Keep your dog hydrated with a sealable container of ice

• "If you have delicate items to wash, put them inside a pillowcase before you run them through the delicate cycle on your washing machine. This works really well if you have something that has thin straps, as they will not get tangled up in the agitator." – K.Z. in Rhode Island

• "Make your own fun fridge magnets using thin giveaway magnets from local businesses. Glue photos or artwork over the front of thin, pliable advertising magnets. Cut away the edges, and you'll have fun magnets featuring your family members or pets, for instance." – A.L. in Connecticut

• "I keep a small spray bottle of rubbing alcohol in the glove box, along with a stack of paper napkins. This makes it easy to clean my glasses before driving. I also have used it to remove sticky residue and to sanitize my hands after pumping gas. It's quite useful, really." – F.E. in Washington

• A muffin tin makes a great sorter when beading necklaces or doing crafts with small beads. You can sort by style or color, making it organized and easy to find what you need.

• "If you have dry skin on elbows, knees or feet, get a container of Vaseline or other petroleum jelly. Rub a little bit of it into the dry skin areas at night, and you should see a difference in a week." – E.L. in California

• Whenever you travel in the car with your pet, try taking a sealable container of ice for drinking. It doesn't spill as easily as water does, but will melt as time passes. Then Rover can drink the water when you stop for a break.

• "To get to dust bunnies under the fridge or any piece of heavy furniture, wrap packing tape sticky-side out on a yard stick. Then, just swipe under the furniture, and out comes the dust." – I.E. in Virginia

• Instant serving "bowls" for chips: Using your hands, lightly push the bottom of the bag into itself, creating a bottom. Use scissors to trim bag top down to access potato chips easily. Or, if you don't have scissors, simply create a cuff to make the bag shorter. This way, you can reclose the bag if there are chips left over, and chips don't spill out of the bag left on its side.

• Never add flour or cornstarch directly to a soup or broth for gravy. Dissolve in a few tablespoons in water first and add gradually. You won't get the lumps.

• Got fruit flies? Their short life cycle can make it incredibly hard to rid yourself of their presence. Here's a great trap you can DIY. Add about 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar to a mason jar. Drop in a piece of overripe fruit. Roll up a square of paper to make a small funnel, and tape into shape. Set the funnel into the jar. The flies go in for the fruit and vinegar, then can't get out.

• If you want to bring shake-on spices or garnishes to a picnic, use an empty Tic Tac container. This is great for, say, Parmesan cheese that goes on a pasta salad at the last minute, or grill spices that you can shake on.

• "If you have iron stains in your sink or elsewhere, fill 'er up with Coca-Cola, and let it sit for several minutes. The Coke will eat away at the stains, and will make it easier to get them off." – A.C. in Maryland

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