Rely on Household Basics

To pick up cat hair, put on a wet rubber dishwashing glove and wipe your hand over surfaces. The hair will stick right to it.
Theresa Demonte
Long Beach, California

Baby wipes are useful for quick surface cleanups in kitchens and bathrooms. They also are great for cleaning up after craft projects.
Laura Fenton
Albuquerque, New Mexico

My vacuum attachment doesn't work on cloth lampshades, so I dust the shades with a lint roller.
Cynthia Studer
Grant City, Missouri

Use old newspapers instead of paper towels to clean mirrors and windows. They work great, and you're recycling.
Chrissy Stone
St. Louis Park, Minnesota

A dab of foaming shaving cream can help remove many red-wine spills from carpets.
Kathy Purves
Winnipeg, Manitoba

When you're washing narrow-necked glass vases and decanters, add a little uncooked rice to the water. Your glassware will sparkle.
Mona Lynch
Cork City, Ireland