Dear Heloise: I read your hint about covering outdoor plants during the cold winter weather. I live outside of Houston and wanted to protect my husband’s impatiens during the Arctic blast of 2021.

I first covered the plants with any cardboard boxes that I had, then covered the boxes with a blanket or towels. I then covered the boxes with tarps from my hurricane emergency supplies. The improvised greenhouses worked, and I was pleased to see lots of green — and even flowers — when I uncovered the plants. — Mary F., Sugar Land, Texas

STORING A COOLER

Dear Readers: Before you store a cooler away after you’re done using it for the day, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda into it and stuff it with crumpled newspapers to prevent a musty smell from gathering. Try to store it with the lid propped open to allow air to circulate.

When you are ready to use it again, dump the baking soda into the kitchen sink. Run lots of water over it, and the drain will be refreshed, too! — Heloise

US POSTAL SERVICE WEB ADDRESS

Dear Heloise: In case of potential scammers, your readers should know that the United States Postal Service’s web address is www.USPS.com. However, they usually send emails only in response to a request or action, such as a change of address. — William Carter, via email

CLEANING COOKIE SHEETS

Dear Readers: Our metal baking sheets get so much use that they often accumulate a greasy buildup. To remove it, scrub the sheet with a scouring powder or a fine steel-wool pad. You also can use an oven cleaner, but do not use this on nonstick pans.

For nonstick pans, set in hot, sudsy water and use a nylon scrubber. Never use abrasive cleaners or steel wool on them. And do not use metal utensils on nonstick surfaces; instead use wooden or plastic tools. Do not put nonstick pans into the dishwasher. Read the manufacturer’s care and cleaning recommendations for your particular brand. — Heloise