Using essential oils in diffuser makes good sense for the home

Dear Heloise: I know you have a lot of recipes to duplicate things. My question is: I have a beautiful, now-empty reed diffuser. Is there a recipe to make new fragrance for the diffuser? Jean White, Seabrook, Texas

You came to the right place! I’ve been using essential oils for many, many years, and they add such a nice scent to a room. Simply mix 1 part essential oil to 3 parts water and pour it into the diffuser. Shake well (the oil and water mixture eventually will separate). Give it the smell test and see if you want the scent stronger (add a few more drops of oil to the mix) or weaker (add more water to the mix). We enjoy using lavender and bergamot essential-oil mix in a diffuser at Heloise Central. Heloise

Dear Readers: Now is the time to take stock of valuables. Keep track of them with digital photos of each item. Download the photos to your computer, and make several CDs. Keeping a copy of the CD in the bank or a safe place will come in handy for insurance purposes. Heloise

Dear Heloise: I like doing jigsaw puzzles and purchased a puzzle keeper (a felt mat, rolled around a tube — Heloise) at a game store. You can work on your puzzle at your leisure and then store it upright behind a chair or sofa. I gave several as gifts to friends and family who are puzzle enthusiasts. Thrift stores are a great source for puzzles. P.S.: I never look at the picture on the box. It’s part of the challenge. Gay Snider, Mount Vernon, Texas

Dear Heloise: Here is my favorite way to save every bit of lipstick: I use a toothpick to dig the lipstick out. I put these globs in a small jar such as for lip balm and microwave (be very careful — only microwave for a second without the lid — Heloise) until melted. Then I stir with a toothpick, let cool and apply with a lipstick brush. Since the jar has a lid, this travels well, and I have never failed to get a great color.

Lipstick is quite expensive now, and I just can’t stand to waste it. Beth, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I live in a town that collects recyclables and requests that cardboard boxes be cut into flat pieces. I found that boxes are more easily cut apart using a serrated kitchen knife instead of a single-edge box cutter. Jim Gallagher, Huntington Beach, Calif.

Dear Heloise: Here is a hint I would like to share with those who suffer from arthritis of the hands and wear dentures:

While rinsing the dentures, immerse the tube of adhesive in warm water. This softens the cream and makes it extremely easy to dispense. A word of caution: Squeeze gently, as the softened adhesive flows easily. Allen L., San Diego

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