From Tori Friedlander in Israel
If you have a problem with static electricity, spray your carpets with a mixture of fabric softener and water. You have to play with the mixture but as I recall, it was 1/4th.

Oriental carpets: for small stains, use a drop of baby shampoo mixed liberally with water and rub. Wipe off with a damp rag.

From April
To keep bicycles clean and shiny longer, spray a light coating of furniture polish and then buff with a dry cloth...dirt just won't stick!

From Sally Blyth in New Zealand
I have found that the first place you put something is where it will often stay (for a while at least, until you have time to find it a new permanent home). So think carefully about where to put new things as their (extended) temporary home may be exactly where you first put it. And beware, once you change that home you may never see the item again! Example: My spare car key spent several months in the tray of baby powders and potions in my son's room, because that is where I first put it when I got it. I finally found it a new more appropriate home. Do you think I knew where it was, when I came to think about it a while later? I had no idea where it could be except the baby potions tray, and I knew I'd moved it from there. I eventually found it (don't remember where) and put it straight back in that tray where it remains today!

From Nancy Rupert in Canada
There is a cleaning book which recommends having a cleaning caddy, filled with essential tools and products.You can clean your whole house in a jiffy by following his method. My caddy is currently filled with lots of junk. :-) But it helps, because you don't have to keep running back and forth for cleaning stuff, and you just make a circuit around your house.

From Rochelle Jourdan in NY
For slow moving sliding doors, run wax or soap down the length of both sides of the track.  It will help it glide much smoother.

I do a lot of cleaning while on the phone. I warn a friend that there will be an odd noise, and then I talk, and get cleaning done! It doesn't seem so bad then.

From Denise
Start big, moving to smaller details.

From Essie Blue
If you get dusty light covers like I do, write down on your calendar quarterly a reminder to throw them in the dishwasher. That way, you don't forget to do it and they just sparkle when you take them out!

When you haven't had time to clean all day, and it's time for hubby to come home. Run and quickly pour some pine-scented cleaning fluid (like Pinesol) down the sink drains and in the toilet. This always results in my husband bragging about how "nice" the house looks because he smells the pine smell and assumes I've been cleaning all day! (grin!)

From Glenda Springer in NY
I am experiencing making this the year of order. I find that other Cancers share the same talent I seem to have which is to create total disorder in the house. I have set up some systems. Basically, as I go around getting dressed or whatever, I am dusting and putting things in place. I am scheduling time during the week to do one type of thing to the apartment, like dust or sweep or mop...just that one thing. The kitchen always requires the most consistent work. I also went to a store and got some decorative baskets, so I have places to put mail and other knick knacks until I have time to deal with them. I feel horrible when my house is a mess. Now I want to feel good in my space so I am making time to work on it even though it is a challenge!

From Kristine Campiola
A mixture of water, rubbing alcohol, and white vinegar will make any tile in your house sparkle!