ReadyMade: Instructions for everyday life

GREEN CLEANING TIPS

MEAT AND GREET
For scratched wooden surfaces, we're nuts for nuts. Gently rub the meat of a walnut or pecan over any dings, and the wood will absorb the oil in the nut, disguising unsightly blemishes.

SNIFF TEST
If your microwave still reeks of that fish taco you reheated three weeks ago, drop a few tablespoons of baking soda into a bowl of water and cook on high for three to four minutes.

WINNING STREAK
Fill a spray bottle with two teaspoons of white vinegar and a quart of warm water for a squeaky-clean alternative to chemically enhanced glass cleaner. Wipe it off with newspaper for a sleek finish every time.

HERBAL ALTERNATIVE
Got flies? Put away the swatter and drive them away with a potted basil plant. The winged creatures find the herb's aroma repulsive, which translates into fewer flies (and more homemade pesto for you).

ROAD LESS TRAVELED
Ants are a common and persistent pest in many homes, especially during the wet months. Ditch those poisonous aerosol sprays and repel the little buggers with a line of cayenne or cinnamon in high-traffic areas and entry points.

CLEAN AIR ACT
Houseplants are not only great aesthetic additions to any room, they also significantly reduce biological and synthetic pollutants in the air. Some of the more effective filtering flora include gerber daisies, chrysanthemums, ficus, peace lilies, and devil's ivy.

BREAK ON THROUGH
Borax has a decidedly sinister-sounding name, but it's actually a great mineral-based, low-toxicity cleanser. It can be used in any number of household chores and works wonders as a stain remover. Mix a quarter cup of it with two of cups water to soak stubborn stains into oblivion.

BRUSH IT OFF
Polish the metal fixtures around your home with non-gel toothpaste to help keep them clean, sparkly, and tarnish-free.

SMUDGE FREE
To spiff up leather furniture, clear unsightly scuff marks by gently rubbing the eraser end of a pencil over the affected area. It's a toxin- and fume-free way to make imperfections disappear.

CHILL OUT
Place an ice cube on carpet indentations left behind after rearranging furniture. Once the ice melts and the water dries, your carpet will return to its shaggy self.

PASS THE BAR
Instead of relying on tailor's chalk, designer Heather Bailey recommends using that last sliver of white hand soap to mark your fabric. Its edge creates a sharp line that will wash right out in the laundry.

MAGIC WAND
The next time your mascara runs dry, don't toss it. The brush is a perfect size for cleaning small nooks and crannies. Shampoo the bristles, allow them to dry, and get to work.

LEMON STOP
Angela Gilltrap of New York, New York, keeps cobwebs at bay by dabbing her broom's bristles with lemon juice and sweeping the ceiling to ward off spiders. Turns out arachnids don't like the fresh scent

DUST BUSTER
For Jason Calmes of Findlay, Ohio, fabric-softening sheets do double duty: After the laundry's dry, he uses the clingy little cloths to wipe dust from window blinds and computer screens.

GET FIZZY WITH IT
Clean built-up gunk out of vases, thermoses, and other hard-to-scrub vessels with denture-cleaning tablets-simply fill them with water, let a tablet dissolve in each, and watch the fizz scour.

GRIND HOUSE
Clean a gritty coffee or spice grinder by running ¼ cup of dry rice around the blades. The grains will whisk away bits of debris while removing musty flavors and scents.

STOCKING CAP
Cover the bristles of your broom with an old pair of pantyhose before sweeping extra-dusty spots-the nylon will capture dust bunnies rather than just scooting them across the floor.