One of the easiest (and least toxic) methods for removing hard water stains from kitchen and bath fixtures is simply to use a lemon. The next time you cut a lemon to use in a recipe, save the squeezed halves and rub them all over faucets, handles and even the showerhead. The acid in lemons will break down the hard water and lime scale stains. The key is to let the citric acid sit overnight; in the morning, when you turn on the sink or shower, just use the water to rinse off the lemon juice and reveal gleaming new fixtures.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Bales of straw are a desirable ground cover, mulch or soil amendment for many gardeners, but they can be expensive to purchase during the warmer months. Wait until Nov. 1 to get the best deal on bales of straw. The reason? They’re also used as Halloween decorations and sold at stores and farm centers solely for that purpose. Much like how pumpkins are steeply discounted after Halloween, so are straw bales. Grab ‘em then and use them around your yard or garden and to amend your compost.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When you have a grimy oven that is begging for a deep clean, skip the toxic oven spray cleaners and reach for nontoxic items you already have. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water and generously spread it inside the oven. Let it sit there for several hours or overnight to break down the greasy, baked-on mess, then spray it all with white vinegar to create a bubbly chemical reaction. Wipe down with a sponge to reveal a clean surface inside your oven.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION