Don’t put this homemade cleaner into car

Dear Heloise: I am looking for a formula for windshield-washing fluid. There’s no reason to buy it by the gallon and generate another wasteful gallon container. Do you have one? Norman, via e-mail

Norman, we are all in the “saving” mode these days. The recipe we have for windshield cleaner is not to be put in the windshield-fluid reservoir. It’s used to clean car windows when needed. Most commercial windshield-cleaner liquid contains antifreeze, and this is the reason you should not use auto windshield fluid to wash windows around your home. Antifreeze is poisonous!

To make the homemade cleaner, fill a spray bottle (label clearly) with equal parts rubbing alcohol and water, and keep in your vehicle with a roll of paper towels. Keep away from children.

Also, if you have any type of specialized protective or sunscreen coating or tinting, check the care instructions before using the cleaner on it. Heloise

Dear Heloise: I used to hate cleaning the bathroom more than anything else because I always hurt my knees and back leaning over into the tub to scrub the sides. I also invariably got soaked when I had to get into the tub to clean the walls.

I’ve found a great way to save my knees and back and keep myself dry. I use an old sponge mop! It’s so easy! I just run a little hot water in the tub, get the mop head wet, apply whatever cleaning agent I’m using directly and then “mop” the walls and sides of the tub. It’s wonderful. Jennifer Schono, Fredericksburg, Va.

Dear Heloise: After reaching my flight destination, I was in need of a brush to remove lint from my clothing. When removing the luggage airport tag, I discovered that the sticky side of the tag could be used to take off the lint, which is similar to purchased lint rollers. Dorothy Bice, Paso Robles, Calif.

Dear Heloise: I discovered that my favorite powder was no longer being made by the perfume company. Do you know of a recipe for making your own, since the fragrance from this dusting powder is still being made? Carol Hansen, via e-mail

We all are trying to save money these days, so making scented dusting powder is a perfect way to save more yet enjoy this little luxury. Fill the old container with cornstarch or baking soda, then spray some fragrance or dab the liquid perfume on a tissue, put it in the container and close it up tight. Heloise

Dear Heloise: I use empty coffee containers, with lids, for grease drippings. The heavy-duty plastic containers do not leak, and the lids keep the odor in. I dispose of them when another container is emptied. Pat, via e-mail

Be sure the grease has cooled before putting it into the plastic container — you don’t want the plastic to melt. Heloise

SBlt 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