Dear Heloise: I am looking for the recipe for ice packs in which I believe rubbing alcohol was used with the water so it would not freeze solid.
Having a nephew who plays numerous sports, it sure would be handy. —Kem Stover, New Albany, Ohio
Yes, these homemade ice packs can come in very handy for sprains, strains and other sports injuries, and they are cheap!
To make, use a sturdy plastic bag that is freezer-safe and seals well. Add 3 parts water to 1 part 70 percent isopropyl alcohol (add some blue food coloring if you want to identify it). Seal the bag and, for extra protection, slip it into another freezer-safe bag and seal — double protection in case of leaks. Label the ice pack ("nonedible") and place flat in the freezer.
Use when frozen by first placing a towel on the area and then applying the ice pack — an ice pack should not be placed directly on the skin.
Note: Isopropyl alcohol can also be found at 91 percent. This higher alcohol content will make a stronger solution with a lower freezing point.
This ice pack is reusable — just wipe the outside with a clean cloth and put back in the freezer until next time. —Heloise
Dear Heloise: Many shoes, boots and even tennis shoes come with "braided" laces. Should the plastic-tube ending be broken or slip off, the lace begins to fray and is soon useless — and it's a real hassle to determine the right length and find the right color for replacement.
There is a product in the electrical/electronics industry, described as a heat-shrink tubing, that you can place over the end, and when heated with a match or soldering iron, it will shrink on the end and save the lace. Most electronics stores stock this product, and it is of low cost. —Bruce, via e-mail
Dear Heloise:When I send a personal check (or any other confidential information) to someone in the mail and don't have a security envelope, I enclose it in another piece of paper so that it can't be seen through the envelope. This morning, as I was mailing another check to one of my children, I got a brainstorm. I tore out a page of the telephone book, a page that I knew I'd never need, and enclosed the check in that busy piece of paper. It worked great — no hint of a check in the envelope when held up to the light! —Nancy, via e-mail
Dear Heloise:I like to buy my patterns and take them home to study before buying material and notions. Instead of carrying the pattern back with me, I scan the pattern on my computer, reduce the size and print it out. Then I write what I need on the printed sheet. I then either glue the picture in a small notebook or place it in a small photo album. This is what I take when I go shopping — it is a lot easier to shop with. —Shirley Cole, Palestine, Texas
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. © King Features Syndicate Inc.