Hints From Heloise

A Formula for Bath Salts

Dear Heloise: I cannot find my recipe for BATH SALTS. Can you please reprint it for me? -- R. Worsley, Delhi, La.

Bath salts are easy to make and very economical. All you'll need are Epsom salts, glycerin, food coloring and your favorite perfume. Put 3 cups of Epsom salts in a glass or metal bowl (the mixture might stain a plastic bowl). In another bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of glycerin, a few drops of food coloring and enough perfume to make a fragrant mixture. Slowly add this mixture to the Epsom salts and stir until mixed thoroughly. If you want a stronger fragrance, add more perfume. For a decorative look, place the bath salts in a pretty jar and add a bow. -- Heloise

HANDY SPREADSHEET

Dear Heloise: I read the hint about using a spreadsheet to organize addresses. I use mine for not only addresses, but telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, anniversary dates, birthdays, spouse names, children names, pets and more. I even create notes for grouping them for cards or for vacation postcards, so it's easy to sort and print out the addresses I need. -- Rose Harpestad, Portland, Maine

TWEEZER HINT

Dear Heloise: To help keep a pair of tweezers still working strong when they lose their grip, give them a rub with sandpaper or back and forth over the tips with an emery board. -- Anna Victoria Reich, Stafford, Va.

TOE INJURY

Aloha, Heloise: My wife and I faithfully read your column in The Maui (Hawaii) News and have often been amazed at the simple, yet truly functional, suggestions.

I have a chunk torn out of my big toe and really need to keep it dry to keep the healing process moving along. I stretch an inexpensive surgical glove over the front half of my foot, and I can shower freely with total protection. -- Robert Shaw, via e-mail

BARBECUE SAUCE

Dear Heloise: Does your barbecue sauce get soupy and not coat the ribs, chicken or whatever meat you're cooking? Here's what I like to do: I simply add a couple of tablespoons of syrup to the sauce before brushing or spooning it over the meat. Any kind of syrup works beautifully, but maple adds an especially rich, yummy flavor. -- Marge Miller, Chatham, Ill.

LAUNDRY WOES

Dear Heloise: Since my husband has retired and I'm still working, doing laundry is his new "honey do." Instead of getting upset that he dried something he shouldn't have, I now attach a safety pin on the collar or waistband of clothing I don't want dried. It works out wonderfully. -- Suzy in Las Vegas

FIREPLACE SCARF

Dear Heloise: When I discovered how expensive fireplace mantle scarves are, I came up with the idea to use a lacy curtain valance instead. They're usually the right width for the mantle, and I've found several at thrift stores for around $1 each. Keep up the good work! -- Sioux City Sue, via e-mail

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise(at)Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.

(c)2008 by King Features Syndicate Inc.