HELPFUL HINTS

— DEAR READERS: In a recent column, I explained how to layer scents of a favorite perfume. I asked how many perfumes you have, andthe responses varied greatly! You wrote in with not only the number of perfumes, but also asking for a reminder that many peopleare highly sensitive to perfumes. Here are some comments:

Kathy in California wrote: “I’m a perfume junkie. I have 45 bottles. Each morning, I choose a fragrance for the day. I don’t feel dressed without my perfume.”

Jan in Texas wrote, “I have been wearing the same perfume since I was a senior in high school back in 1969, which means I have been wearing it 43 years or so.”

Jody, via e-mail, said, “I have well over 200-plus fullsize bottles of fragrances ... as I love having a choice.”

On the other side:

Tracey, via e-mail, said: “Too bad you didn’t discourage use of perfumes and scented lotions instead of showing how to layer fragrances to make it ‘more.’ Too many, including myself, are sensitive to chemical fragrances and can barely stand to even walk near a perfume-wearing person.”

Donna, via e-mail, said: “Please ask your readers (especially those who work around others) to go light on these, as many of us are allergic to them. For me, perfume makes my nose burn and eyes water, and then I get a headache.”

P.S.: Visit my website, Heloise.com, for links to my Facebook and Twitter pages - hints, fun facts and more! Come see photos and check out what’s happening.

DEAR HELOISE: If you have an indoor cat (or cats), invest in a heavy-duty litter scoop. I purchased one that is larger than the typical plastic one. It is made of metal, with a rubberized material on the handle. It provides a better grip and is larger and longer, so you don’t have to bend down quite so far. The metal does not flex like plastic does, making the scooping easier. Itwill last forever.

  • Nancy, New Hampshire

DEAR HELOISE: After washing some place mats, I realized I could not put them in the dryer. Thinking about how I could dry them flat, my cooling racks came to mind. I spread the mats out on top of the racks, and by the end of the day, they were dry. So many uses for those racks.

  • Linda T., Reeds Spring, Mo. Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or e-mail

Heloise@Heloise.com

Weekend, Pages 46 on 11/22/2012

Upcoming Events