FEBRUARY:

• HINT 1:  Cleaning Silver:  To clean silver without a lot of elbow-grease, line a heatproof glass container with aluminum foil, shiny side up, add one heaping tablespoon of baking soda, and pour in enough boiling water to cover the item(s). The tarnish will collect on the foil.  Remove the piece, rinse it thoroughly, and polish it with a soft cloth.
• HINT 2:  Cleaning Window Screens:  Use a rough dry paint roller to clean dirty window screens. This will remove all of the dust, lint and dirt on the screen.
• HINT 3:  To get musty odors out of a suitcase, fill it with crumpled newspapers, close suitcase and leave for a few days. Change newspaper every two to three days until odor is gone.
• HINT 4:  To keep a musty smell out of closed rooms, place a pan of charcoal briquettes in the room to keep odor away. It also reduces mustiness and moisture in small spaces. Replace the briquettes every few months. You can also use them in a barbecue later.
• HINT 5:  Remove a crease in a garment such as a hem by sponging on white vinegar then pressing with a warm iron. Launder as usual.
• HINT 6:  When hammering in a nail, a slip of the hammer can cause an ugly dent in the surface of whatever you're working on. Protect the wood by using a plastic lid.  Cut a hole in the center of the lid just a bit larger than the head of the nail. Now use the lid as a safety shield while driving in the nail.
• HINT 7:  Don't spend a lot of money on a food dehydrator when you can dehydrate food in your oven. Thinly slice the fruits or vegetables, place onto cookie sheets or cake racks and place into a 200-degree oven. Prop open the oven door to maintain air circulation. Bake vegetables from six to 16 hours, and fruits for 12 to 48 hours.