A Real-World Application of Wits

OK kids, this is a true story. I had taken out the garbage and done some other manly things, which rendered my hands dirty (I am a germaphobe, and I can't believe more of you people aren't too).

So I was in the laundry room and saw the lint filter was out, chock full of lint. Naturally, I couldn't just leave it, to be dealt with at a future time. The problem was that I normally lick a finger in order to wipe out the lint. But clearly I couldn't do so, what with my digits teeming with microbes.

Ironically, there was a sink right next to the dryer. But alas, no hand soap! I resigned myself to going upstairs to wash my hands properly, then coming back down so I could lick my finger and wipe out the lint trap.

But then Encylopedia Brown whispered a suggestion in my ear, which saved me the trip upstairs.

WHAT DID ENCYCLOPEDIA SAY TO BOB?