Hints From Heloise

Dear Heloise: I use your alcohol-ammonia cleaning mixture regularly. I added a dash or two of clear vanilla to the mixture to give it a good smell. It makes it smell nice and my cleaning spray now blends so well with my vanilla room spray, candles and potpourri. - Ellen Smith, Wylie, Texas

For readers who missed it, the mixture is a homestyle ammonia-based cleaner. To make it, mix 1/2-cup sudsy ammonia, 1 pint rubbing alcohol and 1 teaspoon mild dishwashing liquid with enough water to make a gallon of cleaner.

Label this money-saving solution with the ingredients, and, as with all cleaning products, keep it out of reach of small children and pets.

This solution can usually be used on painted surfaces, but always test first. - Heloise