Do Just One Thing

The next time you open a jar or can of olives, don’t discard the flavorful brine inside. The savory liquid mixture of water, vinegar and salt has fantastic flavor that can be used beyond making martinis dirty. Pour the mixture into anything in lieu of salt; add it to pasta sauces or homemade hummus, use it as part of a salad dressing, or steam vegetables with it so they have a nice brine flavor when they’re all cooked up. You can also save brine by freezing it in ice cube trays; when you need one, just pop out a cube and toss it into the pot.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you have small packets of mustard in your junk or office drawer, pull them out and put them to good use. Mustard is more than just a condiment; it can also combat odors. If your reusable plastic, glass or metal containers have a lingering scent inside, you can neutralize the smell with mustard. Just squeeze a few packets of mustard into the container and then fill with hot water. Seal it shut and let it sit for a few hours, then rinse with soap and water to reveal your freshly cleaned container.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Do you keep a box of baking soda in the refrigerator to keep it smelling nice and fresh? When it’s time to replace the box, don’t toss the baking soda in the trash. While it may not be active enough to bake with, you can still do a myriad of other things with old baking soda. Keep it handy near your stove or grill; if there’s a flare-up or fire, baking soda is a great extinguisher. Mix baking soda with equal parts sugar and place it where you’ve spotted roaches. The sugar attracts them to the mixture, but the baking soda is deadly to them. And finally, you can dump it into the sink or tub and use it as an all-natural cleaner.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION