Expert packing

Dear Heloise: Knowing that many people travel in the summertime, and after reading your column, I am writing to tell you how I pack so that it might help others.

I pack all of my hair items in one makeup box and all of my makeup items in another.

Then I lay out each dress on a portable rack, on its hanger. (By the way, when I do pack the dress, I put it in the suitcase right on its own hanger! Hotel rooms so seldom have enough hangers or the correct type.)

I never pack a dress in a suitcase until I have laid out the matching shoes, purse, gloves and hat that I will wear with it. Then I pack my gloves and kerchief inside the purse that I will be carrying.

A bed is an excellent place to put out all the items. When I have the entire outfit together, then I pack it. I always see that the belt is attached to the dress hanger for each dress.

I have a special case for my hats. It is tall hatbox style. I always stuff my hats carefully with tissue paper, and I put a good deal of the tissue inside the hatbox so they will not rattle around in traveling.

When I get to my destination, I unpack all of my clothing, including the hats so they can "stretch out and breathe." I never let my hats stay in their case.

As I wear each dress, I put it in the bottom of the suitcase on its hanger so I don't have to unpack that one again.

I always wash my underwear each night. One thing I cannot stand is to pack soiled clothing with clean clothing.

If possible, I also wash out my dresses each night. They are then clean to repack. Even if I do not have time the next day to iron them -- at least they are clean when I repack them. -- Joan Crawford

Yes, Joan Crawford, the actress, wrote this letter to my mother, who started this column in 1959.

I found the clipping in an old Heloise Hints book, which was a gift from Sean Sullivan, a friend. It didn't have a date on it. I turned the clipping over, and there was an article about Iowa Gov. Norman A. Erbe and a case he was working on with no date.

So, guess what? We called our local library reference desk, and they were able to conclude that the hint was originally printed in 1962.

Libraries have a wealth of information available just for the asking. Call the reference desk for help -- and remember, you can also check out books, videos, DVDs and audiobook tapes. -- Heloise

SAFETY-CAP SOLUTION

Dear Heloise: My husband and I got tired of fighting with the safety caps on mouthwash. Now we pour the mouthwash in a sports-drink squirt bottle.

Note: This should only be done in households without small children. -- Nancy, Boca Raton, Fla.