Refresh an artificial flower bouquet

If silk flowers are dusty and started to smell bad, tie the stems together with a rubber band, place them in the dryer along with a scented fabric-softener sheet, and tumble-dry (low heat) for 5 minutes.

Keep dog’s water cold

Crush a few fresh mint leaves and toss them into dog’s water dish (be sure your pet likes the taste). The menthol in the herb sends a “cold” signal to the dog’s brain, creating a cooling sensation. Water in bowl will smell better as well.

Lining cake pans

Trace the pan on parchment paper and cut the shape. Fold the paper in half twice (lengthwise, then widthwise), place the point in the center of the pan, unfold the liner and just snip off any excess paper.

Save your gravy

When you are slicing your London broil, place your cutting board inside a large rimmed baking sheet. The juice from the meat will run into the pan, and then you can just pour it straight into a saucepot to make perfect gravy.

Storing winter wear

Plastic bags can yellow your winter woolens. To put them away for next year, cut a small hole in the top of an old pillowcase and slip them over the hanger, keeping your clothes fresh, and dust and mold-free.

Fuss-free molten cakes

To transfer the batter to ramekins without making a mess, first pour the batter into a resealable plastic bag, then snip the corner and squeeze the mixture into each cup.

Keeping beets fresh

Keep the roots fresh by trimming off all but 1 inch of the stems before placing them in a bag and storing them in the crisper.

Beautiful deviled eggs

To ensure that the yolks will be centered, store raw eggs upside down (or heavy side up) in the carton. Since the yolks cannot fall completely to the narrow end, they will settle in the center. Once hard-boiled, peeled and halved, the eggs will be perfect for filling.