Soak up coffee spills

• “If you accidentally overfill the coffeemaker, you can use a baster to remove the extra water. It works, and you don’t have to try to tip over the maker.” — I.D. in New Mexico

• If you are repotting a plant, try this neat trick to discourage soil loss and bug infiltration through the drainage hole. Instead of using broken pieces of pots or small rocks, cut a piece of screen to fit the bottom of your pot. Or you can use a small section of pantyhose. Fill with dirt and your plant. The holes are too small for bugs to get in or for soil to drain out.

• “When my curly, curly hair gets the frizz, I use a sheet of fabric softener to take the static electricity out of it. This works so well that in the winter, I keep several in my purse.” — P.M. in Michigan