Most of us are familiar with the old trick about applying hairspray to remove an ink stain. While this hack actually worked in the past, it probably won’t when you try it today, because many modern hairspray products use less alcohol than those in years past, or are alcohol-free. So when your ballpoint pen creates a stain, what household item can you use instead? Reach for rubbing alcohol. Simply saturate the stain and let it sit for about 15 minutes; the stain will magically disappear. Use an eye dropper for targeting smaller stains!

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Is the forecast calling for a hot, dry, sunshine-filled day? Use the opportunity to harness the natural deodorizing properties of sunlight and give your hard-to-clean items a freshening up! Sunlight contains ultraviolet light, which can destroy the DNA of odor-causing bacteria. Letting things like pillows, blankets, towels and even clothes lie out in the sun for a few hours can help clean them. The key thing is to make sure it’s a very dry day. Humidity in the air can actually worsen the problem, as bacteria loves a moist environment.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Have you ever needed just a little bit of fresh-squeezed lemon juice, but you didn’t want to waste a whole lemon to get it? Here’s a simple hack in which you only need a toothpick. First, press the lemon with the palm of your hand while rolling it on a countertop to break up some of the juice sacs inside. Then pierce the lemon with a toothpick in the non-stem end, and squeeze out the juice you need. The small hole will allow fresh juice to be extracted without having to cut the lemon open, and the lemon will remain fresh longer, so it can still be used the next day.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION