I have a two-year-old son who loves juicy fruits and cheesy pizza but who objects strongly to using a bib. Toothpaste has effectively removed most stains — even grape juice — from his clothes.
Margo Kohn
Los Angeles, California

I keep a cardboard box nearby every time I clean. I make sure to find at least three items that I have not used in the past six months and throw them in. I donate the contents to charity.
Kari J. Lee
Valdosta, Georgia

I use Bounce fabric-softener sheets in the laundry, to wipe soap scum off shower doors, and to eliminate static from TV and computer screens. I've also heard that when left on the table during an outdoor picnic, they're an effective mosquito repellent.
Maureen Burns
Palatine, Illinois

Polident denture cleanser is a great tool for cleaning glass vases and sconces that house floating candles. I fill the item with warm water and drop in one five-minute tablet for every eight ounces of water. I let the item soak for however long it takes to break down the residue, then I rinse it with warm water and dry it.
Katie Frazier
Sacramento, California

My dry-erase board has become an invaluable tool. Every Saturday morning I write a chore list on it, and my husband and children sign up for the day's duties. It inspires them to wake up early so they're not stuck with an unappealing task.
Mandy Stossel
Talkeetna, Alaska

Old toothbrushes are perfect for scrubbing around sinks and stoves and removing grime from tennis shoes. The added benefit is that you recycle and save money.
Darcy Storms
Astoria, New York

A bottle brush is the best tool for cleaning wineglasses, bud vases, and other narrow-mouthed glassware. It beats jamming a hand into a narrow item or bending a sponge that doesn't quite get the job done.
Jennifer Byrn
West Palm Beach, Florida

Reliable Appliances

My Whirlpool Duet front-loading washing machine uses about half the water and detergent a top-loader does, and it has twice the load capacity of my old machine. The settings let me launder duvets, pillows, and even hand-wash-only garments.
Siobhan Budnitz
Baltimore, Maryland

My steam cleaner has various attachments that I can affix to the end of a hose coming off the water-filled, wheel-mounted base. It takes care of the grease under the stovetop and the grime on the toilet bowl. And it has enough power to clean the entire kitchen floor — without chemicals.
John Torrey
Austin, Texas

My Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner does an unbelievable job of getting under the bed and into other areas that I'd have to move furniture to access.
Sharon Naylor
Madison, New Jersey

The cordless ScumBuster, made by Black & Decker, runs on a rechargeable battery and scrubs all sorts of surfaces, from tubs and sinks to carpets and furniture. It's easy on the hands, and it's waterproof.
Karen Volkman
Seattle, Washington