Repurpose Rarely Used Appliances

Your Rice Cooker

• Steam towels to offer guests before dinner. (Or, for a quick moisturizing treatment, slather your hands with lotion, then wrap them in the steamed towels until cool.) Wet and wring out several small washcloths. Fold in thirds horizontally, then roll and place inside the steamer. Steam for 5 minutes (or until hot). Remove with tongs, and place on a tray or a plate.
• Make hot cereal. It takes twice as long, but the cereal is smoother and creamier than the stovetop version. And the no-stirring method frees you to attend to other things in the morning―like simultaneously packing lunches, reading the newspaper, and feeding the dog.