Dear Readers: My mother, the original Heloise (1919-1977), was a passionate activist for homemakers and heads of households everywhere.

From one of her books, “Heloise All Around the House,” here is a hint. Change your perspective on your morning routine, and you won’t get so bored:

“Drink your first cup of coffee in the living room, not in the kitchen. Take five minutes alone to meditate, be grateful, and find a purpose for the day!”

Sound advice today, too! — Heloise II, the daughter

I WANT INFO!

Dear Heloise: I really get annoyed with people and companies that insist on using their services that can only be found online.

Where I live, the paper is printed only three days a week, because everyone can use a computer to get updated information!

If something happens on a Thursday, I have to wait for the Sunday edition for coverage. Thank you for your hints. Companies would have so many more consumers if they used all forms of communication. — Patsy R., Halifax, Pa.

I HEAR YOU! Hope they do, too. — Heloise

HELOISE CLEANING

SOLUTION

Dear Heloise: I lost my favorite (yours) recipe for cleaning bathrooms. You should run this often. I wrote it on the bottle, but the last ingredient got erased. — Reba J., Mobile, Ala.

Reba, this is one of my multipurpose go-to cleaners. The last ingredient missing was ammonia. So, here is the complete

Heloise cleaning solution:

1/2 cup regular household ammonia

1/2 cup rubbing alcohol (50, 70 or 90 percent)

1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid

1 gallon water

Pour into a clean spray bottle and be sure to label CLEARLY with the ingredients. Also, use a microfiber cloth to clean — they are just wonderful! This recipe, along with many other easy cleaners, can be found in my pamphlet Heloise’s Homemade Cleaning Solutions. Visit my website, www.Heloise.com, to order one, or send a long, self-addressed, stamped (70 cents) envelope, along with $5, to: Heloise/HCS, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Keep all cleaners labeled clearly, and store them up and away from children and pets. — Heloise

NO-OUCH BANDAGE

Dear Heloise: When it comes to removing an adhesive bandage, it can be painful. I soak a cotton ball in baby oil and rub it on the bandage, then gently pull it off. — Ana M. in Hawaii

WHAT’S ON THE MENU?

Dear Heloise: At my office, we order lunch often, and at home, we order out once a week or so to give Mom and Dad a break.

I started keeping a file of our favorite restaurants’ menus, which makes ordering easy. But an even easier option is to look at the restaurant’s menu online. Each location of a franchise may have a different menu, so I make sure I’m at the right location. — Emily and family in Dallas

FRESH BOOK

Dear Heloise: Some library books can carry a cigarette-smoke odor. I slip a clothes-dryer sheet somewhere within the pages to eliminate it. — Mary Rose W., Columbus, Ohio

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Hints from Heloise run occasionally in Lifestyles. Readers may send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE, or email: Heloise@Heloise.com. Letters won’t be answered personally.