I remember looking at the porcelain kitchen sink the day we moved into our home and making this mental note: Must replace sink right away. The problem? The previous owner was a bleach freak, a habit that removed the shiny finish and left the sink dull and susceptible to staining. Not long after, I found a friend -- one who showed me how to remove all stains. As long as it was very white, that finish issue wasn't a problem. It's been 21 years, and my friend and I still are keeping that same sink looking nearly like new. Curious? Read on. …

RUSTY SINK. Here's a great way to get those ugly rust stains out of your porcelain sinks: Use Bar Keepers Friend, a cleaning product available in many supermarkets. Just sprinkle a bit on a wet sponge, and get to work scrubbing. The rust stains will come off like a charm. Just make sure you do a test in a small space first. -- Bill, Michigan

NOTE FROM MARY: Thanks, Bill, for the reminder that Bar Keepers Friend is one of those products I hope I never will have to live without! Besides being in local supermarkets, BKF is also available online and on sale from March 15 through April 15 for "Everyday Cheapskate" readers at www.SoapsGoneBuy.com. To get the $3.50 sale price for a 21-ounce can (regular price: $3.95), you must use coupon code MH350 at checkout.

SPOT THE STAIN.

Before my family members put a spotted item of clothing in the hamper, they tie the arms of the shirt or the legs of the pants together. That's the sign that tells me I need to treat spots on that garment before washing. -- Karen, e-mail

NO-STICK CAKES. I have found that if I grease my cake pans with butter first and then pop them in the refrigerator while I am mixing up the batter, the cake never sticks to the pans once I pour in the batter and bake it. Give it a try! -- Bethany R., Ohio

SLOW DOWN THE DRESSING. When you open a new bottle of salad dressing, instead of ripping off the protective seal, poke a few holes in it with a toothpick. It will be a lot easier to control the flow of dressing. -- Tom W., South Carolina

POTLUCK RECEPTION. I've got a great idea for an inexpensive wedding reception: Make it a potluck. Our friends were delighted to be part of our wedding in a more involved way than being merely spectators. They also outdid themselves in what they brought; their favorite or signature pieces filled the table. -- Miriam K., e-mail

Would you like to send a tip to Mary? You can e-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 17 books, including "Debt-Proof Living" and "Tiptionary 2." To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
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