Dear Heloise: I use small paper tags that are hung by a string on each of my clothing hangers. These can be purchased from an office supply store. On one side, I write a short description of the clothing item, such as “long-sleeve black sweater with a V-neck.” On the other side, I write the name of the store and the month/year of purchase.

I started doing this because some items needed specific hangers. However, I have found this practical to know how long I have owned an item or where I have purchased it. I know this seems over-the-top, but it has been useful for me and could also be useful for others. — Linda Jacob, via email

DITCH LIQUID SOAP

Dear Heloise: I recently read that one bar of soap is equivalent to up to 20 plastic soap bottles. I went online to verify this and was startled to see how many celebrities and civic leaders are pushing the “back to bars” movement as a simple way to cut down on plastic.

Although I still use liquid soap to travel, I have eliminated it from my home, and I don’t even miss it! — Ann Hamilton, in Missoula, Montana

NEW IDEA

FOR THE TUB

Dear Heloise: I have this long wand, to which a soap-infused scrubbing pad is attached so that I can clean my toilet. After using it, I just push a small lever, and the pad can be ejected into the trash. I recently bought a second wand, and I use it with the soap scrubbers to scrub my bathtub.

I can’t bend over my tub as I did when I was younger, and this works like a charm. To tell them apart, I painted the bathtub wand with a wide ring of red nail polish. — Norma, in Michigan

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.