THURSDAY TIPS

* “Loosen a stuck ring by putting a little bit of butter on your finger to help it slide.”

— D.F. in West Virginia

* If you’ve gone up or down a size, please consider donating your suits or dress clothes to the organization Dress for Success. It gives businesswear for interviews to women who could not otherwise afford it, helping them to look the part so that they can get the part!

* DIY Hand Pampering: Mix together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1/5 cup milk, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup honey. Soak hands in mixture for 2 minutes, then rinse and dry hands.

* How to pack a suitcase: Roll pants and tops, adding to suitcase first, toward the handle side. Then add heavy items (shoes, boots) toward the wheel end. Make sure you choose the right size case for the trip; too much room will cause items to shift around. You can always throw in a light jacket if you have the space.

* In a pinch, you can use toothpaste to scrub your faucet in the bathroom.

* Got unexpected company? For a quick, clean look, vacuum the floors and take care of these four things: the bathroom, dishes in the sink, piles of junk on tables or counters and an overflowing trash can. Your house will look great.

* Most people wash their sheets, and some people fluff and air out their pillow. But how many properly clean their mattress? Vacuum the mattress surface at least every three months. Sprinkle with baking soda to absorb any odors.

* “I use my panini press to make hash browns because I like them nice and crispy on both sides. It works out great!”

— L.R. in Florida

* If you’re adding fruit to muffins or quick breads, just make sure you toss them in flour first. It will keep them from sinking to the bottom, distributing them more evenly throughout the bread.

* Need more storage in a small bathroom? Try installing a shelf over the door. It’s an out of the way area where you can store items you don’t need daily, but do need accessible.

* Use a serrated knife to cut the dome tops off of cake layers, then put them in the freezer for 30 minutes. It will make it easier to frost, and you’ll get less crumbs that come up.

* “I often get up during the night to take medicine to help me sleep better. It’s hard to see and line up the marks to open the container. So I got a permanent black marker and highlighted them (I even made them larger). Now it’s easy to line them up in the dark.”

— D.E. in California