Reader home tips abound

Some reader letters I receive are startling and send me running to verify; others bring on laughter.

But mostly, they leave me wondering, “Really? Why didn’t I think of that?!” And while I find these great, remember the words of a former president, who said, “Trust, but verify!”

TIGHT SPACES SOLUTION

When my vacuum cleaner attachments are too large for small tight spaces, I attach a drinking straw to the end of the smallest attachment. I insert about 1/3 of the straw into the attachment and then seal the connection between the two with a piece of tape (masking or duct), making certain to cover any open spaces around the straw. This way, the straw can fit into small tight spaces (like keyboards). — Brandi H., California

SILVER CLEANER

To clean your silver without harsh products, use baking soda. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water and massage it in gently with an old toothbrush. Rinse under warm water, or if the piece is too big, wipe it off with a wet cloth and buff it to a shine with a clean cotton towel. — Angela H., California

CHEAP DRY-ERASE BOARD

We purchased a 4 x 8-foot sheet of white tub paneling. It’s quite lightweight and flexible, works just the same as a whiteboard, and it’s huge! It cost only $25. We did not frame ours and left it in its gigantic size, but you could cut and frame it to any size, of course. — Debbie P., Mississippi

Author Mary Hunt invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com , where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all products and services.