A green way to ship those Christmas gifts

Instead of using styrofoam peanuts use non-buttered popcorn to fill the spaces in your shipping box. Add a note in the box to the recipient that the popcorn is safe for the birds to eat.

Sharpen your paper shredder blades

Take two pieces of aluminum foil 8 1/2" x 11" and run them through your shredder one at a time. This should sharpen the blades quite well.

Create a scented fire in your fireplace

Place the rinds of an orange or a lemon on a paper towel and let it dry out overnight. When the rinds are thoroughly dry you can put them on the fire to get a wonderful citrus sent. If you don't like the citrus sent, toss a few pine cones on the fire for a woodsy smell.

Traveler's tip

The lost and found at most hotels is a great resource for cell phone users. The number one item left behind by guests is cell phone recharging cords. If you forget yours or lose it chances are good the hotel will have one that works on your phone. They may not give it to you, but will let you use it while you are there.

Storage tip for paint brushes and rollers

Do not lay those brushes and rollers down when in storage – it can deform and damage the bristles and nap. Those holes in the brush handle are there so the brush can be hung up. Put the roller back on the roller frame and hang it up.

Cleaning Water – based paint from a brush &/or roller

In a five gallon bucket add ½ cup of fabric softener for every gallon of warm water. The fabric softener helps dissolve the paint. Swish the brush for 10 to 15 seconds and the roller for 30 seconds. Don’t use dish soap – it gums up the ferrule and bristles. Also, don’t rinse the fabric softener off in fresh water - the softener leaves a coat which will allow the paint to flow effortlessly off the tool. For long jobs, clean your brush every two hours. Rub tool dry with a towel.

Removing red wine

Open another bottle – a bottle of white that is. Quickly blot off the red wine with a paper towel, then neutralize it with the white wine. Finish by whiping it clean with a cold damp cloth. If you are out of white wine work some table salt or baking soda into the stain and dab it off with club soda.

Travel tip for High-Tech gear

Place a sticker with your contact information on any high-tech or electronic gear you are traveling with. If you lose it and are lucky enough to have an honest person find it, that person can get in touch with you to arrange its return.

Removing scuff marks on shoes

Prepare a paste using 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of water. Using a clean cloth to apply the paste, wipe off the scuff marks. You can also use a gum eraser (found in stationary and art-supply stores).

Toilet tank maintenance

The flush valve and ballcock in the tank receive a lot of wear and tear. To prolong the replacement of these parts, pour ½ of a 1-pound box of baking soda in the tank once a month at bedtime. When you flush the next morning the tank - and bowl too – should be nice and clean. You can also drop a couple of denture cleansing tablets in the tank and flush in one hour.

Maintaining a clothes washer

Detergent residue builds up in your washer and prevents it from doing its best. At the start of each month run your machine without laundry and a cup of distilled vinegar to clean out the residue.