Remove burnt residue from a nonstick pan

Peel 2 oranges, cut the skin into small pieces and place in the pan. Add enough water to cover and simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and let it soak all day. Rinse and wipe dry. Citric acid will cut through the grease without damaging the coating of the pan.

Quick fix for shallow car dents

Place a toilet plunger over the damaged area, then pump as you would to unclog a toilet, creating a vacuum seal that will restore metal to its original shape when released.

Messy ashes in fireplace

Place a few sheets of aluminum foil underneath the grates before starting the fire. The foil will collect all the grime from the blaze, and afterward you will only need to fold up the sheets and toss mess in the trash.

Fog-proof swim goggles

Cover the inside of the mask with a thin layer of toothpaste, then rinse with warm water. The paste will leave behind an invisible coat of fluoride, which will dissolve water molecules on contact and prevent vision-blurring condensation from forming.

Toenails stained by dark polish

A dark nail polish stained your toenails with that unsightly yellow and you want to restore their natural shade. Gently scrub your nails with an old toothbrush and whitening toothpaste, using a small circular motion. Rinse with cool water.

Remove hair color from your skin

To erase traces of dye from your hairline, apply a small amount of white non-gel toothpaste to your finger and massage the affected areas until the pigment disappears. Rinse with warm water.

Stains or spots on garage floor

Pour 1/2 cup of cola soda on trouble areas, including grease spills and oil drips. Let the liquid sit for about 15 minutes before hosing down the floor with warm water. Acids will dissolve ground-in grime.

Antique look in photos

To create a sepia-toned look in new pictures, fill a jelly-roll pan with 1/2 inch of cola soda and immerse photos until they reach the desired tone (1 minute or more). Remove pictures from the liquid and dry them with a blow-dryer set on low.