Everyday Cheapskate

Dear Mary: I would like to find a recipe to make hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. Do you know of one? — Delores, e-mail

Dear Delores: I have been thinking about the same thing, now that we're learning that products like Purell are typically 60 percent alcohol-based. Even though that rivals the potency of a 120-proof alcoholic beverage for a child who might ingest it, public health departments are saying that the benefit these sanitizers offer in stopping the spread of illness outweighs the potential risk of alcohol poisoning. I'm with you. There has to be a better way.

Dr. Lawrence D. Rosen — a New Jersey pediatrician who dispenses natural health advice on his blog, at http://www.WholeChildCenter.org — recommends mixing equal amounts of the following therapeutic-grade essential oils: cinnamon bark, lemon, eucalyptus, clove and rosemary. Mix them with jojoba or olive oil as a carrier, and use on hands as a sanitizer. (Note: Pure essential oils can be very potent. It's important to test some on a small patch of skin to check for any adverse reactions.) I trust Dr. Rosen, but that sounds like more trouble than I'm willing to go through, and essential oils are not exactly cheap.

As I mentioned in a previous column, I'm sticking with Nok-Out. I don't think I can beat it. Nok-Out is Environmental Protection Agency-certified to be totally effective against the H1N1 virus. It's an antibiotic, fragrance-free, nontoxic and stable (meaning its effectiveness is long-lasting), and it looks and smells like water. It also is convenient. Totally safe around pets and children, Nok-Out doesn't contain a drop of alcohol.

I have my travel-size bottle of Nok-Out ($5.95) in my handbag at all times.

I make my own sanitizing wipes by cutting paper towels in half, folding them into a stack and then putting them into a small zip-close bag. I pour Nok-Out into the bag to saturate the stack. Then I press out the air and zip it up. They are the best wipes I ever have used, if I do say so myself. These days, I'm a wiping fool! So far, it's paying off. Learn more at http://www.NokOut.com, or call 866-551-1927 to order.

Here's to your health!

Dear Mary: Thanks for your article about wood-burning fireplaces. If someone has a free supply of wood to use, would you consider a wood-burning insert more economical than just an open fireplace? — Stephanie, e-mail

Dear Stephanie: A well-fitting insert is an excellent way to make a wood-burning fireplace a lot more economical. This strategy is similar to converting a fireplace from one that burns wood to one that has gas logs. A fireplace insert sits partially inside the fireplace and is equipped with an outer shell to deliver heated air into the room and minimize heat loss. Panels surround and cover the fireplace's opening, and a stainless steel liner extends to the top of the chimney. All inserts that are sold these days must meet certain minimum efficiency requirements. Seeing as you can count on free fuel, it sounds like a great option for you.

Do you have a question for Mary? E-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 18 books, including "Can I Pay My Credit Card Bill With a Credit Card?" To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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