There are a lot of concerns about non-stick cookware with Teflon coating. If your cookware has Teflon on it, it’s safe to use as long as you follow a few precautions: Don’t overheat the pan, don’t use any utensils that could scratch the coating off and into the food, and don’t allow the pan to get too hot without food in it. If that seems like too much to remember, ditch it for cleaner alternatives. My favorite is a traditional cast-iron pan; when seasoned properly, it can be a non-stick wonder that sears, fries and browns food to absolute perfection, all without the worries of chemical residue.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Are you struggling to open your front door with a key that barely works? There’s no need to call a locksmith to come and fix it. Instead, go to your desk and grab a regular old pencil to help fix it. Rub your key with a pencil so the graphite powder coats the entire outside of the key, then try the lock again. The graphite coating will help reduce friction inside the lock, and it should work almost like new again.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Among the most annoying things when painting a room using a can of paint are all of the drips along the edges of the can. It can become extremely messy and actually make it difficult to reseal the can when you’re finished. To prevent drips, do this: Grab a rubber band. Just run a rubber band over the paint can so it’s stretched across the center of the opening. Each time you dip the brush, rub it across the rubber band so excess paint drips back into the can, and not over the sides. How easy is that?

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION