DEAR ABBY: My wife cleans our hand-held vacuum in the kitchen sink. I think this particular appliance is probably the dirtiest one in the house and should be cleaned outside, not in the kitchen sink where food is prepared. She says she cleans the sink thoroughly afterward. I'm grossed out by the whole thing. What do you think? -- PEEVED UP NORTH
DEAR PEEVED: I think you're grossed out by the idea that your hand-held vacuum is the dirtiest appliance in the house, but please calm yourself. People wash all kinds of things in the kitchen sink -- children, pet dishes, the soles of shoes. As long as your wife cleans and sanitizes the sink afterward, you should be safe.