Perfecting your grilled cheese sandwich

• "I find that if I rinse out my Styrofoam to-go cups from coffee shops or convenience stores, I can re-use them at least a couple of times. The cup and lid are really convenient, and I save money by bringing coffee from home." — F.C. in Colorado

• Eggs for breakfast at the campsite? Do yourself a favor: Pre-crack and scramble them, then store in an empty water bottle. You'll never have to worry about accidentally smashing the carton of eggs.

• Asparagus can be kept longer in the fridge if you trim the ends and place the stalks upright into a wide-mouth glass with a little bit of water in the bottom. You can get an extra few days of storage with this trick.

• "If your stainless steel sink gets dull, spray it with club soda." — J.S. in Washington

• "Need an emergency bootsaver? Stick a rolled newspaper down into the boot to keep it from flopping over." — C.R. in Pennsylvania

• To help coats and jackets last longer, give them a coating of waterproofing spray.

• "When making a grilled cheese sandwich, use room-temperature cheese. Because it's not cold, it will melt evenly and more quickly, so you won't burn the bread. For an extra little something, try sprinkling the grilled outsides with a tiny dash of sugar. Yum!" — A.J. in Florida

• When cooking quinoa, brown rice or other grains, use broth — not water. It makes a world of difference in the flavor.

• "Serving warm foods that cool quickly? Try warming your dishes in the oven at 200 F for five minutes or so before serving. We do this at our house when we make pancakes, but you can do it anytime the meal warrants it, or to be fancy if you have company. If your dishes are microwavable, they should be fine." — L.C. in Texas

• “The ranger at the campsite we just stayed at told us that adding a sage bundle to the campfire will help keep bugs away.” — T.W. in Missouri

• Look for outdoor hanging planters — particularly the wall-mounted ones — for use inside the house. They can be used to store stuffed animals in a child's bedroom up off the floor.

• Toothpaste makes an excellent cleaning abrasive. It's gentle enough for some delicate materials; just rub a little on the stained area and wipe away. Repeat if necessary.

Send your tips to Now Here's a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

(c) 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.