Keep hair silver with soda rinse

Dear Heloise: I have been an admirer of your great common sense and wonderful advice for years.

Recently, I stopped dyeing my hair and let it go white — or silver, as I like to say. As I am growing it longer, I am noticing a tinge of yellow on the last 2 inches of my hair. You have beautiful white hair that is white from roots to ends. Do you have any hints on maintaining that look and keeping the yellow from coming in? —Deb Comeau, via e-mail

Deb, thank you and others for the compliments about my hair. I always say "thank you," but a major part is due to my ancestors! I've been a lucky recipient of good hair genes. My hairdresser, Jane, says to have the ends of your hair trimmed regularly, even though you are growing it longer. That will remove the damaged ends and help to keep it looking healthy.

The yellowing could be caused by a number of things, including products that leave a buildup and dull your hair. Also, chemicals, rust or iron in the water and even sun exposure can cause that yellow look. But there are special shampoos (they are purple) that, with regular use, will remove the yellow tinge. Or try using good old baking soda mixed with water (4 tablespoons to 1 quart water) as a great homemade solution for buildup removal.

Mix well, pour it on your hair, and massage down to the roots and out to the ends. Rinse well, shampoo and condition as usual.

For more great baking-soda hints, order my six-page pamphlet by sending $4 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (60 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Baking Soda, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001.

FYI: Quick-clean combs and brushes by soaking them in a baking-soda-and-water solution overnight — or, after removing loose hair, pour on a little hair shampoo, scrub off with another brush or comb, rinse in hot water and let air-dry. —Heloise

Dear Heloise: I have a problem with those different flavors of creamers that you put into your coffee: Mine usually begin to leak out of the bottom of the container. So, I use a peanut-butter-jar lid or other lid to put under the bottle to catch drips. That way, the leakage doesn't go on the refrigerator shelf, and I can rinse out the lid easily. —Donna B., via e-mail

Dear Heloise: The best way to rid hands of strong odors (bleach, onion, garlic, fish, etc.) is to pour 1 tablespoon of liquid fabric softener on your hands and rinse it off. Like magic, the smell is instantly gone, and your hands smell as though they've been through the wash, without a harsh feeling! —J. Parnasa in Israel

Dear Heloise: After purchasing a new sheet set, I always sew a contrasting-color "X" on the wrong side of the flat sheet. This lets me locate the center of the flat sheet when putting new sheets on a bed. —Barb Hanes, West Monroe, La.

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