...FOR SIMPLE THINGS:

IN THE CLEAR
Buff a thin layer of shaving cream onto the bathroom mirror to prevent it from steaming up while you bathe. The glass won't look any different, but it will stay fog-free.

CLAM OPENER
After slicing his finger while attempting to open anti-theft clamshell packaging, Karthic Chidambaranathan of Austin, Texas, came up with a safer idea: Use a double-edged can opener to cleanly cut around the edges and free the contents without damaging your digits.

NEXT OF TIN
Rather than stacking cookie sheets and other bakeware horizontally, use bookends to hold them up on their sides in the cabinet. They'll be easier to find, access, and put away.

BUTTERED UP
Whipping up a special treat that calls for small pats of butter? Instead of fumbling around with a slick stick and sharp knife, use a cheese grater or vegetable peeler on cold butter to shave off what you need.

DON'T SWEAT IT
April Kilcrease of San Francisco bypasses cardboard coffee-cup sleeves for sporty terry-cloth wristbands, which keep her from burning her fingers while sipping a steamy cup of joe.

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.

CHOCOLATE TIP
Prevent fresh-baked cookies from crumbling as they're lifted from the pan by loosening them first with dental floss-cut a length of the thread, pull it taut, and slide it under each cookie for a clean break.

STOCKING STUFFER
Make use of orphaned socks taking up space in your drawer by slipping them over fragile holiday ornaments to keep the decorations intact until next year.

SOFT SERVE
Cut an X in an old tennis ball and place it over the head of your hammer to gently knock together assembly-required gifts without pounding them to pieces.

HANG TOUGH
Prevent silk shirts and spaghetti-strapped tanks from sliding down to the dark depths of your closet by twisting a rubber band around the ends of each hanger to hold them in place.

FORK IT OVER
Don't risk smashing your fingers when hammering a nail-protect them from an accidental pounding by using the tines of a fork to hold the nail in place.

CRAFT CUBBY
Line shallow drawers with ice cube trays or egg cartons to organize beads, thread, and other small items.

TRUE BOUNCE
Avoid the nasty toxins in fabric softeners (and save a few bucks) by throwing three tennis balls into the dryer with a load of wash. The balls create air pockets that help clothes dry faster and feel fluffier.

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.

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.

SALVAGING STYROFOAM
When oversized planters require huge heaps of soil, save space and encourage good drainage by layering the pot's bottom half with Styrofoam peanuts. Soil and plants sit snugly on top.

MAPPED OUT
If leaving your car in a hot parking lot, prevent the sun from baking your seats by propping up a fold-out map with your sun visors.

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