Here’s a tip

“ “Grilling season is facing its official kickoff, and I am ready with my bag of tricks! I save the leftover portions of onion skin and garlic cloves, and have a pretty nice little herb garden going. I add the onion and garlic to the coals after they are burning nicely, and you can do the same thing with herbs — fennel is especially nice when grilling fish.” — A.C. in Missouri

“ Toss those condiment packages! If you are like most people, you hang on to extra ketchup packs from takeout, and lots of other things. Well, they break down like anything else, and if you have a pile, there’s no way to know how long you’ve had them. Toss them, and request only what you’ll use. Or, add the excess directly to your regular bottles at home as a booster.

“ “To stay on top of the little messes in the bathroom, I keep a roll of paper towels and a small spray bottle of cleaner (well-labeled) in each bathroom under the sink. It takes only a minute to freshen up, and it makes the regular cleaning process go more quickly.” — P.D. in New Mexico

“ Outdoor wicker furniture can be fresh and clean with only soap and water. Scrub with a brush and then let it sit in a shaded, and hopefully, windy area.

“ “I have a warning of sorts for people like me who like to scour garage sales (and sometimes trash cans) for furniture that can be refinished. Make sure that if you choose a piece that is painted, you check for lead paint before stripping. You can get kits at a home-improvement store. It’s not worth exposing yourself!” — R.L. in Arkansas