Unsafe Ladders

Ladder accidents lead to 164,000 emergency room visits in the United States each year, according to the World Health Organization. Whether you’re cleaning out the gutters or dusting the tops of your kitchen cabinets, following proper ladder safety practices is essential during spring cleaning. Make sure the ladder is set up on an even surface and that the spreaders are locked before mounting it. It’s also prudent to have a spotter there to steady the ladder and lend a hand if necessary.

Mixing Chemicals

There are many commonly-used household cleaning ingredients that don’t play well together. Bleach, for example, is notoriously tricky to pair with other substances. A dangerous reaction can occur if bleach is inadvertently mixed with vinegar , ammonia, or rubbing alcohol. Unless you’re willing to carefully read and interpret the ingredient lists on all your products, it’s best to avoid mixing any two together.

Using Dirty Cleaning Tools

Clean tools are essential during spring cleaning, so it’s important to ensure sponges, brushes, and rags are washed or sanitized before getting started. Using a dirty sponge, for example, can spread bacteria around rather than eliminating it. When spending a whole day cleaning, cloths and sponges should be sanitized or replaced regularly to avoid spreading germs from room to room, so consider swapping out tools as you work.

Not Wearing Protective Equipment

Many commercially produced cleaning products contain strong chemicals that shouldn’t come into contact with your skin. Even when using homemade or natural products, however, it’s smart to wear protective gloves to avoid drying out your hands. It’s also recommended to wear a mask when working in dusty areas or cleaning with harsh cleaning products to prevent respiratory problems.

Storing Cleaning Products in Unsuitable Locations

Keeping cleaning products away from children and pets is paramount, so it’s important to avoid storing them in low cabinets or out in the open where they may inadvertently be spilled or ingested. Be sure to keep chemical cleaners out of reach of little ones in a garage or upper shelf in order to avoid accidents.

Using a Dirty Vacuum

A vacuum is designed to suck up dirt, dust, and other debris from your home’s floors, but the bristles can end up housing dangerous bacteria. A study by the University of Arizona found that vacuum brushes contained traces of mold, E. coli and even feces—yuck! A vacuum should be disassembled and deep cleaned annually, but it’s also important to clean the filters on a monthly basis and the bristles after every few uses.

Unsafe Lifting Techniques

Muscle strains, disc injuries, and joint pain can all result from unsafe lifting. Whether you’re moving furniture, ladders, or cleaning equipment, practicing proper lifting techniques is key. It’s important to stretch before doing any heavy lifting and to bend your knees to avoid putting undue pressure on the back. Also, don’t attempt to do a job alone if it requires an extra set of hands.

Carelessly Cleaning Animal Droppings

All kinds of critters can take refuge in your basement, attic, or yard over the winter, and it’s important to be careful when cleaning up the messes they leave behind. Racoon and mouse droppings are particularly dangerous because they could harbor Baylisascaris procyonis or hantavirus, respectively. Be sure to wear equipment like gloves, a mask, and protective eyewear when removing animal feces from your home or yard.

Disposing of Cleaning Products Incorrectly

Be sure to check the labels on your cleaning products for how they should be disposed of. Many cleaning wipes, for example, can cause clogs if they’re flushed down the toilet. Some cleaning products may be considered hazardous waste and shouldn’t be placed in the trash. Instead, contact your municipality to verify the best way to dispose of these products.

Improper Ventilation

While it’s always best to use the most natural cleaners available, some jobs require more serious chemicals. Opening the windows not only instantly makes a home feel fresher and cleaner, but proper ventilation also prevents you from breathing in the fumes of chemical cleaning products. Keep the windows open as much as possible during spring cleaning and use fans to increase ventilation even further.

Carrots

Never bother starting carrots indoors. Because of their long taproot, they hate being transplanted. You can transfer them outside, but the process is tedious and there’s a good chance you’ll end up with misshapen carrots. It’s a lot easier to direct seed these Vitamin A-packed veggies and thin them out as needed.

When to direct seed carrots: A few weeks before your last frost date

Beets

While beets transplant more easily than carrots, you’re better off dedicating your indoor space to tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and other nightshades. Beets are easier to transplant once they’re established, but novice gardeners will likely have better luck direct sowing them.

When to direct seed beets: Sow them about a month before the last frost.

Squash

Squash is one of those vegetables that grows remarkably quickly and produces a lot in a short amount of time. The other thing about squash is that it is a bit of a wildcard in terms of transplanting: Everything could turn out for the best, but there’s also a high risk that the stress of being transplanted will weaken the plant and make it susceptible to pests and disease.

When to direct seed squash: When there’s zero risk of frost.

Zinnias

These pretty and prolific annual flowers add a burst of color and vibrance to the garden. They are ultra-easy to grow from seed and bloom all summer long, and often well into the fall. It’s better to direct sow zinnias right where you want them because they don’t like having their roots disturbed.

When to direct seed zinnias: After the last frost date for your USDA zone.

Radishes

You could technically start radishes indoors, but they grow so quickly that it’s a lot more convenient to sow them in place. Transplanting them can disturb the roots and prolong the growing process, so direct seed them is a good idea. After all, half the fun of planting radishes is harvesting them before anything else in the garden.

When to direct seed radishes: About 3 to 6 weeks before the last frost date.

Turnips

It should come as no surprise that these root vegetables are on this “do not start inside” list. Root veggies don’t like to be transplanted, and moving them disturbs the roots, stresses the plant, and slows growth. Rutabaga is the one exception to this rule: Because this root veg takes so long to mature, gardeners in cooler regions may need to start seedlings well before the spring.

When to direct seed turnips: A few weeks before the last frost

Peas and Beans

Peas do really well sown directly in the garden. In many cool climates, they’re the first thing gardeners plant outside in the spring. Starting them early won’t save you too much time. Beans don’t like to be moved because the small roots tend to break during the transplanting process. Make sure to sow them where they’ll remain until they’re harvested.

When to direct seed peas: In the spring, as soon as the soil can be worked.
When to direct seed beans: About a week or two after the last frost date for your zone

Poppies

Hiding Keys Outside

Many people hide a house key somewhere in the yard. That’s great if someone is taking care of your home or if you accidentally lock yourself out. Unfortunately, most home owners “hide” their key in obvious spots where a burglar will look immediately. Don’t just put that key under the welcome mat!

The further from the house a key is hidden, the better. A disguised item, such as a fake rock, is only useful if hidden among similar items, like actual rocks. Don’t make it easy for a criminal!

Bushes Too Close to the Home

Much like a fence, your choices in landscaping can make your home more or less friendly to those with ill intentions. Bushes and trees up against the side of the home provide cover in the same way that a privacy fence might. Correct this mistake by maintaining low height or thin-growing shrubs next to the home, and keep the taller, denser plants more distant.

You don’t have to give up all your plants, just give a little more thought to where they’re placed. Taller or more dense shrubs and bushes are fine against solid walls as long as windows and doors aren’t obscured.

A Better Home Security Solution Than Static Lights

Many homeowners first respond to home security needs by installing outdoor lighting. They turn on the lights at the end of the day, or maybe install a timer or light sensor so that the lights come on automatically at night. While those fixtures do light up your yard, they also creates dense pockets of shadows that make great hiding spots.

You can find a much better solution in motion sensors. You still have the illumination, but they may surprise someone prowling around the home, and surprises scare most intruders away. Plus, the sudden change can attract attention. Motion sensors save energy, leading to lower electric bills and longer-lasting light bulbs.

Alarm System Line of Sight

Alarm systems are wonderful tools, but sometimes the installation crews don’t guide customers enough during installation. Too often, crews install the control pad where it can be seen from a first floor window. That allows potential thieves to peer in and see whether the system is activated. That alarm company yard sign won’t mean much if they know the system is off — particularly at night when the green or red status light shines like a beacon in a darkened home.

Mail Pileups Undermine Home Security Measures

Few things advertise an absent homeowner like piled-up mail and newspapers. Criminals don’t even need to slow down their vehicle to spot an overflowing mailbox or newspapers scattered on a porch.

To avoid this, contact your local post office and/or newspaper to suspend service while away. Because these services sometimes miss a day or take a little bit of time to cease delivery, it’s also a good idea to ask a friend or neighbor to swing by and collect any mail or newspapers that accumulate.

A little activity around the front of the home also helps to make it look occupied. It’s also a good idea to protect your mail with a security mailbox

Don’t Sleep on Daytime Risk

Most people associate break-ins with the nighttime. While burglars do appreciate the cover of darkness, what they really appreciate is an empty house. At night, people usually hang around home. Instead, burglars find homes more inviting with everyone at school and work!

Since most break-ins occur during the day, take the appropriate measures. Turn on your alarm system when you’re gone, keep an eye out for suspicious activity and make sure you close and lock all doors and windows. This applies when you go to work, school or just out to run errands.

Visible Valuables Jeopardize Home Security

Besides measures outside your home, give some thought to what can be seen inside your home, as well. Many home owners forget that windows create a two-way portal: Just as you can see out of them, a potential intruder can see in.

If you have especially valuable items, consider whether they can be seen from a ground-floor window, such as first-floor bedrooms where jewelry or other valuable items may reside on dressers. Some large items like televisions present difficult home-security positioning issues. In that case, pull the shades or shut the blinds each evening.

Packaging Left by the Curb

Many neighborhoods employ curbside trash and recycling collection. Don’t just leave packaging from an expensive item such as a television or laptop by the curb. That broadcasts the presence of an expensive new item in the home.

Resolve the issue simply: Use a utility knife to cut the packaging into smaller pieces and stack them in a way that doesn’t display what they once held. (Bonus tip: When you’ve dulled that utility blade)

Vacuuming and carpet cleaning might top your list of most dreaded chores, but consider yourself lucky, 21st-century homeowner. Our forebears could hardly conceive of robotic vacuum cleaners and would have marveled at upright vacuums that glide effortlessly across the floor.

Today’s carpet cleaning machines are easily accessible and far less clunky, and professional carpet cleaning companies have the process down to a science. But there may be instances when you want to forego a machine altogether. Maybe you need to clean your carpet immediately, want to save some cash or would just like to give it a go to see if you can do it. Carpet cleaning requires patience and an attentive technique.

The basic rules to cleaning carpet without a machine are:

• Use cleaner or soaps sparingly;
• Rinse away any solution used during the cleaning process;
• Ensure the carpet is adequately dried. Trapped moisture may lead to mold or mildew problems or a damaged subfloor.

Spot Cleaning Carpets Without a Machine

If you’re lucky, you might just need a little spot cleaning here and there. For small and recent carpet stains, Two Maids & A Mop Director of Franchise Operations Lauren Bowen recommends a simple DIY method. “Fill a spray bottle with 1/4 cup white vinegar, one tablespoon dish soap and water,” Bowen says. “Spray the stain generously and then blot it consistently with a clean towel until the stain is removed.”

When using a carpet cleaning solution or soap, be sure to rinse lightly with clean water to remove any remaining suds, then follow up with thorough drying.

Keep these tips in mind:

• Treating stains as they happen, or when you start to notice discoloration, is important. Cleaning and organizing expert Michelle Hansen, owner of Practical Perfection, recommends Folex Carpet Spot Remover for stain treatment.
• Always test cleaning products and solutions, whether homemade or purchased, to make sure your carpet is colorfast. Do the test in a small, inconspicuous area and let it dry before you dive in, says Craig Gjelsten, vice president of operations for Rainbow International Restoration, a Neighborly company.

• As you clean those spots, you might be tempted to add a little elbow grease. Don’t. Light blotting is better than heavy-duty rubbing. “Rubbing a stain could cause it to spread or soak deeper into the carpet fibers or fabric,” says Leanne Stapf, chief operating officer of The Cleaning Authority. “This makes lifting the stain more difficult. Instead, you should blot a stain with either a paper towel or washcloth. This will soak up any remaining liquid as opposed to scrubbing it deeper into the fabric.”

Diana Rodriguez-Zaba, president of ServiceMaster by Zaba, a certified carpet cleaning company, recommends using baking soda, carpet shampoo, water and towels. The method takes lots of towels, so you may want to ask a friend or family member if they have some old towels you can borrow.

1. Start by sprinkling baking soda over the carpet and vacuum thoroughly to remove loose debris. (The baking soda also works to remove odors.)
2. Add two drops of carpet shampoo and warm water to a clean spray bottle. Spray the mixture over the carpet, taking care not to saturate the fibers.
3. Brush over the carpet with a carpet brush to remove any trapped dirt.
4. Blot the area with dry towels to remove as much moisture as possible.
5. Then fill a clean spray bottle with fresh water and spray the same area.
6. Use another set of dry towels to blot and lift the remaining moisture.
7. Finish your cleaning by going over the carpet with a carpet grooming brush. Rodriguez-Zaba recommends this rake-like grooming brush, which can be used on cut-pile carpets. (Don’t use this tool on loop-pile carpets.)

Keep these tips in mind:

• Choose a day when you can open your windows, which will help speed the drying process.
• Before your start cleaning, move furniture and anything else that rests on the carpet.
• Start in a far corner of the room and work out toward the door or room threshold, so you don’t have to walk over just-cleaned areas.
• Work in small sections.
• Be sure to rinse thoroughly so you remove any residue.

Clean Bedding Frequently

Warm, moist, and an endless source of food, our beds are just as warm and cozy for dust mites as they are for us. This is why changing bed linens frequently and cleaning the bedding properly is so important for dust mite control.

All washable bedding should be changed and cleaned at least weekly in hot water (at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit) to remove allergens and kill dust mites. Items that cannot be washed should be placed in a tumble dryer on high heat for at least 15 minutes weekly. Another method for killing dust mites is to place the non-washable item in a plastic bag and freeze it for 24 hours. This does not remove the allergens but will kill the dust mites.

Tip

Add Protective Coverings to Mattresses

One of the easiest ways to control dust mites is to add protective coverings to your mattress, box springs, and pillows. These zippered covers are dust mite-proof and create a barrier between you and the mattress or pillow. Since the dust mites can’t get to their food supply of dead skin cells, they will eventually die off.

Even with protective coverings, mattresses should be steam cleaned at least twice per year to kill dust mites.

Use Natural Oils to Kill Dust Mites

Research studies have shown that clove, rosemary, eucalyptus, and caraway oils can help control dust mites. However, the effectiveness is based on the concentration used and the length of time it is left on the dust mite-infested surface.

The oils can be diffused into the air or combined with water and sprayed on a mattress, carpet, or fabric surface. Always test in a small area to make sure the oil solution doesn’t leave a stain. Another option is to combine a few drops of oil with baking soda and sprinkle it over the fabric surfaces, leave for at least an hour, and then vacuum the baking soda away.

Warning

Remove Wall-to-Wall Carpeting

Wall-to-wall carpeting is a playground for dust mites. The fibers attract and hold onto the dead skin cells that settle on it, and carpet is much more difficult to clean thoroughly than hard surface floors. If someone in your home has a severe dust mite allergy, wall-to-wall carpeting should be removed if possible. Replace the carpet with wood, laminate, tile, or vinyl that can be dry mopped daily. Washable area rugs can be added for underfoot comfort.

If the carpeting cannot be removed, vacuuming should be done daily with a vacuum that uses a HEPA filter. Done seasonally, steam cleaning will kill the dust mites if the steamer reaches at least 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Remove Heavy Window Coverings

Fabrics attract dust and that attracts dust mites. Heavy drapes or other window coverings that cannot be washed frequently should be removed, especially in bedroom areas. A good substitute for heavy drapes are curtains that can be machine-washed or wooden blinds that can be dusted regularly.

Tip

Lower Room Temperatures

Keeping a cool temperature in your home won’t prevent dust mites but it will keep them from breeding and multiplying quickly. Since they thrive in temperatures between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, set the temperature in your home no higher than 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Reduce Humidity in the Home

Dust mites love humidity. While a steamy bathroom can usually be cleared quickly with a venting fan, other factors contribute to the level of humidity in a home—leaky windows, damp crawl spaces, improper ductwork. To help control dust mites, use a hygrometer to determine the humidity level and keep it below 50 percent.

Humidity levels can be reduced by using a dehumidifier, opening windows on dry, breezy days, treating damp basements, installing moisture barriers, checking clothes dryer vents, and using fans or venting systems when cooking and bathing.

Reduce Clutter

We love our things, but the more of them that you have on display means more surfaces to collect dust. Keep collectibles in covered boxes or glass-enclosed storage cabinets to keep them dust-free. Or, rotate only a few items out for display to make dusting easier.

Clothes

Liquid Soap

Shampoo makes an excellent liquid hand soap, and it’s loads cheaper than any soap refill that you can buy. Just fill your soap dispenser about a third of the way with shampoo; fill the rest of the space with water, and give the dispenser a good shake to combine everything.

Have a foaming soap dispenser? You can use shampoo to make your own foaming soap refill, too. Just dilute the shampoo even further.

• Also try: Add baking soda to a bottle of shampoo to create your own mechanic’s/gardener’s soap.

Shaving Cream

Cross shaving cream off of your shopping list for good. A squirt of shampoo works just as well, and will never leave those nasty rust stains on your tub.

• Tip: Mix shampoo and conditioner together (or use a two-in-one) to give your skin an extra boost of moisture.

Body Wash

Save some cash and cut down on the number of bottles in your shower by using shampoo in place of your body wash. It will lather up beautifully and leave you smelling great. You can also add a capful of shampoo to your bath water in place of bubble bath or mix some salt or sugar into your shampoo to create your very own body scrub.

Hand Wash Laundry Detergent

Forget about buying special laundry detergent for your delicates. A squeeze of shampoo in a sinkful of water is all you need to clean undergarments, sweaters and anything else that you like to handwash.

Laundry Stain Remover

Blast away your toughest laundry stains with a squirt of shampoo. It works especially well on oil and blood stains. Just work a bit of shampoo into the spot; let it sit for a little while, and rinse clean. Repeat if necessary.

Carpet/Upolstery Stain Spot Treatment

Work a small amount of shampoo into any carpet or upholstery stain. Then, simply dab the spot with a damp rag until the stain lifts. If you’re worried about colorfastness, test this trick out in an inconspicuous area first.

Kitchen Degreaser

Use shampoo to remove grease buildup from your kitchen counters, walls, and appliances. Just apply a small amount of shampoo to a wet rag. Work it into the area that you wish to clean, and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse clean, and all that grease should be gone.

• Tip: Boost the effectiveness of the shampoo by adding a bit of baking soda. It’ll act as a scouring powder and get that grease off even faster.

Floor Cleaner

Make your own mopping solution by adding a capful of shampoo to a bucket of warm water. It’ll do a great job on your linoleum or ceramic tile floors.

Bathroom Cleaner

Shampoo is designed to cut through oil and hair product build-up, so it works great on soap scum, too. Use it to clean your tub or shower, and you’ll drastically reduce your scrub time. Just apply shampoo with a rag, let it sit for a bit and rinse clean. That’s really all there is to it.

Have hairspray build-up on your bathroom walls? Some shampoo will remove that, too

Bubble Solution

Keep the kids entertained by making bubble solution from diluted shampoo. It works just as well as store-bought, and costs way less.

Refresh Rather Than Replace the Cabinets

1. You’re Not Washing Yoga Pants, Undies & Socks After Each Wear

While “off-duty” items or seasonal clothing (jackets, scarfs, etc.) generally require less washing than high-use items, “yoga pants, underwear, socks, undershirts, and other sweat-gathering articles should generally be washed after every wear,” said Joe Mercurio, Project Manager at RushOrderTees.

The (Gross) Scientific Reason

Sweat creates a breeding ground for bacteria. Even mixing your soggy socks in the hamper with your other clothes can be a no-no because it creates dampness and ideal conditions for bacteria overgrowth.

2. You’re Not Taking the Time to Dry Items Fully

We’ve all fallen victim to the soggy sheets, rolled-up socks, underwear-caught-in-sweater- pocket, or thick blankets that felt a little damp but probably fine enough to take out of the dryer.

When we’re in a rush or just plain exhausted of the endless loads, we sometimes slack on the full dry—and especially if we’re in a laundromat or shared space where others might be waiting to take over our machines. When it comes to the dryer, though, anything that isn’t fully dried isn’t actually clean. Which, of course, is the exact opposite of what you want when you clean your clothes.

But instead of repeatedly adding time to the cycle to finish that sheet that just won’t dry, a product can help. Cyndi Bray created Wad-Free, a product that keeps sheets and blankets from tangling, twisting, and ultimately not getting washed. It’s a small plastic square with opening slots where you can attach the sheet at opposite ends. When connected, the sheet will have resistance and won’t spin together in a wad.

Sheets often ball-up into a ‘burrito wad,’ or small items get trapped inside the corners of the fitted sheet in a ‘hostage-taker’ wad,” Bray says. “So things are still wet inside at the end of the dry cycle.

“There are people who put the load in the dryer, run it, and leave it overnight (or even a couple days.) By the time they open the dryer, the whole thing has started to smell and mold since it was wound up in a wet ball. Then they have to run the whole load again (often adding extra products like bleach or scents) to try to get rid of the smell, which can even linger inside the appliance itself. That whole process is really wasteful, and damaging to your sheets.”

3. You’re Still Using Dryer Sheets

Although dryer sheets have been the go-to for years, experts are saying that they may be doing more harm than good.

“Dryer sheets leave a waxy film on your lint screen that can lead to extended drying times and excessive wear and tear on your machine and clothing,” says Jason Kapica, President of Dryer Vent Wizard. “Use wool dryer balls instead.”

If you enjoy the smell of dryer sheets, Kapica recommends essential oils to give your clothes a nice scent without the reside. “Dryer balls will also allow your clothes to dry faster,” he says, “And [they are] great for people with sensitive skin.”

4. You’re Not Laundry Stripping

According to the latest TikTok trend, laundry stripping is the latest and greatest in laundry musts, and experts agree.

“[It] removes] excess minerals from hard water, body oils/odor, [and] detergent/fabric softener residue from seemingly-clean clothes, towels, [or] sheets that have already gone through the washing machine,” says Vera Peterson, President of Molly Maid.

“The process of laundry stripping is fairly cheap and easy but time-consuming. Simply fill your bathtub with hot water and add half a cup of borax, baking soda, and the laundry detergent of your choice. Stir to be sure all are dissolved and add the items you wish to soak.”

“It is recommended that you soak these items for a few hours,” Peterson says, “Or however long it takes for the water to completely cool. You should then run the items through the washing machine on ‘rinse only.'”

Although stripping is effective, she recommends only using this process on certain items. Or, if you suspect a problem with your water, Peterson says you should invest in a water softener. This will keep costs low and, of course, help you conserve water.

5. You’re Using Too Much Laundry Detergent

The more soap, the cleaner the clothes… right?

Nope. “Adding extra detergent in the hopes of relieving strong odors can actually make matters worse,” says Kristiana Laugen, Home Expert at Handy. “If too much soap is added and then not thoroughly washed out, it ends up creating a damp environment that is ideal for the growth of mold and mildew. With this increased amount of bacteria continuing to spread, bad odors will only get stronger.”

Although it may be tempting to add more soap for a deeper clean, it’s actually counterproductive. And the same goes for fabric softener, too.

“While fabric softener is great for certain materials, you’ll want to avoid it completely with apparel like athleticwear,” says Laugen. “When fabric softener gets into the pores of your workout gear, it will trap the dirt and sweat, leaving your clothes with that gross ‘gym clothes’ odor.

6. You Don’t Have a Set a Schedule

When it comes to any household chore, the best results come from the best routines.

Yet, an overwhelming majority of us would probably admit that we have no real structure when it comes to laundry. We don’t mean just “Sunday Laundry Days”—we’re talking about a regular schedule with specific dates/times for when you’re washing things like sheets, bedding, pillow cases, and other I’ll-clean-them-when-I-remember items.

Maybe you think you’ve been washing on a schedule… but if your bedding only makes it into the washer when you happen to remember (AKA: any less than weekly), that’s less than ideal.

7. You Never Clean Your Washer

Another reason your laundry habits are actually disgusting is because you haven’t cleaned your machine… ever.

Let’s be real for a moment. When was the last time you deep-cleaned the washer? I mean, really got in there and scraped out the gunk, goo, soap residue, hair, fur, or any other unwanted, ahem, materials? And that’s just the inside!

You should, at a minimum, clean your washer twice a year. You can (and should) consider an occasional clean out of your air vents/ducts that lead to the outside, too. Dust gets trapped in there over time, and if you’re not careful, it can potentially start a fire.

Disposable Utensils

Many items that are billed as single-use products can, in fact, be used again and again. Such is the case with disposable utensils. When hosting a backyard bash or big get-together, encourage your guests to place their plastic forks, spoons, and knives off to the side rather than tossing them in the trash. Then, just give them a good wash in sudsy water and return them to a kitchen drawer to use for your next party. Even better, skip the plastic and buy an extra set of silverware (you can find cheap utensils at the thrift store) to have on hand whenever you’re serving a crowd.

Dryer Sheets

You like the way dryer sheets leave your laundry fluffy, soft, and clean-smelling, but don’t discard them when your permanent press cycle comes to a halt. Put those little slips to work around the house as dusting cloths. Use your spent dryer sheets to wipe down window blinds, baseboards, electronics, and sink hardware.