A frequent question I receive from my Everyday Cheapskate readers is how to get rid of those ugly white deodorant stains from dark clothing. For most of us, not using a deodorant isn't an option. And switching to a clear deodorant won't work, either. So, what to do about those marks? Who would have thought baby wipes would be just one of the solutions. Read on ...

WIPE OFF DEODORANT STAINS. When my children were in diapers, baby wipes were a great way to remove white deodorant marks from black or dark blue clothes. Now that the diaper stage of our life is past, an old pair of nylons works just as well. Just rub the nylon on the shirt, and watch the white disappear like magic. It's almost fun! — Cheryl, Indiana

STAIN REMOVER FOR HAIR DYE. My mom had her hair done at the beauty salon, and she got hair dye on her blouse. I was just sick about it because the blouse was new. The hairdresser suggested that I spray it with hairspray when I got it home. As soon as we arrived home, I sprayed the stain with hairspray and rubbed OxiClean powder into the stain. Then I threw it into the washing machine with hot water. I really did not have much hope of getting rid of the stain, but when it came out of the washer the stain was gone! Believe me, it was such a relief to have saved my mom's pretty new blouse. — Joan, email

SOUP FROM THE FREEZER. I freeze leftover cooked meat in 1-cup quantities in freezer bags. When I want to make soup, I just add the meat from one bag along with frozen or canned mixed vegetables, salsa or canned tomatoes, and beef or chicken broth. I add my favorite seasonings, bring the soup to a boil, and simmer a few minutes. Sometimes I'll top with shredded cheese before serving. This is a great option for a quick meal during the week.— Cathy, South Carolina

RUG'S SECOND LIFE. When the rubber backing on my bathroom rug disintegrates, I take another rug with the same problem that I've kept and sew them together, back to back. Now I have a double sided rug that I can use in the bathroom or reuse as a small dog or cat bed. Teri, Washington

THRIFTY REED DIFFUSER. When my favorite decorative reed diffuser ran out, I looked for a refill but was shocked at the cost of $8 to $15 for 4 ounces. Instead, I filled the container with distilled water, added several drops of orange, cinnamon or clove essential oils, and sealed and shook the bottle. I then reinserted the reeds. For about $1.50 in materials, I had a freshly refilled reed diffuser. Any essential oil will work. Simply rinse the container with water and rubbing alcohol between refills. Replace reeds every three to four months. — Juli, California

Would you like to send a tip to Mary? You can email her at [email protected], or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2099, Cypress, CA 90630. Include your first and last name and state. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 20 books, including her January 2012 release "7 Money Rules for Life." To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.