HELPFUL HINTS

By HELOISE

Posted: October 4, 2012 at 3:26 a.m.

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LITTLE ROCK — DEAR READERS: What makes a spritz of perfume stronger than a body spray? Parfum (perfume) gets its aroma from perfume oils, not essential oils! Pure essential oils are liquids that stem from natural raw materials, and most should not be in directcontact with the skin. The oils in perfumes are safe for use on bare skin. The fragrance is still diluted in another oil or alcohol, to varythe strength of the scent.

The strength, which is determined by the percentage of perfume oils, can vary. Here’s the list:

Parfum

Eau de Parfum

Eau de Toilette

Eau de Cologne.

“Eau” is a term meaning that there is more alcohol diluting the oil - it is a “watered-down” version of the pure aroma. This doesn’t lessen the quality, only the strength, so you’ll still smell wonderful. Eau la la! Don’t “spray” perfume and walk through it. It can spot some clothes and is too costly to waste!

DEAR HELOISE: If you have a swimming pool and are tired of the time it takes to deflate rafts for storage, try using clothespins. Simply place one clothespin on the valve of each raft to keep it open. It allows the air to escape without human contact.

Also, use clothespins to pinch the raft as it deflates. Simply roll or fold the raft up toward the valve, hold it there with a clothespin, and pretty soon the raft will be out of air, ready to be folded for winter storage. As most pool owners know, many rafts can take a lot of time to deflate at the end of summer. This simple trick has saved us hours!

• Laura L. in Indiana

DEAR HELOISE: Instead of hanging my belts on a hook, one in front of another, I now hang them on the long rod of a clothes hanger. I fold the buckle over the rod and thread the belt part through its buckle. The belts then hang side by side in a neat row. I can see the one I want and remove it easily without having to remove the other belts first.

• Wanda in Oklahoma

DEAR HELOISE: For my son’s birthdays, I was looking for a way to make a lasting souvenir. Now each year I try to find a book to go with the theme of his party. As guests arrive, they write a little message to my son. Years later, he can look over the book and see who signed it.

• A Reader, via e-mail 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 36 on 10/04/2012

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