Around the house
* Season new non-stick pans before using. Wash in soapy water, rinse and dry. Wipe interior with unsalted melted shortening or oil before cooking on top of stove.
* Keep unlacquered brass shiny. A weekly wipe with a soft cloth that has been dipped in a small amount of liquid ammonia will help keep fixtures gleaming.
* Need extra counterspace in kitchen? Pull out a cabinet drawer part way and insert a cookie sheet or wooden chopping board.
* Plug up openings around pipes and vents that lead outside with steel wool. This will prevent mice from entering your home.
* When choosing a paint color for a particular room, choose a color one shade lighter than the paint chip because colors are darker when applied to the walls.
* Clean velvet upholstery with a ball of nylon net. The net will remove dust and lint from antique and crushed velvet without distorting the pile of the fabric.
* Rub a small amount of cooking oil inside candleholders. Melted wax that has hardened will slide right out; no more scraping.
* Top a partially filled beverage bottle that is missing its cap with a small balloon. The balloon will fit snugly over any narrow-neck soda or wine bottle and will keep the drink fresh.
* Store sharp knives safely. Flatten cardboard tubes from toilet tissue and paper towels; slide blades inside.
In the garden
* Recycle leaky garden hose. Slit hose lengthwise and cut in sections to use as a grip for hand tools and lawn mower.