THURSDAY TIPS

* “Put a family calendar inside your kitchen cabinet to keep everyone on track. You can list important dates/obligations/appointments there. We color code ours by using different highlighters for each person, and we keep it inside the cabinet by the coffeemaker, so Mom always looks at it.”

– W.S. in Ohio

* “If you fill a small spray bottle with alcohol, you can use it to clean your glasses. Use a soft cloth, not a paper towel, as those leave lots of lint behind.”

– D.P. in Texas

* Combine a few drops of essential oils with a cup of either baking soda or cornstarch. Sprinkle liberally on bare mattresses. Let sit 1015 minutes, then vacuum up. It’s particularly nice to use lavender.

* If you don’t regularly clean out your dryer vents, now’s the time to put it on your cleaning schedule. Every six months at a minimum, but every three is better. Remove the dryer vent hose and shake out to remove sand or dirt, then run a vent brush to loosen stuck-on lint. Use the wand attachment or a shop vac to clean the dryer itself, and don’t forget to wipe down the inside drum with a damp cloth. Don’t risk a dryer fire!

* “Need to chop nuts? Place them in a bag, and crush them with a cookie sheet. Just rock back and forth over the sealed bag. This really works, and it’s kind of fun, too.”

– Y.L. in Florida

* Use aluminum foil to line a small metal tray (like the kind that goes in a toaster oven), which can then be used on the grill. If I simmer onions in broth to go with my steak, this works really well because it doesn’t burn. The little pans are just the right size! -- C.C. in Oregon

Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.