It’s happened to even the best home cooks: Things burn. Pots spill over and casseroles bubble, causing messes and odors inside the oven and on stovetop burners. One natural and easy way to clean up and neutralize the spill is to reach for two pantry staples: table salt and cinnamon. When the spills are still hot, sprinkle a generous amount of both spices and wait until everything cools. Rub it away using a brush or scouring sponge, and it should be clean and odorless.

Using an energy- and water-efficient dishwasher instead of washing by hand can actually save you about $40 a year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. But like most household appliances, maintenance is key to making sure your dishwasher works properly for a long time. One issue is hard water, which can build up stains and deposits inside the dishwasher. Over time, it can restrict water flow and effectiveness of the dishwasher. The easy solution is white vinegar. Pour 2 cups into the bottom of the dishwasher and run it empty. It will eradicate hard water stains and also help neutralize any odors.

After you’ve whipped up some stir-fry or fried an egg in butter or oil, it may seem silly to scrape away the little bit of oil in the pan into the trash. But oil, butter and other fats used for cooking should never be disposed of down the drain, no matter how small the amount. Over time, melted fat solidifies, collects and gels, clogging your drains and municipal sewer lines. Large pipes get clogged, and sewage can back up and overflow into the streets. So be sure to use a spatula to scrape all the fat into the trash.