This tip is from my Aunt Barb. For years, I've been plagued by annoying pantry bugs — grain or flour beetles. I couldn't tell from the online photos. Cleaning and using air tight containers did nothing. They've followed me to new apartments even when I don't bring grain stuff with me.  Some exterminator told me, "Nothing you can do, the eggs are in the flour you buy at the grocery store." He was wrong. Freeze your flour. This is how you get rid of grain beetles

I went online to see if there was scientific merit to her quick tip — and there is. I found out that you can also heat it up to 120 degrees ... but baking flour seems a lot tougher than freezing it for a few days. I believe eHow recommended 4 days. I also do this for things other than flours that randomly seem to get these bugs, rice, pre-made breadcrumbs, etc. Now, to be safe, Classics and Organic Structures might do airtight containers in addition to the freezer solution. But, just doing the freezer thing when you bring stuff home from the store should work for all.

Good for All

Kate became obsessed with the Tide To-Go pens when she was pregnant and made sure I had multiple ones on hand myself.

Last Summer, I went to Provence on vacation with two other families. Beyond the actual travel, it was delightful to be in France with my friends and our kids. We went sight seeing in the morning and then as the kids napped in the afternoon, we'd lounge by the pool. Ah, Provence.

SO, one morning, we're browsing through the open air market in Aix en Provence (or wait, was it St. Remy?). Not important. My friend, Wren bought some delicious blackberries and naturally her 2-year old daughter wanted some. She obliged and then was distracted by the bustle of the market UNTIL her daughted came over to clean her hands on Wren's WHITE jeans. Ay! Disaster. We're miles from home.

Immediately, I check to see if I have my Tide To-Go pen on me and voila, I do. I go to work on her. At first the stain seems to be just partially  going away and I apologize for not being able to eradicate it. BUT, then like 30 minutes later, Wren realizes that the stain was gone. Even I was surprised. Seriously, don't leave home without this little guy. It's a life saver or at the very least a white jeans savior.

Classics, Organic Structures, and Smart Structure (ladies) are the most likely to keep this little guy on hand but if you buy enough of them, even Organic and Smart Freedoms and Funs just might have one on hand in a pinch. Oh and my only complaint is that they do seem to dry out after a while.

Good for All

So, you're getting ready, you've got your outfit on already and darn it all ... you spill some powder on yourself. Before surrendering and changing your outfit, try rubbing it with some pantyhose. But, more importantly than make-up, pantyhose are great for getting white deodorant stains off of clothes. I got this tip from Giella, a friend of mine who has her own make-up line (my favorite product is that she can match any old favorite lipstick/lip-gloss).

I rarely wear pantyhose (and even when it's required, I avoid it like the plague — tall boots with skirts, pants, etc.) Despite my hatred for this undergarment, I always have some on hand because it’s the easiest way to get rid of make-up stains, and because I’m the kind of person who saves bad white wine for possible red wine stains.

So, a few weeks back, I was packing for my friend's wedding and saw that my rehearsal dinner dress had white pit stains (I'd had it tailored but forgot to have it dry cleaned as well). Pantyhose to the rescue!

I think this is an awesome tip for Organic Freedoms because they're the least likely to have a morning routine set-up to prevent make-up from getting all over your clothes. But, as I'm a Classic, I'll say that this has happened to me before because I often don't want to get dressed post make-up as it might smudge, etc.

Now if only someone had a trick for when you're brushing your teeth and dribble toothpaste on your outfit ... ooh, I just had an idea. I think tomorrow's tip might work on that kind of stain. Stay tuned!

Best for Organic Freedoms but Good for All

My friend Elizabeth (a Smart) swears by pouring boiling water repeatedly over offending red wine stains. And when SHE does it, it works. When I do it? Not so much. And unfortunately, I can't store her in my closet and whip her out when someone spills a little red. My secret? Soaking the red wine stain in white wine.

I learned this tip from a Brit that I dated in my early twenties. During a trip to visit him on my last night in London, he accidentally spilled an entire glass of red wine all over a light blue silk shirt of mine. This was after I'd broken up with him so I felt there was a certain Karmic retribution in it. But, he actually saved the day (and the shirt).

We soaked the offending shirt in white wine overnight and then I packed the wine soaked blouse in a plastic bag in my suitcase and travelled on my Virgin Atlantic flight back to NYC — every time I fly Virgin I think, "Why isn't every airline like this?" — and enjoyed more wine. When I got back to the city, I took the shirt in to be dry cleaned and voila, no stain.

So, on to the how to ... I'm going to do it like eHow — where I got today's photo from — writes their "how to's" (plus making lists is also my natural instinct as a Classic)

1. As with any stain, blot, blot, blot. Don't rub (my husband always rubs). B L O T.

2. Liberally soak with white wine.

3. Let sit for a while. I know this will frustrate Funs and Classics looking for precise minutes but sometimes you need to trust your gut and your eyes.

4. Repeat soak if necessary.

5. Dry clean shirt/article of clothing or for rugs/upholstery use your then regular cleaning method for them.

The following is a Cautionary tale for Classics like me: Don't go saving bottles of white wine for "just in case" moments. I did this because I once found myself with a red wine stain and had no white wine on hand. As a result, I started to hold on to unfinished bottles of white "just in case" (nothing scars a Classic into hoarding more than not having something on hand in a pinch)  I've stopped this habit because of what happened when my mom, an Organic Structure, came for a visit.

It never crossed her mind that I'd keep more than one bottle of white wine for cleaning purposes in my fridge — a valid assumption. I didn't realize she was drinking my 2 month old half drunk bottle of cheap white wine that I was saving for just in case I get a red wine stain until she was onto her 2nd glass. Personally, I was a little frightened that she didn't notice how bad it was, but since I have been told I have a barbarian's palate, I really shouldn't tease. (Last time Katie watched Kelly and Mom share a bottle of wine, MOM is the one who had the cojones to send back a bottle which was clearly bad, whereas Kelly would have kept on drinking like a good barbaric Celt.)

Good for All

Just one word, plastic. Ever made brownies and wanted to eat them while they're still warm or make them attractive for a party, only to cut into them and have everything stick to the knife? We've got your solution and it's courtesy of Fred, one of our faithful subscribers, a Classic (Kelly's husband and to Kate's blog followers, her lousy judgmental brother-in-law). And while crumbly, non perfect brownies is probably something that only detail oriented Classics and Funs might obsess about ... everyone can benefit from this 'knowledge' — and I use this term lightly because I realize that imperfect brownies is a First World Problem (a hilarious Facebook® page). The trick to perfect brownies is to use a plastic knife.

No, not some fancy special brownies plastic knife. ANY plastic knife. Even Organic and Smart Freedoms (and Smart Structures) will have a random plastic knife floating around in one of their many junk drawers (even if it's from take-out). And Classics, Funs, Organic Structures all undoubtedly have a home for plastic cutlery.

I did some digging around and found out that Fred wasn't the only one obsessed with perfect brownies. Today's photo is from amysfinerthings.com, who has a whole bit on this topic. When I asked Fred (our household's Chief Brownie Maker), where he got this tip, he couldn't remember. When I pressed further about just how cool the brownies need to be before cutting (because when I make brownies, it's almost always for IMMEDIATE gratification) he said, "I don't know how long I let them sit. But, if you're really desperate, just do small, small cuts." As he spoke, he imitated a cutting action equivalent to what one looks like when playing the game Operation. It takes a steady hand ... with a plastic knife.

Best for Classics and Funs, Good for All

Binder clips to keep your linen/cotton napkins in order. Okay I’m not even a Classic or a Fun, meaning I don’t usually pay attention to details and even I could tell you that these binder clips are going to leave a mark. (And strangely I worry that if you got some water on them by accident they might rust and then stain the napkins) Also, um, why not just organize them together when you put them away! Why would you even need binders?

Using crushed eggshells to clean the hard-to-reach places in bottles and vases. Um, yeah, how does this work exactly? Do I wait till I’m making scrambled eggs to clean all the vases? Or why don’t I just, um, throw them in the DISHWASHER. Novel. Or just use the baby bottle cleaner that sits beside my sink. There IS a better way and eggshells ain’t it.

Lemonade Kool-Aid to clean the lime deposits and iron stains inside your dishwasher. First, you can only use lemonade Kool-Aid and why exactly would you even have lemonade Kool-Aid on hand? I mean, wouldn’t you just have Minute-Maid or Country-Time and do those work just as well? (It says that the citric acid in the mix wipes out the stains, so maybe?) All right, if that’s the case then perhaps this is just a cheaper alternative to whatever lime deposit/iron stain cleaner there is out there? But let me tell you, my dishwashers tend to break down irreparably WAY before they’ve gotten to the lime/iron deposit stage.

It took my Smart husband a bit to acquiesce to this technique because he was worried about the scissors not getting clean enough. But all of you Classics and Funs worry not. They actually design kitchen scissors to separate easily so they can get super clean.

And the uses are endless. Tomatoes, greens, chicken (cooked or raw) meat. I mean, it really is endless. We highly recommend getting special kitchen scissors to work with food. That way all the different types don’t have to fight or worry about bacteria and cross contamination.

Best for All

This is one of those ingenious ideas because you’re not hoarding something you should throw away. You’re coming up with a clever additional use for something that stays in your drawer when curly hair is trendy. Which for Organics and Smarts means they’ll probably forget about this idea. (Sadly, out of sight is out of mind for us.)

So, this will work for Organics and Smarts who notice the detail of wrinkly shirts, and who also are sporting a straight hair style. But y’know the Smarts probably already had their shirts pressed at the dry cleaner, so that leaves Organics, who frankly more than any other type, forget about these details…(But not all! My Organic Structure mom is a stickler for pressed shirts, although she refused to do my Smart Structure dad’s.)

No, this idea is a special clever practical idea for Classics and Funs. But, chances are that you guys have an iron and are good at wielding it. This column of Real Simple’s is especially made for you guys whilst traveling. Our only aim is to prevent the hoarding. Just make sure not to get more than one (like one for travel and one for home use). You only need ONE. Really.

Best for Classics and Funs

At the kids’ parties I get to attend, they usually don’t even OPEN the presents while everyone is in attendance, so it's best to have that card firmly affixed to the present. And if you’re like me and are down to the huge white roll of paper I bought for my kids to draw on, then the whole white backdrop is a great contrast.

So, while this idea from Real Simple's New Uses for Old Things does appear to be a hoarders’ dream, don’t keep more than you can safely tuck away (Classics this means you), and we highly recommend taking those wayward paint chips and stashing them with your wrapping presents gear.

What if you don’t have that stuff all in one place? Use this tip as a call to arms. Start today and gather it all together in one little corner. Throw in some scissors and tape and try to remember to put it back, so it’s always there when you need it. (That’s for you Organics Freedoms and Smart Freedoms.) Everyone else, yeah, we know you’ve got it together.

Oh and if you tend to have a lot of them? Stash a bunch with your silverware. This way the next time you have a dinner party you’ll remember to use them for seat assignments. This might be too wild for you Classics, but it looks pretty cool. Just make sure that the colors match, or that the chips are the same style.

Best for Organics and Funs

It’s a clever idea so I can see Organics of both the organized and spontaneous variety being drawn to this idea. It's homemade, so crafty Classics will adore it, and Funs might already be doing this already. They are probably the type who came up with the idea in the first place (and might just have unstained dishrags).

The only catch is it’s not really a new use for an old thing because, are you going to gift a used/old hand towel? Yeah, I didn’t think so. BUT, having a stash of gift wine and dish/hand towels on hand is a great idea. You could take this idea in a different direction for the host who isn’t a big wine drinker, and buy a bunch of quality olive oil bottles wrapped in the towel.

No matter what your type, go ahead and do this all at once. While Funs aren't adept at advance planning, it is practical and you do best when you get things out of the way when you feel like doing them. This way you can just grab it as you jet out the door to another fabulous party. Organic Freedoms? We know you can pull off the last minute thing (Funs don’t do it! You’ll be late, trust us.) So, if you don’t do it in advance, give yourself a break and simply use it as an opportunity to personalize the gift to the hostess. You know it will make you feel better too.

Smarts? Yeah, pretty soon, I’m sure someone will start marketing this idea and you can just buy it.

Best for Classics, Good for Funs and Organics