DEAR HELOISE: Dealing with cupcake batter ...

... can be so messy, so here's my hint to make it a much easier process. Use a gravy ladle or an ice cream dipper to scoop up the exact amount for each cupcake. This way, the batter will not spill all over the tins. Heloise Dear Readers: To prevent your cats from digging into your precious houseplants, just spread a layer of marbles, plastic craft mesh or pinecones over the soil. Your cat will not want to walk on these items. Heloise Dear Heloise: I had a couple of thoughts about paint cans. Rather than using a bread wrapper or a sheet of plastic to make a paint can easier to open, use Vaseline. When a paint can is fresh and new, use a cotton swab to smear some Vaseline on the edge of the lid and the top of the can. Paint won't stick to the greasy surfaces, and it'll be very easy to open the can. The same goes with a small glass jar — put Vaseline on the edge of the jar and the inner edge of the lid.This also works well on super glue containers. When they are new, use a cotton swab to smear Vaseline on the spout and inside the cap. Super glue won't stick, and the containers will last much longer. Keep them in the refrigerator, and they'll last even longer! J.E. in California Dear Readers: To remove tomato stains from plastic containers, pour a small amount of baking soda onto a damp cloth and rub the stains until gone. Rinse well.Baking soda is a wonderful go-to tool for cleaning and deodorizing around the house. My pamphlet "Heloise's Baking Soda Hints and Recipes" will tell you all about it. To order your own copy, go to www.Heloise.comYou can also get this useful pamphlet by sending $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Heloise/Baking Soda, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Heloise Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com