http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/01/AR2006020100976.html
Hints From Heloise
By Heloise
Thursday, February 2, 2006; 12:00 AM
Dear Readers: Here are some hints to help eliminate pesky STATIC CLING in your home. With cold weather, heaters on, fires burning in the fireplace and static cling in full swing, here's how you can enjoy the warmth without all that cling:
Keep a large pot of water simmering on your stove. The escaping steam will add moisture to the air -- and why not add a drop of cinnamon oil or a few orange or lemon peels to the pot? The fragrance is homey and inviting -- just keep an eye on it so that it doesn't boil dry.
Place cups, bowls or vases of water throughout the home. As the water evaporates, it will put some of that much-needed moisture back into the air -- just refill as needed. For a decorative touch, put flower buds in a bowl of water, with stones or marbles lining the bottom.
A great clingbuster is a tabletop water fountain. Not only are you keeping the air moist, but the soothing bubbling sound is very relaxing.
A fine-mist spray bottle filled with water can be used to "spritz out" static -- especially clinging clothes -- in a pinch. Just don't spritz silk or other fine fabrics.
Or, you can always invest in a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier.
Hope these help keep your home static-free! -- Heloise
KITCHEN MAID POEM
Dear Heloise: I have read your column for many years in the Reading (Pa.) Eagle. You've printed directions for a "Kitchen Maid," which is made up of household utensils. I have made many of these through the years for my daughters and their friends as shower gifts. On each one, I attached a card with the following verse, which I thought your readers would like to use:
"Of kitchen utensils, you'll need quite a few,
"And so I've made this 'maid' for you.
"But in order for her to do her chores,
"Like dry the dishes and sweep the floors,
"You must take her apart, piece by piece,
"And then supply the 'elbow grease.'"
-- Alice S., West Lawn, Pa.
THAT'S A WRAP
Dear Heloise: Here's a unique way of wrapping a gift: I met a man who was getting out of the paint business, and he had all these shiny, never-used paint cans that he wanted to dispose of. Because he only wanted a dime for each, I bought him out. Now I seal gifts that will fit inside a 1-gallon can and either make a paper label out of gift wrap or design my own. -- Jay Pokines, Hoosick Falls, N.Y.
ICE-CREAM CARTON
Dear Heloise: When I empty any ice-cream carton (the premium kind with lids), I wash it instead of throwing it away. Then when I need to throw away old leftovers from the fridge, I put them in the carton, put the lid on it and then throw it away. I have also used them at the beach to collect and bring home seashells. It works very well. -- Becky J. of Tennessee
Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
2006 by King Features Syndicate Inc.