POLLY'S POINTERS: 1081 Helpful Household Hints for Making Everything You Own Last Longer

Tips on extending the life of everything you possess--replacement costs being what they are. Many of them are time-honored (or up-dated) pointers on clothing and furniture care--with a minimum of reliance on commercial products: ""Fresh urine or other stains left by pets should be immediately doused with club soda""; ""Baby oil will clean stainless steel sinks and leave a clean, sweet smell as well."" But the advice on making simple repairs--in, say, vinyl-covered furniture--could also deter householders from discarding unsightly items; the suggestions for restoring the freshness of foods could keep wilted lettuce or mushy potatoes from going into the garbage; and the miscellaneous information on preventing problems, using less, or reusing almost everything is a consciousness-raising guide to prudent consumership. The author writes a syndicated column of the same name as the title--so this worthy entry should be at least partly pre-sold.