Dear Heloise: After cleaning kitchen implements, etc., with watered-down bleach, there is still a weird “greasy” feel that just won’t go away. What givesfi — Steve M., Ventura, Calif.

Bleach can sometimes leave a residue, especially if you are adding too much bleach to the water. A leading manufacturer said you should be able to remove the residue by rinsing the items in hot water. If this doesn’t work, then give the items a vinegar bath (a couple glugs of vinegar to a sinkful of hot water). This should cut the residue, and you will be left with sparkling-clean utensils.

Remember, you really shouldn’t mix bleach and dishwashing liquid together. A couple of capfuls of bleach can be added to the rinse water, though, for sanitizing purposes. — Heloise

FYI: Bleach won’t remove grease or oil well. You need a soap or detergent to tackle those types of problems.

Travel tip

Dear Heloise: When we travel, I always take a stain stick with me to pre-treat our laundry stains. It really seems to help keep the stains from setting, since I don’t do laundry as frequently while traveling as I do at home.

(Note from Heloise: Please be sure it’s the type of “stain stick” that can set on clothes awhile before laundering — some products say to wash the garment right away.)

And here’s another favorite hint: I keep all of my nested measuring cups and spoons in a small, square basket. Then I can easily pull it out from the cupboard and have all the sizes that I need in one handy place. — Cathy Tuttle, Boise, Idaho

Easy fill

Dear Heloise: I was looking for a way to fill the steam iron prior to using it. I found that if I used a gravy separator, it works. — Frank J. Novak, Lexington, Va.

Tennis balls

Dear Heloise: I found a tip on the care label of a down vest. It recommended using clean, new tennis balls in the dryer to keep my vest fluffy and to help it dry completely. I have used this technique with other coats, comforters and stuffed animals. Puffy or thick items will mold in the middle if they are not completely dried, which is unhealthy. It is also a great way to rejuvenate bed pillows using just a couple of tennis balls, a dryer sheet and your dryer. The ball collects hair and lint as well. Just pick it clean and store it away so the kids don’t get it dirty playing with it. — Susan Payne, Via E-mail

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page C8.