Clean up your act

Over the years (I say that like I'm a grown up), I've collected little tidbits here and there on how to take care of stubborn cleaning problems around the house. My mom, Martha, little old ladies in the grocery store...everyone has helpful hints.

So for the past few days I've been jotting down notes to share, and here are some of the tips I came up with.

Stinky garbage disposal? Throw peels from your lemon, lime or orange in it. Stinkiness gone!

Smelly bathroom sink or other drain? Turn faucet to the hottest it will go and let it run for a few minutes. Turn off the tap and pour vinegar down the drain.

Fur on your bed, couch, upholstered furniture? Brush it off with your pet's brush. It beats those sticky lint rollers any day and is so much cheaper.

Got a dirty dishwasher or coffee maker? Fill the resevoir with vinegar and run a cycle/brew.

The best way to clean up the stray threads in your sewing room? Wrap masking tape around your hand (sticky side out, silly!) and blot all around. Same goes for Christmas tree needles.

Lint or streaks left behind when you Windex your windows or coffee table? (Yes, Windex is a verb.) Instead of a paper towel or cloth, use newspaper. Really.

Coffee and tea stains forever lingering on your mugs? Make a solution of 1 part baking soda to 2 parts water and soak overnight.

Plastic containers stained from the spaghetti leftovers you stored in them? Rub lemon juice all over the stains and let the containers sit out in the sun to dry.

Are your pinking shears killing your hands and impossible to use? Cut up a sheet of wax paper. It'll get them cutting smoothly again.

And do you remember my rust stain? That's another good one to keep in mind.

Now tell me about your favorite tricks.