Creating own bath salts makes good scents

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

Dear Heloise: I read the hint about using a spreadsheet to organize addresses. I use mine for not only addresses, but also 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

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.

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

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.

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

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

X Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate