Plastic food-storage containers are a good reusable solution to keep leftovers fresh, but they can often stain. Even with tough hand scrubbing in the sink or using a dishwasher, they can still retain odors and stains that seem impossible to remove. On a very hot, sun-intensive day, try using the sun’s rays to deodorize and brighten your plastic containers instead. Wash them clean and place them on top of a towel in the brightest spot in your yard. The natural UV rays from the sun will do their magic and leave your containers smelling fresh and looking cleaner.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Does pet hair seem permanently trapped in your carpets where no amount of vacuuming can free it? While a vacuum can do a great job at suctioning up dirt, the weight of the vac can actually compress the fur more deeply into the fibers of the carpet. To free trapped pet hair, head to the shower and grab a squeegee. Running the squeegee across the rug creates static electricity that can draw up the pet fur. As it comes up, it’ll clump and make collection easy, leaving you with a truly clean rug.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If your car is leaking fluids like motor oil, it’s important to get it repaired by your mechanic as soon as possible. It can be hard to tell if your car actually has a leak, so try this trick: On a clean, dry floor, place newspaper underneath and around the car overnight. Check the newspaper the next day to see if there are any wet or oily marks. Keep in mind that small drops here and there may be the damp garage environment or air conditioning condensation rather than leaks from the car. But any significant markings are reason enough to have the car checked by an auto shop.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION