Karen Barker, 53, of Laconia is a retired occupational therapist who works at Laconia Village Bakery. Her REAL job, though, is running Sustainable Sustenance, “a community group of folks gathered around a common interest in. . . (read more)

To polish brass, use Worcestershire sauce; or pour on ketchup, let sit, then wipe dry.
To clean chrome, just use baking soda and a dry cloth.
To polish chrome, rub wet fixtures with newspaper or. . . (read more)

Who needs store-bought fabric softener? Just add one-half to one cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle of your machine. (The smell will dissipate. We promise.) And to make your laundry smell good, put. . . (read more)

• Activate the sleep feature or turn off office equipment when it’s not in use during the day.
• Turn off computers, monitors, power strips, printers and copiers at night and on weekends.
• Shut. . . (read more)

For a natural way to control ants, mix two tablespoons boric acid, two tablespoons sugar and one cup of water. Soak paper towels, place on dishes and set out for ants. Or: Pour a line. . . (read more)

• Ask your employer to buy office supplies made with recycled content. Recycled printer cartridges are often cheaper than new ones.
• When buying paper and envelopes, look for a high percentage of post-consumer content. . . (read more)

For a safer flea and tick repellent, try scattering pine needles, fennel, rue or rosemary on your pet’s bed. Or feed your pet brewer’s yeast, vitamin B or garlic tablets.

To scrub floors with tough messes and stains, use washing soda and rinse well. For a lighter wash, dilute one cup of washing soda in a gallon of warm or hot water. Add a few. . . (read more)

Do you have a mold or mildew problem? If you have a known moisture problem in your house, place bowls of unscented kitty litter near the moisture to absorb it. Replace once a week. To. . . (read more)

Here are some tips we've come across. Feel free to add your own:

• Keep your tires properly inflated. Tires should be inflated to the pressure recommended for your vehicle; usually you can find this number. . . (read more)

To clean your oven, mix a quart of warm water, two teaspoons borax and two tablespoons of liquid soap. Spray into your oven, wait 20 minutes, then clean. Or make a thick paste with water. . . (read more)

• Park in the shade in summer to keep your car cool and minimize evaporation of fuel.
• If you have a garage, use it as much as possible to keep your car warm in. . . (read more)