Making life a pinch easier

•”To clean blinds — and keep them clean longer — use sheets of fabric softener made for use in the dryer. The material is lint free, and the softener in it reduces static cling, as in dust clinging to those blinds. I do this a couple of times a year.” — S.L. in Indiana

•Keep track of the capacity and dimensions of your cookware by using a permanent marker to notate the specifications on the bottom of each baking container. Whn a recipe calls for a 13-by-9-inch baking dish or a 2-quart casserole dish, you can easily tell which one you need. This is especially important if you don’t spend a lot of time cooking.

•”I use baking soda to scour my kitchen sink. Then I rinse it down with a little vinegar. It cleans up really nicely and leaves the drains fresh.” — J.C. in California

•”To loosen grime in the shower, run the shower on hot for a few minutes and then use a cleaner. The heat makes it easier to clean. Or clean up the shower just before you clean up.” — T.G. in Texas