Cleaning soapstone surface

Use a soft cloth or sponge with a few drops of dishwashing liquid or all-purpose cleanser and warm water. Rub with mineral oil every couple of weeks during the first year to help the stone oxidize evenly. Oil every two months after that. Soapstone resists water, chemicals, and acids, so it rarely stains. Small scratches can be removed with fine sandpaper.

Avoid deep stains on natural stones

For granite, apply a penetrating sealer every two to three years; for marble every year; for slate every two years. For limestone, apply a sealer to countertops every year and to floors every two years.

Cleaning natural stones

For granite, limestone, marble, slate or soapstone, use a cloth, sponge, or mop, with a few drops of dishwashing liquid and warm water. Sweep or vacuum surfaces regularly. Rinse and dry with a clean, soft cloth. Avoid abrasive cleansers, ammonia, nonchlorine bleach, vinegar or lemon-based cleansers, since they can scratch, dull, or etch the surface.

Cleaning ceramic tile

For glazed tiles, mop with a mix of one capful of isopropyl alcohol in one gallon of water. For unglazed tile, like terra-cotta, mop with water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Rinse with water and a clean mop (or cloth). Avoid oil soaps or ammonia, which will yellow grout. Avoid vinegar, which will damage grout. For tough stains, use a scraper or putty knife to remove stubborn debris. Use a nylon scrubbing pad dampened with dishwashing liquid to remove stains from grout. Apply grout sealer twice a year to prevent stains.

Boost your immunity before you fly

Yogurt is cultured with lactic acid, which strengthen the digestive system and the entire immune system. Stock up on a brand of yogurt that contains plenty of live cultures, and eat yogurt every day for a few days before you fly. A drinkable yogurt makes a super-healthy and convenient preflight or in-flight snack. If you really dislike yogurt or cannot eat dairy, take a probiotic supplement, but remember to refrigerate it to preserve the live cultures. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially dark leafy greens like kale and brightly, and colored fruits such as berries.

Prevent congestion in a plane

The lack of humidity inside an airplane sucks moisture from the tissues of the nose and mouth, compromising the body's natural defense system. Stock your carry-on with a bottle of nasal saline spray, and use it before you fly to irrigate and moisturize the delicate membranes inside your nose. If you have a cold, take an oral decongestant about 30 minutes before boarding. If you have allergies, take your allergy medication an hour before flying.

Prevent ear pain when taking a flight

Activating the muscles in your jaw helps open up the Eustachian tubes. Pack gum and hard candy so you have something to suck or chew during takeoff and landing. Yawning and swallowing also helps relieve the pressure. If you have this problem frequently, invest in filtered earplugs, which work to gradually equalize the pressure on your eardrums.

Beware the bar when you travel by plane

Alcohol is extremely dehydrating, so drinking prior to or on a flight, combined with the low cabin humidity, lowers your resistance to cold and flu germs. Order a seltzer water or soda instead of alcohol. If your reason for drinking is to relax and sleep, there are healthier alternatives, such as taking melatonin or a sleeping pill or drinking chamomile tea. Most sleep aids take about an hour to work, so take your remedy of choice about 30 to 60 minutes prior to boarding.