Hints From Heloise

The Essence of Essential Oil

Dear Heloise: In your hint about window cleaner, what is ESSENTIAL OIL? I have everything for the recipe, but I don't know what essential oil is or where to get it. You like orange because it is refreshing. Where can I buy it? -- Leonard Kennedy, via e-mail

Essential oils come from plants, flowers, bark and skin of fruit such as orange or lemon. They smell like the source and are mainly used in aromatherapy. Lavender is one of my favorites and is calming and relaxing. It and orange are found in many cleaning supplies. Eucalyptus is good in steam baths, foot soaks and to relax tired muscles.

Essential oils can be bought on the Internet or at health-food stores and some grocery stores. Pure essential oils should be in dark bottles, since heat and light are harmful to them. Pure oils usually are blended with a carrier oil such as jojoba, almond or sweet oil to be used in massage, and a few drops go a long way. Most should never be put directly on your skin, since they are extremely strong, and some are photo-sensitive -- that's why you mix them with water or oil.

In case you missed it, our updated window cleaner is cheap to make (less than 20 cents per batch) and works great! Just mix 12-16 ounces of water, 1/2 cup white or apple-cider vinegar, 1/4 cup (70 percent) rubbing alcohol, 1-2 drops of blue or green food color (if desired) and 1-2 drops of lavender, orange or your favorite essential oil. For other great Heloise homemade cleaning solutions, get my newest pamphlet! Just send $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (59 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Cleaners, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-50001. Cleaning supplies like sponges can be sanitized by soaking them in a solution of 3/4 cup bleach and one gallon hot water. As soon as sponges start to smell, toss them! -- Heloise

SEND A GREAT HINT TO:

Heloise

P.O. Box 795000

San Antonio, TX 78279-5000

Fax: 210-HELOISE

E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com

TRAVEL HINT

Dear Heloise: When taking a road trip, if I see something interesting like a store, roadside attraction or restaurant that's advertised on a billboard (and I don't have time to stop, or it's too late), I keep a pad of paper and pen in the car to write down the exit number, and plan to stop during my return trip. -- Sighrina, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

DETERGENT CAP

Dear Heloise: Well, I read a hint recently and thought "DUH" for the suggestion about throwing the detergent cap in the washer. I hate the sticky, drippy cap when using liquid detergent, and, of course, the mess that it leaves dripping down the side of the bottle. But it just never occurred to me to throw the lid in with the wash and keep going. My, you made my day with that suggestion! -- Patricia in Mississippi

NO STOVE-TOP MESS

Dear Heloise: Avoid spills by placing a metal spoon in the pot, which helps absorb heat. The metal spoon also helps keep things from bubbling over to prevent a stove-top mess, but watch out -- the spoon could get hot. -- Anna Victoria Reich, Stafford, Va.

(c)2008 by King Features Syndicate Inc.