TIP OF THE DAY - BAKING SODA

Most of us only use baking soda in our baking or to absorb odors in the fridge and freezer. However, baking soda is one of those kitchen staples that has a myriad of uses.

Mix up a paste of it with a little water, and it will remove stains from coffee mugs and get rid of those metal utensil marks on your plates.

For plastic storage containers that no longer smell all that fresh, soak them in a solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda to one quart of warm water.

Instead of tossing that box of baking soda that’s been absorbing fridge and freezer odors all month, pour the baking soda down the drain and run some warm water to keep drains from smelling.

Hate the smell and mess of silver polish? Use baking soda instead. Make a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Using a clean cloth, rub the paste onto the silver. Rinse thoroughly and dry.

MONEY MATTERS WITH SHEILA--CLEAN GREEN

Our money guru Sheila Conway is always looking for ways to save you money. Today she has one that saves both money and the planet. -- AP

Thanks, Anastasia! Ever notice that when you need to buy cleaning products, your grocery bill skyrockets? And once you’ve bought those products, you have to deal with the noxious fumes and odors when you use them. More and more companies are coming out with green cleaning products, but often at a premium price.

Did you know you can do much of your cleaning for pennies with items you have right in your refrigerator? Take the humble lemon, for instance. Squeeze half a lemon into a bowl filled with two cups of water. Add the squeezed half to the bowl, and place the bowl in your dirty microwave. Microwave on high for 5 - 10 minutes. Let the bowl stay in the closed microwave for another 5 minutes. Open the door and wipe the inside of your microwave clean with a sponge or towel.

What a great suggestion! Thanks, Sheila! And I’ll bet your kitchen and microwave smell lemony fresh afterwards, too. Readers, do you have any money-saving or cleaning tips you’d like to share? Let’s hear from you. -- AP