DEAR HELOISE: Where is the best place to store my perfume?
-- Lisa N. in Pittsburgh
DEAR READER: Perfume storage is important. We pay a pretty penny to smell pretty, so here are some hints to help preserve it:
• Avoid storing fragrances in places where the temperature changes significantly and quickly, e.g., the bathroom.
• Light also is an enemy of perfume.
• A couple of good places to store this sweet-smelling stuff? The refrigerator, or your closet.
• If your perfume starts to smell bad or if it changes color, toss it.
• Perfume is a personal choice, but citrusy scents usually don't last as long (shelf-life-wise) as woodsy and Oriental fragrances.
DEAR HELOISE: I had toenail fungus, and the over-the-counter topical creams did nothing. I did not want to take drugs, so I decided to soak my feet each night in a vinegar solution. After about three months, my toenail fungus is gone.
-- Charlotte P., via email
DEAR READER: Charlotte, vinegar can help with toenail fungus by killing certain types of bacteria. A good formula is one part vinegar to two parts water, and soak for 20 minutes. Rinse and dry well. If you experience any irritation, discontinue use and check with your doctor. Yes, it will take several weeks to see improvement, so bring your patience.
Vinegar is one of my go-to Heloise helpers around the house. It's cheap, readily available and nontoxic. Boil a cup of water in a pan and add 2 tablespoons of vinegar to squelch cooking odors.
DEAR HELOISE: I save my dryer lint in anticipation of spring. I put it outside when the birds are looking for material to construct their nests. I think they love the lint because it is so soft.
-- Liz B., The Villages, Fla.
DEAR READER: Liz, it is great that you're thinking of our feathered friends, but dryer lint can pose a couple of problems. If it gets wet, it can dry hard, like cement. It also can contain fragrance from fabric softener and soap residue that could irritate the birds. What are some better alternatives? Try these:
• natural cotton balls
• 3-inch strands of yarn
• clean pet hair
• feathers
• straw
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
Weekend on 05/26/2016