Got leftover pizza? When you put a slice of ‘za on a plate in the microwave, it never turns out the same as when it was fresh at the pizzeria. The trick to reheating that slice and having it remain hot, crispy and almost taste fresh-out-of-the-oven again is to cook it on a cooktop. Simply heat up a heavy pan (like a cast-iron pan) and place the slice of pizza inside. Let it warm up; it’ll toast the bread while heating up the sauce and melting the cheese. In a few minutes, you’ll have a perfectly crispy slice.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you use dryer sheets in your dryer, listen up: It’s time to wash your lint trap. Over time, dryer sheets leave an invisible film over the small mesh fabric on your lint trap. This prevents your dryer from properly collecting lint, which can slow down the efficiency of the dryer and also create a potential fire hazard. To prevent this, remove the trapped lint, then wash the lint trap with hot, soapy water while you scrub it with an old toothbrush. Allow it to dry before reinserting. You’ll be amazed how well your dryer works!

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It’s well-known that a programmable thermostat is an easy way to save money on heating and cooling costs in the home. But it’s imperative you know where to install one. Choose the room where you plan to spend the most time or where the temperature is most important to you, like a family room or bedroom. Then make sure the thermostat is positioned away from things like a front door (which can blast cold air into the home), the sun’s rays from a window or the area above a register vent. A false reading can cause a thermostat to overwork and waste energy.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION