Sheets

• Sheets last longer when you follow the three set rule: one set on your bed, one in your closet and one in the laundry. By rotating your sets, they should last at least three times longer than you'd initially expect!

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Duvet Covers

• Comforters are expensive, so why not make them last as long as possible? Duvet covers, or comforter covers, are a great solution for anything from an old comforter to an old decor. Not only do duvet covers protect your comforter from dirt, dust and wear, but they're also a cost-friendly way to give your bedroom a new look!

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Mattress Pads

• Comforters have duvet covers and mattresses have mattress pads. A mattress pad is a sure-fire, inexpensive way to increase the life of your mattress in more than one way.

• First, it will help prevent bothersome dust and allergens from getting trapped for life in your mattress. Second, it will protect your mattress from any spills or stains. (Not to mention that most are machine washable so you can always enjoy a new fresh smell.) Third, mattress pads allow you the freedom to change the look and feel of your mattress without having to commit to a big purchase! They're available in soft, firm, down, foam, pillow top as well as many other different options.
  

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Pillows

• You deserve a good night's rest! Make sure you're using the pillow best designed for your normal sleep position:

Stomach Sleepers: Try a soft to medium firmness pillow, because they have less fill, your neck won't be stuck in an uncomfortable position.

Back Sleepers: Try a medium to firm pillow which will give you the support to help keep your head, neck and spine aligned.

Side Sleepers: Try a firm to extra-firm pillow which will keep your neck and your spine aligned all night long.

Not sure?: A soft, natural-filled pillow is easily fluffed and adjusted as needed for comfort in various sleeping positions.

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Towels

• When washing your towels, forego the fabric softeners since they contain silicone. It binds them to the towel fibers, making them stiff and virtually water repellent — reducing the softness and absorbency you fell in love with in the first place!

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Personal Care Items

• To add fragrance and an aromatherapy treatment to a jet spa or whirlpool bath, add bath salts. Never use bath oil or bubble bath. These can harm the mechanics of your jet system or create mounds of unwanted foam. Always check the manufacturer's guidelines.

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Candles

• The first time you light a candle, cut the wick to 1/4" and allow it to burn until the liquid wax covers the entire top of the candle. This breaking in process ensures that the candle will burn more evenly throughout its life. To gauge the proper burn time for candles of different sizes, use the following rule: 1 hour of burn time for each inch of candle width.
• Floating candles accent settings from dinner parties to backyard picnics. Create an extra special lighting effect by floating candles in a clear glass bowl. Use distilled water to eliminate mineral buildup on the sides of the bowl.

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Tablecloths

• Save ironing time and smooth your tablecloth by laying it out on the table with a pad or towel underneath. Lightly spray it with water and let gravity pull it smooth overnight.

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Rugs

• Look for rugs that have non-skid backings. At the very least, use rug gripper pads to prevent sliding of rugs and to protect floors/carpeting from abrasive unbacked rugs.

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Dinnerware

• When washing dinnerware, use cold water to initially remove starches and dairy products like eggs, milk, flour and oats. These food items get gummier in hot water. A few minutes of soaking in cold water is all you need. Finish in soapy, hot water.
• Dinnerware is meant to be versatile! A dessert plate can be a perfect lunch dish, a cereal bowl is ideal for ice cream sundaes, and a pasta bowl is great when serving chips or pretzels to a crowd.

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Flatware

• Letting stainless steel knives, forks and spoons sit in foods that are very salty or very high in acid (vinegar, citrus fruits and pickles) can leave unsightly marks. Also keep stainless steel utensils away from silver polish products. The chemicals in these products are too harsh and will dull stainless steel's natural luster.
• Most stainless is dishwasher safe and rust-proof. Non-bleach detergents are recommended, however, because chlorine bleach can dull stainless steel's shine.

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Knives

• Dishwashers will ruin your knives, and so will letting them bang around in your kitchen drawers. Sharp blades chip easily, so wash your knives by hand and store them in a knife block.

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Pans & Cookware

• Loosening cooked-on food becomes much easier when you fill the bottom of the pan with water and bring it to a boil on your stovetop. Let the water boil a minute or two, and the pan will scrape clean easily.

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Cooking Utensils

• Because metal utensils can scratch, dent or even wear away the surfaces of most nonstick cookware, be sure to register for specially made plastic or nylon kitchen tools. Avoid abrasive scouring pads for cleanup.

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Appliances

• To keep appliances with rotary beaters, like blenders, in tip-top shape, regularly lubricate the area where the blades sit or are inserted. Use mineral oil for this task. Vegetable oil may cause corrosion of the working parts.
• Electric coffee bean grinders are terrific additions to any java drinker's kitchen, but they're also great for grinding fresh spices! To clean up the remnants and oils your spices may leave behind, run some soft, white bread with a substantial crust through the grinder. That way, your coffee beans won't take on the taste of whatever spice you've been grinding!

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Luggage

• Packing problems? Not if you pack bulky items, like shoes, first! Rolled-up shorts, T-shirts, jeans and underwear go in next — neatly tucked in and around the heavier items. Delicate clothing items should then go on top.

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Other Good-to-Knows!

• When entertaining buffet-style, create a separate bar area for drinks that won't disrupt the flow of buffet traffic. A casual party where guests serve themselves calls for a large tub filled with ice and beverages. Tie a bottle opener to the tub's handle, and make a place for caps and empties.
• When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of dry cake ingredients instead. No more white mess on the outside of your cake!
• Static electricity can lead to more than the occasional little shock. With more personal computers and electronic gadgets in homes than ever before, it can quickly become a serious problem. To remove static electricity from your carpets, mix one part liquid fabric softener to five parts tap water in a spray bottle. Mist your carpets lightly and then let them dry. Repeat every couple of months. Running a humidifier may also help eliminate static shocks.