D
ear Sara:

What are your thoughts on giving secondhand gifts? I see many things my friends and family would like at thrift stores and I’m tempted to give some as gifts, but I’m afraid I’ll appear tacky or cheap. — Paula H., New York

Dear Paula:

It depends on what you’re giving and the person to whom you’re giving the gift. I give secondhand gifts to my immediate family because I know they will enjoy them just the same as brand-new gifts. Sometimes, I couple a secondhand gift with something new. You have to have the same thoughtful consideration when giving gifts, whether they’re secondhand, discounted or expensive. Ask your friends and family their thoughts on it or suggest a secondhand gift exchange.

It’s also helpful to know if they collect anything. Collectors and hobbyists tend to appreciate older items. If you’re buying an older item from a thrift store, estate sale, flea market or antique shop, how would anyone know from which place you actually bought the gift or for what price? And if the item is purchased at a secondhand store, but it’s new and still packaged, they wouldn’t know at all. Keep their hobbies, interests, needs or wants in mind, no matter where you shop.

Dear Sara:

I want to place a mat under the cat litter box, but the ones from the pet shop are too expensive! Do you have any suggestions? — Linda V., email

Dear Linda:

You can use the lid from a box of printer paper. Used car mats or a boot mat will work, too. Another option is using a hooded litter box. Rather than buy one that can run upwards of $30, you can wait for a sale, buy a plastic tote and cut a door entry into it with a utility blade.

Dear Sara:

The good news? We are finally moving out of our fifth wheel trailer. The bad news? We have very little furniture. We have a queen-size mattress (no bed frame) and some odds and ends such as a desk, folding table and lawn chairs. Do you have any cheap or free furniture ideas? — Dawn, forums

Dear Dawn:

Craigslist and Freecycle can be great for furniture, so keep checking them for deals. Don’t overlook your local newspaper’s classified ads, Kijiji.com, FreeSharing.org, SharingIsGiving.org, ReUseItNetwork.org, garage sales, estate sales and thrift stores, too. For example, last week, I found a commercial-grade computer desk for my kids (it offers enough space for both a desktop computer and a laptop) at the thrift store for $25. It would retail for at least $300.

If you’re handy, search online or at the library for furniture plans in books and on DVD. Lowe’s has a platform bed plan available online at
lowescreativeideas.com/idea-library/projects/Platform_Bed_0908.aspx.

You can also look for furniture that serves two purposes, such as a futon or a sleeper sofa. Be sure to put out the word to friends and family, too.

photo by Orin Zebest

D
ear Sara:

How do you store your baking pans and cookie sheets? — Karen, Texas

Dear Karen:

I have a double wall oven with a deep drawer underneath it. I place some in there and I keep others in the lower oven that I don’t use daily. If you don’t have a deep drawer, you can use a tension rod as a divider. Place it front-to-back in the cabinet, and tuck baking pans between the rod and the wall of the cabinet. Or place them vertically (2 per divided section) and slide baking sheets (on their sides) in between each set of tension rods. There are 4-sort dividers available at places such as The Container Store, too.

Dear Sara:

I have an old king-size comforter from my smoking days that I have washed many times but I can still smell cigarette smoke on it. I’ve even aired it outside on occasion, to no avail. The main reason I still have it is in case someone stays over. Should I just toss it, since I can’t seem to get the smell completely out? — Shoiji, New Jersey

Dear Shoiji:

If the only reason you keep it is for guests, then let it go. You could keep it in the trunk of your car for emergencies or donate it. Comforters go on sale often, so you won’t have a hard time replacing it. Smoke smells are very tough to get rid of. At home, you can try a white vinegar and hot water soak before a regular washing. If you really are attached to it, you can have a professional dry cleaner remove the odor with an ozone treatment.

Dear Sara:

Do you have a good cardamom substitute? — Marsha S., Wyoming

Dear Marsha:

There isn’t really a great substitute for it. You can find it cheaper at ethnic stores than at specialty stores. Be sure you know whether you need green, white or black cardamom, too. Green and white are typically used in baked goods, and black is typically used for savory dishes. Some people substitute equal parts ground nutmeg and cinnamon or equal parts ground cloves and cinnamon or nutmeg or cinnamon, but in some recipes, I’d either not make it at all until I bought cardamom or omit the cardamom, rather than trying to make substitutes that will impact the overall taste.

Dear Sara:

I’d like to wash my plastic shower curtain liner without putting it in the washing machine. Any suggestions? — Tina, Ohio

Dear Tina:

You can put it in the tub and hand-scrub and rinse it. You can use a bit of laundry detergent, vinegar and baking soda or a weak bleach and water solution. It works out nicely because your tub gets cleaned at the same time.

photo by NancyHugoCKD

D
ear Sara:

Any tips for wrapping large gift items? — Kelly, Illinois

Dear Kelly:

The dollar stores sell cheap tablecloths. I’d use that to wrap a large gift item. You could make reusable, draw-string fabric gift bags, too. If the recipient is an immediate family member, you could reuse the fabric bags year-to-year; if it’s not for immediate family, the bags can become part of the gift and the recipient can reuse them, too.

Dear Sara:

What kinds of handmade/homemade gifts do you like to receive? — Polly, Pennsylvania

Dear Polly:

I’ve always enjoyed ornaments, homemade soaps and candles, knitted or crocheted scarves, hats and mittens.

Dear Sara:

Can I use Borax in the cat litter to help deodorize? — Hannah D., Ohio

Dear Hannah:

The 20 Mule Team Borax website states that it works well on pet odors, but to keep it out of reach of pets and children. I’ve had readers mention that they put a couple of tablespoons of Borax in the litter box, but I wouldn’t want my cats to inhale it. I am diligent about cleaning the box, so I don’t feel the need to add anything extra to deodorize the litter. I suggest that you ask your veterinarian.

Dear Sara:

Do you have any uses for canned Manwich sauce? — Jill K., email

Dear Jill:

It can be used on meatball or shredded beef sandwiches, in casseroles, meatloaf, chili, dips, tacos, on chicken wings and more. Visit conagrafoods.com for some tasty recipes.

Dear Sara:

I made lemon bars yesterday and made more lemon zest than I needed. Throwing it out seemed like waste. Can lemon zest be frozen? — Valerie, Pennsylvania

Dear Valerie:

Yes, you can freeze lemon zest a few ways. Freeze it like you freeze herbs, by placing it in an ice cube tray and topping it off with water. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer storage bag. To use, thaw and pat with a paper towel. You can freeze lemon “half-shells,” too. Once frozen, remove the zest from the freezer and grate it. Use a micro plane, if you have one. Wrap small individual portions (about 1 tablespoon) in plastic wrap, place inside a freezer bag and use as needed (no need to thaw).

Dear Sara:

I want to surprise my boyfriend with a stocking for Christmas. Do you have any stocking-stuffer ideas? He’s not really into sweets. — Leslie, Illinois

Dear Leslie:

Some general suggestions would be T-shirts, gum, books, magazines, lottery tickets, book light, nail clippers, knife sharpener, razors, gift cards, fruit, gloves, hats, hand warmers, DVDs, wallet, ice scraper, water bottle, key chain or cellphone cover. For more ideas visit: budgetchristmas.com/stocking-stuffer-ideas.html. You might be able to find great last-minute deals if you wait until closer to Christmas Eve.

photo by storebukkebruse

D
ear Sara:

I have made cake in a mug and coffee cup scrambled eggs. Do you have any similar recipes? Love your column in the local newspaper. Keep up the good work. — Carolyn H., email

Dear Carolyn:

Try meatloaf in a mug. Scale down your usual meatloaf recipe by using only 1/4 lb. ground beef and use about 2 tablespoons of milk instead of egg to hold whatever you use to bind the meat (oatmeal, bread, crackers or bread crumbs, for example). Cook in the microwave until the meat is no longer pink, approximately five minutes. I recommend using a meat thermometer. Everyone likes their meatloaf differently, so if you’d like an exact recipe, please visit myrecipes.com/recipe/meatloaf-a-mug-10000001830704/. The recipe uses 1 lb. ground beef and makes four individual servings, which is nice. It calls for an egg and a splash of vegetable juice, too.

Dear Sara:

When you use dishwashing liquid for spots on clothes, do you use hot water? Also, can you use it on a spot that’s been on there for a long time? — Cathy, email

Dear Cathy:

You can use Original blue Dawn dishwashing liquid, Dawn Power Dissolver (spray cleaner) or shampoo to remove grease stains. I have used it on old grease stains on my son’s cotton T-shirts with great results. I use warm or hot water if the fabric allows it.

Dear Sara:

I read your article in the paper about cupcakes and you mentioned attaching balloon ribbon to the liners to make the cupcakes look like a dozen balloons. Where would I find these directions? — Diane J., email

Dear Diane:

You can arrange your baked and frosted cupcakes to resemble a bunch of balloons. Place the cupcakes on a piece of posterboard, which serves as the background, too. Simply tape a 1-foot length of curling ribbon to the bottom of each cupcake liner. Then gather and tie all of the ribbons at the end using a wide ribbon and a separate bow, which makes it easier to untie and serve each guest. For large numbers of cupcakes, it’s not necessary to attach a piece of ribbon to each cupcake. You can simply add ribbon to a few toward the bottom and it will still look like a bunch of balloons.

Dear Sara:

I know a person who is selling three Wagner cast-iron skillets and a Dutch oven for $100. Is this a good deal, or should I look elsewhere? — Linda, West Virginia

Dear Linda:

It depends on what you want. Typically, if the cost for a used set is less than you would pay for brand new, it’s a decent deal. With patience and a bit of luck, you can piece together a great set of cast-iron pans from flea markets or garage and estate sales. It’s not impossible to find good deals on new cast-iron sets; in fact, Tractor Supply Company had a set on sale for $49.99 recently. Finding vintage Wagner ware is a bit more difficult. Not all cast iron is made equally, so take that into consideration before you make a purchase. There are a lot of cast-iron fans out there. I prefer stainless steel or my Le Creuset ware (enameled cast iron) and don’t think I’d use cast-iron skillets daily.

photo by Alancleaver_2000

D
ear Sara:

Do you wash bagged lettuce? At a recent dinner, the host poured lettuce from a bag and served it with salad dressing. Is this normal practice, or should people be concerned about the possibility of germs or worse? — Shoiji, email

Dear Shoiji:

I wash bagged lettuce, not really from fear of germs, but because I find bagged salad has a smell and taste that I don’t like unless I wash the lettuce. Plus, washing will remove any small amounts of dirt or the occasional bug that might be remaining. Washing, spinning and drying makes me feel like the produce has been freshened up, too.
Consumer Reports recommends washing bagged salads:
consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2010/march/recalls-and-safety-alerts/bagged-salad/index.htm. Make sure your hands and your work surface are clean to avoid cross contamination.
Overall, I prefer buying my produce from the bin and mixing my own salads.

Dear Sara:

Do you let your kids eat all of their Halloween candy? If not, what do you do with it? How long do you let it hang around before getting rid of it? — Jennifer, Ohio

Dear Jennifer:

I let my kids have a few pieces the first night, roughly the equivalent of a full-sized candy bar or small box of candy. The next day, I will put a piece in their lunchbox as a treat or let them have a piece or two after dinner. I save some of it for later (sometimes to use in baked goods) and send some to work with my husband. Candy has a pretty long shelf-life, so I have no problem with it hanging around for six months to a year. Some of it can be frozen, too. Visit frugalvillage.com/2010/11/03/use-up-halloween-candy/ for more ideas.

Dear Sara:

Are clay cookers really good for making artisan breads? Could I cook a duck in one? — Sindi, New Jersey

Dear Sindi:

Only some bread shapes work well for a clay cooker (baker). You can make artisan breads without one. Simply hand-shape your loaves and use parchment-lined baking sheets, a baking stone or shaped baking pans. Clay cookers are wonderful for roasts and poultry (including duck and Cornish hen). They can be used to steam vegetables, poach fish or make soups, casseroles and lasagna, too. Make sure you soak the clay cooker, don’t preheat your oven and don’t set a hot cooker on a cold surface, or it could crack.

To use one for bread, you could make a homemade cloche with a clay pot, eye hook/bolt, washer, hex nuts and a pizza stone as the base. Visit flavorsoftheumpqua.blogspot.com/2009/01/homemade-clay-pot-cloche-for-baking.html for a photo and description of how to make one. This would allow you to see if you like the resulting bread without a bigger investment in a clay baker. The benefit of using the clay cooker is the steam that is created. The bread crust will be golden without having to spritz it.

photo by paulswansen

D
ear Sara:

While on vacation I saw a lady with a rectangular type of flat bread, which she claimed was lower in fat and healthier than regular tortillas. Do you know what this might be? Do you know of any other frugal, healthy alternative to tortillas? — Jean, Canada

Dear Jean:

There are low-carb tortillas. You can make your own, and you don’t even have to use oil — you only need masa harina and water. A tortilla press makes the job easier, but you don’t have to have one. Visit simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_make_corn_tortillas/ for a tutorial. You might consider buying or making pita bread (wheat is an option), lavash (Middle Eastern bread) or naan (Indian flat bread). Depending on the contents, you can use lettuce to make lettuce wraps, as well.

Dear Sara:

How do I remove nail polish from a pair of cotton jeans? — Lisa P., Ohio

Dear Lisa:

You can use Off bug spray (aerosol). Simply place a cloth underneath the stain to catch anything that might bleed through. Saturate the stained area, then rub with a cloth or toothbrush. Repeat as the stain lifts and then launder as usual. If there’s still a bit of stain remaining, don’t place the jeans in the dryer. Try spraying hairspray onto the stained area and launder again. You can try pure acetone, too. I suggest purposely staining a piece of cotton fabric and testing stain-removing methods before attempting the jeans. This will allow you to use the least amount of chemicals on your jeans.

Dear Sara:

How do I freeze turnips? — Laurie H., email

Dear Laurie:

Wash, peel and cut the turnips into roughly 1/2-inch cubes. Boil water and blanch the cubes for two minutes. Don’t overcook them. After they’ve been blanched, plunge them into a bowl of ice water. Allow them to cool, then place them in freezer storage bags. You can cook them entirely, mash and freeze them, too. Consume within six months.

Dear Sara:

I just bought three half-gallons of almond milk. Can I freeze it? — Sindi, forums

Dear Sindi:

Almond milk has quite a long shelf-life, so you might not need to freeze it. Oftentimes, manufacturers discourage freezing it because the milk separates and it doesn’t have an appealing appearance when frozen and thawed. In fact, it’s very unsightly. But that doesn’t mean you can’t freeze it and use it. Freeze the milk in an ice-cube tray, then transfer to freezer storage bags. Use as needed and see if you like it frozen and thawed. You can shake it in a spare container or use a blender to blend it back together. It can be frozen in its original container, too. I recommend removing some milk to create about 1-1/2 inches of space in the container so it doesn’t explode in the freezer when it expands.

photo by LizMarie_Ak

D
ear Sara:

I’ve been hearing about how vinyl shower curtains contain the “no-no” PVC as well as other not-so-nice chemicals. The recommendation is to replace them with cloth shower curtains. My first thought is that cloth is not waterproof, so I’m imagining water all over my bathroom floor. Would cloth block water like the vinyl ones? — Lilly, Illinois

Dear Lilly:

The decorative fabric curtains that are draped on the outside of the tub/shower and are often used with a waterproof vinyl liner are not the same thing as cloth shower curtains, which repel water quite nicely. I simply tuck my cloth shower curtain inside the tub when showering and it keeps the water inside, just like a plastic/vinyl liner. You can hang it alone or pair it with a decorative curtain. The material is lightweight and dries quickly. You can wash it in your washing machine, too. Cloth shower curtains come in cotton, polyester or a combination of both. One of mine is a Canopy brand polyester curtain that retails for less than $20.

Dear Sara:

I have a ton of mint from my own mint plant and I don’t know what to do with it. Besides tea, mojitos and mint jelly for lamb, what other foods make good use of mint? I’d prefer to use it fresh versus dried, but I’ll be drying it out and keeping it in a food storage bag as a last resort. — Libby, Canada

Dear Libby:

Add some to lemonade, iced tea, potatoes, cooked carrots, chocolate mousse or pudding, hot cocoa, ice cream, milkshakes, cakes, cookies or brownies. You can dry them and make mint sachets, too. For mint julep recipes, visit www.frugalvillage.com/forums/kitchen-basics/36952-2-versions-mint-julep-kentucky-derby-tomorrow.html.

Dear Sara:

How do I remove tar from jeans? — Linda H., New York

Dear Linda:

Apply ice and scrape off as much as possible. You can use your fingernail, a toothpick, or a dull knife to scrape. Apply oil (such as olive, baby or vegetable oil) or WD-40 to the stained area with a cloth and blot, then scrub to lift away the sticky tar. Finally, launder as usual.

Dear Sara:

I’ve seen chocolate on plastic spoons that that can be stirred into beverages such as coffee, tea or cider. Any ideas for how to make them? — C.B., forums

Dear C.B.:

I use plastic spoons and Wilton chocolate wafer candy melts. Melt the chocolate wafers in the microwave as per the directions on the package. Dip the spoons to coat them in the melted chocolate, then place them on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper. You can add decorations such as sprinkles, mini marshmallows, crushed candy canes or cookies by dipping the coated spoons in them before the chocolate hardens. I place the spoons in the freezer to harden, then I repackage them in plastic storage bags and leave them in the freezer until ready to use. If I am gifting them, I transfer them from the storage bags to a cellophane wrapper tied with curling ribbon. Visit www.giverslog.com/?p=3290 for a tutorial for using molds and popsicle sticks to make hot chocolate on a stick, which is another option.

photo by Nieve44/La Luz

D
ear Sara:

Can cooked rice be frozen? — Kelly H., New York

Dear Kelly:

Yes, you can freeze rice. I let cooked rice cool, then I package it in freezer storage bags. I flatten the bag (leaving rice in a layer about 3/4-inch thick) and squeeze out any air. To reheat, I use my microwave, or a fry pan if I am making fried rice.

Dear Sara:

Any ideas for homemade pumpkin puree, other than pumpkin bread? — Marion J., Ohio

Dear Marion:

Pumpkin puree can be used in spaghetti sauce, chili, mashed potatoes, muffins, applesauce, oatmeal, waffles, cakes, cookies, pudding, pumpkin butter or pancakes, to name a few. On a similar note, be sure to use cheesecloth to drain your fresh pumpkin puree before using it in some recipes. It’s more watery than solid packed pumpkin from the can.

Dear Sara:

What do you serve for Thanksgiving? — Dawn M., Illinois

Dear Dawn:

I have always served a fairly traditional Thanksgiving meal. I often consider bucking tradition and serving something completely different, but I never do, for fear of messing up a good thing.
My meal typically includes turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing (in some years cornbread), butternut squash or stuffed dumpling squash, sweet potatoes, gravy, dinner rolls, candied carrots, asparagus or green beans and homemade cranberry sauce (my kids love watching the fresh cranberries pop). I set out appetizers such as cheeses, summer sausage and deli meats, deviled eggs, crackers, raw veggies, cut fruits, assorted nuts, etc. Dessert is usually apple pie (sometimes pumpkin with whipped topping) and vanilla ice cream.
I usually find a good sale on turkey and buy two or three, repeating the same menu for Christmas with a few variations and additions.
My husband and I have lost 30 and 20 pounds respectively by switching to a plant-based diet. Since my kids are not on the same diet, I’ll probably make the traditional Thanksgiving meal and simply keep my eyes open for any new vegan dishes to surprise my husband. I’m open to suggestions from readers!

Dear Sara:

I need a hot drink recommendation for a November party. I don’t mind if the recipe contains alcohol. Any suggestions? — Linda H., Pennsylvania

Dear Linda:

Make winter punch or spiced cider:

Winter punch
4 cups cranberry juice
2 cups orange juice
1 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
cinnamon sticks, for garnish

Mix together all the ingredients and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Warm in a slow cooker. Serve with a cinnamon stick in each mug. — Ellise, South Carolina

Slow-cooker cider
2 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1 teaspoon whole allspice
2 quarts apple cider
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 orange, sliced

Place the cinnamon, cloves and allspice in a double thickness of cheesecloth. Tie with a string to form a bag. Place cider and brown sugar in the slow cooker and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the spice bag and place the orange slices on top. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours. Remove the spice bag before serving. You can adjust ingredients to desired taste. — Kim, Florida

photo by janineomg

D
ear Sara:

How can I clean down pillows without taking them to the dry cleaner? — Jaime, New Jersey

Dear Jaime:

Fluff down pillows daily. Every few weeks, air them near a window or outside. Keep a cover on your pillows, or doublecase them for extra protection. Consider using the laundromat to wash and dry them, but they can also be washed in your home washing machine, if you use great care. Be sure to check your pillows for rips or tears before placing in the washer. Use hot water in the gentle or delicate cycle. Don’t wash more than two pillows at a time. If the load isn’t balanced, add a couple of towels. Run them through the rinse cycle twice. They can be dried in your dryer, too. Running them with a few tennis balls will be loud, but the balls will help prevent lumps. Stop the dryer halfway through the cycle and fluff your pillows, then continue to dry them. Be sure the down is dry before use.

Dear Sara:

It seems whenever something I need is on sale, someone has cleaned out the entire inventory within the first hour of the store opening. Any suggestions for getting to great deals before they’re gone? — Tanya N., Texas

Dear Tanya:

I haven’t experienced this very often, but I understand with the popularity of extreme couponing, more people are using coupons. Each store creates its own policies and limitations on sale items. While I’m not the kind of shopper who would clear an entire shelf of sale items, you can’t really blame someone if they are following the store’s policies. There is also the possibility that the store didn’t receive a lot of the item on sale in the first place. If you miss out on a sale, many stores offer rain checks. Another option is to take the sale ad to a store that does price matching.

Dear Sara:

I want to convince my husband that shopping at the thrift store isn’t gross, or a sign that he’s not a good provider. Can you tell me about any recent thrift store deals? — Karen, Illinois

Dear Karen:

Tell your husband that you want to make the most of the money he makes. You can let him know that you enjoy shopping there and that it doesn’t make much sense to pay more money than you have to. My latest find was a Land’s End wool peacoat. Retail price for a brand new one is $190, but I got a gently used one for $5. My local thrift store just had a sale on kids clothing in which all items were $.49. My family’s wardrobes are a mix of brand new and secondhand clothing.

Dear Sara:

I picked up a suede coat for my daughter at the thrift store. Unfortunately, it had an old piece of masking tape stuck on the front of it. When I removed the tape, there was some adhesive still stuck on the coat and the suede is discolored. Is there any way to remove this? — Lauren, Pennsylvania

Dear Lauren:

Adhesives will often come off with gentle rubbing using a pink eraser. I’ve been successful removing sticker adhesive from suede by soaking the area with vinegar, rubbing gently with an emery board, then applying laundry detergent directly to the area and rubbing the sticky area with another section of the suede coat. Pop the jacket into the washing machine and wash as usual.

photo by arboresce

D
ear Sara:

We’ve just started adding leftover hot cereal to our bread. I’ve also added it to soups and stews. Am I missing any other great ideas here? — Judi, New England

Dear Judi:

You can add it to meatloaf, meatballs, muffins, cookies or quick bread. One of my readers, Adriana, shares: “I have made muffins with leftover Cream of Wheat. I followed a basic muffin recipe but beat in a cup of cooked Cream of Wheat with the milk. I then added the dry ingredients in the usual manner. Any recipe that calls for cornmeal can have Cream of Wheat substituted. I’ve also added leftover Cream of Wheat to a basic waffle recipe, again mixing it with the wet ingredients.”
Also, if you go to the manufacturer’s website (www.bgfoods.com/creamofwheat/), you’ll find some recipes that use cooked and uncooked Cream of Wheat.

Dear Sara:

Can you make potato cakes out of mashed potato without flour? — Dawn, Arkansas

Dear Dawn:

Yes. Simply add an egg to 2 cups mashed potatoes, form into patties and fry in a pan with a little oil. You can add meat, seasoned breadcrumbs, cheese or onion for extra flavor.

Dear Sara:

I need to make a craft (several of the same craft item) for a fundraiser at an elementary school. Any ideas? — Nikki, Illinois

Dear Nikki:

Here’s an idea that will appeal to girl students or parents who have girls to shop for: Make ribbon-woven headbands. You can find the supplies and a tutorial at www.hair-hardware.com. You can make them in various color combinations. Sports teams or school colors would be a nice addition, too.

Dear Sara:

I once read about a do-it-yourself drain cleaner, but I forgot what the ingredients were and the quantities of each. — Ruth J., Missouri

Dear Ruth:

Many people use baking soda, vinegar and boiling water for drain cleaning. Pour 1/4 cup baking soda down the drain. Follow with 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar and plug the drain until the fizzing stops. Pour one gallon of boiling water down the drain to flush out the clog. One of my readers, Brenda from the Midwest, shares: “I run vinegar in my coffeemaker every month or so to clean it. While it is running through the coffeemaker, I place a cup of baking soda in my kitchen sink. Once the vinegar has run through my coffeemaker, I pour it over the baking soda, which bubbles up and cleans the drain. Run several pots of hot water through the coffeemker to rinse it, then pour the pots down the drain to rinse the vinegar and baking soda.”

Dear Sara:

I just bought new slippers and they already have an unpleasant smell. Do you have suggestions to remove the smell without putting them in the washing machine? — M.T., forums

Dear M.T.:

You can try a few different methods to get rid of odor. Use crumpled newspaper or baking soda inside the shoes, or pour kitty litter or cedar chips into a spare sock or section of pantyhose and place that in the shoes. Put the slippers outside to dry out any moisture. There’s no harm in cleaning them by hand in the sink using a wash cloth, water and laundry detergent. If you’re afraid of immersing them in water, use a wet wash cloth. Let them air dry outside. You can spritz them with Lysol spray, rubbing alcohol, or vinegar, too. Wash your feet and make sure they are dry (you could even apply foot powder or spray) before wearing your slippers.

photo by bibliobird