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Prettier paintings. Stumped by how to dust oil paintings? Consider this tip from the new book “Fix-It Magic” by Joey Green ($17.95, Rodale), a pro at finding alternate uses for name-brand products. She suggests rubbing slices of Wonder Bread over the painting, then wiping off the crumbs. “The bread works like a mild abrasive to clean the dirt and film from the oil painting,” Green writes. Among the other 1,970 household tips in the book: ChapStick lip balm can help drawer casters slide without friction; Huggies Baby Wipes are useful for removing fingerprints from television screens; and Alka-Seltzer tablets come in handy for removing gunk from flower vases.
energy
Effortless eco-smarts. Alison Shoemaker is a California designer specializing in green design. On top of being raised by a parent in the design business, her industry chops include studying and working in San Francisco, and logging time with the home- furnishings maven Barbara Berry. Shoemaker compiled these ideas for easy green living.
Pitcher this. Keep attractive water pitchers near faucets to conserve water when running the tap. Save any excess for household chores like watering plants.
Basket case. Store two ornate wastebaskets in every room: One for recyclables and the other for trash.
Shoe zen. Leave another depository near doors where people can take off their shoes. Approximately 85 percent of dust, allergens and chemicals tracked into the home come from shoes, according to Shoemaker.
Bamboo bedding. These sheets are temperature-controlling, meaning they keep you cool when you’re warm and warm when you’re cool, which will allow for energy savings.
Green thumb time. House plants cleanse the air of indoor toxins and provide natural beauty.
space
More bathroom storage. The Better Homes and Gardens website (bhg.com) recently listed ideas for carving out more storage in cramped bathrooms.
Double-duty door. The bathroom door is unused storage space. Paint the door with magnetic paint to create an attractive surface on which to hang towel hooks and metal disks. Then install mobile bins and towel bars.
Think svelte. With only a sliver of extra floor space, small- scale case goods are the answer as taller, thinner pieces offer more cubic inches of storage in limited square footage.
Backed into a corner. Make use of corner space with a tall, triangular pot rack. Fill bowls on the shelves with bathroom supplies and stacks of rolled bath towels for an attractive and functional display.
