Now Here's a Tip
By JOANN DERSON

 "A friend of mine went away for a month and forgot about a package of ground beef in the fridge. When he got home, the smell was hideous. We tried bleach ... baking soda ... ammonia ... not to mention how many other chemicals and fruits we used. The smell was imbedded. A buddy told me to use newspaper. He said to take eight or more sheets of newspaper and lay a few on each shelf. To my surprise, the next day the odor was gone. It has worked for lunchboxes and coolers, too!" -- T.D. in Pennsylvania

 Common substitution: You can use a tablespoon of lemon juice mixed with enough milk to make one cup for every cup of buttermilk a recipe requires. Let the mixture stand five minutes before use.

 "If you are going on vacation, leave a plastic baggie filled with ice cubes in your freezer. If, when you return, the baggie is filled with a single chunk of ice, you will know that your power has been interrupted long enough to spoil your food while you were away." -- G.L. in Missouri

 Wooden spoons can be handy for more than just stirring. Use a long-handled wooden spoon placed horizontally over the rim of a boiling pot. It will keep the liquid from boiling over.

 "Store your nail polish in the refrigerator to keep it fresh longer -- just like food!" -- A.C. in Washington

 "I always use club soda when making pancakes. Just use the same amount of soda as you would water. The bubbles make the batter fluffier, and the pancakes turn out much lighter. They're delicious!" -- M.O. in New Jersey

Send your tips to Now Here's a Tip, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475 or email JoAnn at letters.kfws@hearstsc.com.

(c) 2006 King Features Synd., Inc.