastic-coated cable in my basement, but it was extremely difficult. There must be a better way.

Does anyone make a device - a framework structure - that is made just for this? It would be an aid for quilts as well.

- Happy Camper, via email

Happy Camper, I once tried to dry two sleeping bags over my fence on a dry, sunny day. I unzipped the bag, then draped it over a fence. They dried in a short time and smelled nice. You might also check to see if the tags on the sleeping bags have washing and drying instructions. You can try drying them on the "delicate" cycle to dry your sleeping bags.

-Heloise

WHEN LIVING ALONE

Dear Heloise: I recently read a newspaper article about the importance of checking in with someone daily for people who live alone. As a widow living alone in a new neighborhood, this struck a chord with me, so I set up a schedule with my daughters who each live about 30 minutes away.

I send a group text to them each morning at 7 a.m. as they are starting theirworkdays. It's just an emoji or two -

sometimes a quick word to say, "Good morning. I'm doing fine." No reply is necessary from them, and we all go on with our day.

-Lea M.,viaemail

Lea, this is an excellent idea. - Heloise

Send a great hint to Heloise@Heloise.com.