Around the house* Spray freshly polished brass accessories...

Around the house

* Spray freshly polished brass accessories with extra-hold hair spray. This will prolong shine and can be washed off easily with soap and water when items need repolishing.

* Fluff and soften air-dried clothes. Set dryer on "air" setting and spin with a fabric softener sheet for about five minutes.

* Soak heavily soiled oven racks in tub with hot water. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of automatic dishwasher detergent over rack. Let sit until grease spots dissolve.

* Pour 1 cup baking soda into sink drain to avoid clogging. Follow with 1 cup cider vinegar and 1 pint boiling water. Repeat once a week.

* When closing packing boxes, extend a length of string beneath masking tape, leaving about 2 inches free at one end. Pull end of string through tape when ready to open.

* Keep kitty out of trouble. Leave open containers of strong-smelling liquids -- such as diluted white vinegar, lemon juice and Tabasco sauce -- in areas that you don't want your cat to inhabit. The odors will discourage cats from off-limits places.

In the garden

* Use a small plastic wastebasket as an inexpensive planter for large plants. The containers come in a variety of colors to suit your decorating scheme.